Question
I have a 2-story home with a large deck in the back. It has a above ground
pool built into the center... Around the right side of the house going into to
back yard there are stair stepped large planters that form the access to the
house and deck.. One wall (2"x6" boards 4"x4" posts) is pushing out and
distended and soil is comming out. I plan on removing all of the soil and re-
setting the 4x4 posts (plum) and then refilling.. I am looking for guidance on
what to refill it with and drainage solutions that will prevent water from
sitting in the planter and causing this again... HELP. The over all planter dim
is approx 12' x 7'.. It is a lot to dig out and I want to do it right.

Answer
First. be sure to apply a water proof membrane of 6 to 10 mil plastic to the back of the wall. Staple it above the dirt to the back of the top of the wall. Then install a french drain at the bottom just behind the wall. The drain will pipe the water to a lower part of your yard or at a minimum out through the bottom of the wall. Cover the pipe with gravel. Back fill the wall while adding gravel, being sure to keep a consistent 6 to 12inches of gravel placed against the wall. Compact the soil adequately with a small plate compactor or hand tamp.

You may also want to drill 1.5 to 2" holes every 18 to 24 inches along the bottom of the wall to relieve any built up water that is not handled by the drain or that gets between the plastic and the back of the wall.

Best of Luck. Sean Murphy