Table of Contents
How to Build a Wood Retaining Wall Step 1: Remove Soil and Dig a Trench. Step 2: Prepare the Timbers. Step 3: Drive Rebar Stakes. Step 4: Drill Holes for Spikes. Step 5: Lay the Drainpipe. Step 6: Put the Deadmen and Tiebacks in Place. Step 7: Lay the Remaining Courses. Step 8: Fill With Topsoil.
What kind of wood should I use for a retaining wall?
The best kind of lumber for these walls is Douglas fir pressure treated with preservatives to discourage rot. It will be green or brown in color and rated for earth-to-wood contact. For timber walls, large timbers for can be very expensive, which is why railroad ties are a common alternative.
How do you anchor a wood retaining wall?
How to Anchor Retaining Walls Install the foundation and first three courses of the timber wall with timbers, landscaping screws and a drill. Build a deadman anchor to install every 4 feet down the length of the wall. Unroll a strip of landscape fabric and cut it with scissors to fit against the back of the wall.
What is the cheapest way to build a retaining wall?
What Is the Cheapest Type of Retaining Wall? The cheapest type of retaining wall is poured concrete. Prices start at $4.30 per square foot for poured concrete, $5.65 for interlocking concrete block, $6.15 for pressure-treated pine, and about $11 for stone.
Does a 2 foot retaining wall need drainage?
These walls need a drainage system regardless of the wall height. If there are poor draining soils such as clay behind the wall, there needs to be drainage incorporated the wall system. Clay when wet is very weak, so it is essential to provide a way for water to escape from behind the wall.
How long will a wood retaining wall last?
A timber retaining wall can last a little over a decade, if treated properly. If not maintained, the lifespan of a timber wall is around 3 to 5 years. To keep its fresh look, timber requires serious maintenance. The material will hold up for so many years only if its pressure-treated with chemicals.
Is wood good for a retaining wall?
Wood can be a budget friendly solution for a DIY retaining wall. However, wood is subject to fungal rot, termites, and water damage. When following all of the best recommendations, a wood retaining wall can last up to 40 years. Without proper techniques, a wood retaining wall can fail in as soon as 5 years.
How high can a wood retaining wall be?
Your walls can be as long as you want, but limit the height to 4 ft. Add more terraces as needed to retain higher slopes, stepping them back about 4 ft.
How do you waterproof a wood retaining wall?
One way to protect wood is to use a wood preservative, which forms a tough barrier to for moisture and rot to break down over an extended period. You can apply wood preservative using a paint brush, use a solid insect repellant like creosote or weather sealer.
How many deadmans are needed for a retaining wall?
Install one dead man every 6 to 8 feet around the entire wall. Continue building up the retaining wall, using landscaping screws to secure each timber. Cover the ground in front of the retaining wall with 2 to 4 inches of bark mulch.
How deep should posts be for a retaining wall?
Retaining wall posts should be at least as deep as the amount of soil they will be holding. A good rule of thumb is to halve the height of the wall and then add 4 inches. This is how deep you should place your posts.
Is wood retaining wall cheaper?
The cheapest types of retaining walls are wood and concrete blocks, followed by concrete and stones or bricks. Each material has benefits and drawbacks, including strength, longevity, and attractiveness.
How much does it cost to build a wood retaining wall?
For wood retaining walls, you can expect to pay between $16 and $28 per square foot for a professionally installed wall. Taking on the job by yourself can bring the cost down to as low as $10 per square foot. On the whole, wood retaining walls cost about $19 per square foot.
Can you build your own retaining wall?
Choose a DIY-friendly building material. Retaining walls can be made from wood, bricks, natural stones or concrete blocks. For DIYers, it’s best to use concrete retaining wall blocks, which can be interlocking and are heavy enough to stay in place without cement or other adhesive.
Do I need a Deadman for retaining wall?
Deadman ties are great for ensuring the retaining wall is as solid as possible. We recommend using a deadman railroad tie every 20 feet of your retaining wall. If you are building a retaining wall with the distance spanning less than 20 feet, one dead man railroad tie in the center of the wall is enough.
How do you put rebar on landscape timbers?
To install rebar, drill a hole through each timber, stack the timbers, if necessary, then drive the rebar through the hole and into the ground using a sledgehammer. To prevent rusting, choose epoxy-coated rebar over uncoated material.
How thick should a retaining wall be?
Retaining walls can be tricky to build as they need to be strong enough to resist horizontal soil pressure where there are differing ground levels. One of the things you must get right is the thickness of the wall. It should be at least 215mm thick and bonded or made of two separate brick skins tied together.
Does a 4 foot retaining wall need drainage?
Any reinforced wall or walls over 4 ft. (1.2 m) in height or with slopes or other surcharges above the wall will need a toe drain. In all cases wall rock is located within the cores of the block and a minimum of 12 in. (300 mm) behind the block.
Will a wood retaining wall rot?
Well, almost; wood retaining walls aren’t without their flaws, the worst one being that they are prone to wood rot. The constant contact with wet soil and exposure to the elements puts the wood at risk. The best way to prevent rotting in a wood retaining wall is to treat the wood prior to installation.
How do you keep untreated wood from rotting?
Even though natural weather-resistant wood is the best choice for outdoor exposure, at some point it becomes vulnerable to decay. The only way to properly use untreated wood of any type outside is with the addition of water-repellent preservatives, sealer or paint that contain UV protection.
How do you stop sleepers from rotting in the ground?
To preserve the sleepers further, we would recommend treating them with an exterior wood oil or decking oil, ideally twice a year in Spring and Autumn. This will help to repel water and prevent water ingress, the main cause of wood rot.
