[Hunter2427]

We had a concrete pad poured and built a retaining wall around it but now wanting to put railing around it with our baby getting bigger and older running around on the concrete it is a big fall off the retaining wall. We are looking to put railing around the pad we would like it on the retaining wall or in the rocks around the concrete. We wish when we started this we would of set post in concrete then put in the back fill and gravel but it’s to late for that unless we would be able to dig a hole and set a post in concrete not sure with it being all gravel as back fill then rocks on top. If I anchor the post of the railing to the retaining wall I’m afraid the stones aren't heavy enough to hold someone from falling off. I’m afraid the wall would just go with them. Any ideas what we could do?

 

[Hunter2427]

What type did you have in mind, aluminum, wood or vinyl are options.
You will want to think about the deck and stairs up to the door too.

We don’t care what type we just want something that isn’t bulky and can still kinda see through.

 

[Hunter2427]

How far does does the river rock go?

The river rock isn’t that deep but after that it is white rock all the way to the bottom and some dirt but not much

 

[Hunter2427]

Short stone columns with glass panels in between

That would be nice but not wanting glass due to dogs. They would have it filthy.

 

[Hunter2427]

Gonna be hard to support stone columns.

Yeah I’m not sure how to set the post into concrete where we want them.

 

[Hunter2427]

I think you have to anchor the posts to the concrete slab.
Take a look at the vinyl railing systems -- no maintenance.

Yeah I was trying to avoid going to the concrete slab just because it would take up room on the slab I was really hoping to get the post set in the rock but not sure if that is possible

 

[Hunter2427]

What exactly is "white rock?"

Just like 1 inch gravel and some bricks and dirt all used as back fill

 

[Hunter2427]

Sure it's possible, just more work. You can also get a post bracket to fit the outside of the slab, might limit the weight of fence you can use. I don't think you'd miss the 4-6" of area.

How would it be possible. I’m ok with more work

 

[Hunter2427]

I was trying to avoid putting the post on the concrete slab

 

[Hunter2427]

These are just screwed down to the deck.
View attachment 700416

Yeah but trying to avoid losing concrete space I know it’s not much but I don’t want to lose any

 

[Hunter2427]

Sorry if this seems insensitive, but there's a reason why walls that small don't require railings. Kids are going to fall; they'll get some bumps, and they'll learn to be careful. If they don't get the bumps to learn from, they'll get hurt much worse later on.

I mean I get that but wanted a railing to so we wouldn’t have to chase the basket ball all the way down the hill of the yard when playing basketball so it would help both things.

 

[Hunter2427]

Yeah I thought about using an auger to get it deep but didn’t know how well that would work in just gravel.

 

[Hunter2427]

You could auger down and put 10" sonotubes in front of the slab, then anchor the posts to those. But its a ton of work and money and I don't think the stone is all the way around. So looks awkward where you don't have stone.

Yeah I thought about using an auger to get it deep but didn’t know how well that would work in just gravel.

 

[Hunter2427]

That makes sense. I'm glad you weren't offended, but I just had to say that. I've known people whose teenagers have gotten seriously injured doing dumb things they didn't realize would hurt, because they grew up in a guarded and padded environment.

If you want to anchor it into the rock behind the wall, you need to be careful with your wording when it comes to anything official - you're putting up a "decorative fence". If you put up a "railing", a "fence", or a "safety fence", it has to be able to withstand impact loads (typically 200 lbs or 50 lbs/ft). With that loading, you'd need to embed the posts or the foundation for the posts a couple feet below the bottom of the wall. Realize that if the posts are anchored just in the rock behind the wall, if an adult or teenager runs into it very hard, the posts will most likely move enough that you'll end up digging out and restacking the wall blocks.

No I understand everyone gets offended easily now days I know that’s the problem we have adults over for games and I can easily see one of us plowing through it so I would need it to be solid just not wanting it on the concrete

 

[Hunter2427]

Now that I paid closer attention to the first picture, I agree.

I looked a a couple of the adjustable mounts, and it appears that the mount is fairly close to the 10' height, and the arms angle down to get it lower, so as long as the door isn't more than 9' high, it should work. It looks as though that door isn't accessible for vehicles, anyway. If that's the case, it be done away with.

Not bad ideas but do need the garage door to park truck and four wheelers in. Thinking about just adding two more rows of blocks and cap it but cementing the two rows and cap together so it is a little stronger

 

[Hunter2427]

Not bad ideas but do need the garage door to park truck and four wheelers in. Thinking about just adding two more rows of blocks and cap it but cementing the two rows and cap together so it is a little stronger

Then for the basketball just add a net that can be takin down when not used between the light posts