how to build a small retaining wall with wood

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how to build a small retaining wall with wood

2022.07.31
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how to build a small retaining wall with wood

Follow Photos 5-9 for a detailed how-to. Then stake the dead man to the soil with two rebar stakes. Build the next row, remembering to stagger the timbers. If there is no convincing you of building your retaining wall with a 1/2-inch offset, then batter the timbers toward the backfill side by 5-degrees. It's vital to back-fill with gravel and not with soil or even a combination of soil and gravel. This will help the retaining wall look vertical after completing the wall. Youll have a lot of work to redo if youre unknowingly using a scope thats not true. (It's impossible to put them in later.) x 3/8-in. Make sure that this groove is level from end to end by laying down one of the boards with the bubble level on top. We're using 2x12 planks cut at 45-degree angles and fitted together in a point. Join the party! A timber retaining wall is great for reshaping a sloped yard and adding a real identity and presence to your garden area.

A timber retaining wall is a cost effective option for flattening out your property. Order the 2x6s in multiples of 4 ft. so the splices will land behind the 4-ft. spaced posts. Pressure treatment only extends an inch or so into the wood. Pack the hole with sand, then smooth it with a flat board. Use scrap lumber for stakes to hold it in place. A). We built the exposed surfaces of this wall with brown pressure treated lumber and below-grade members with less expensive green treated lumber. A) have two short boards underneath the post to prevent settling. Make adjustments to keep the timbers level and straight (Image 1). This string follows the path you want your wall to follow. However, this wall will easily last a few decadesespecially if you brush or dip the cut board ends with wood preservative (Photo 4). In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to build a wood retaining wall with timber to create a play area. Ready to get your garden started? Shovel dirt over the end of the header to help lock the wall in place. Drill a series of 9/16-inch-diameter holes in the first-course landscaping timbers. galvanized joist hanger nails. This wall is easier and more forgiving than any deck design. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. Build This Soothing Fountain in an Afternoon. Hold a 1-1/2 in. A builders level has to be absolutely level to give accurate readings. Mount the scope on the table and snug up the nut that holds the scope down. Use a carpenters square or a 4-ft. square to extend a straightedge to line up the first upper stanchion with the first lower stanchion. Pressure-treated lumber, specially made for this type of wall, is readily available in home improvement centers. First we dug the lower level back 5 ft. behind the face of the wall, then installed the lower wall. The gravel promotes drainage along the bottom of the wall. A for Fastening positions). In this case, the benchmark is the first footing. For bulkhead spans longer than 4 ft., nail a vertical 2x6 stiffener to the backside of the wall planks. This string follows the path you want your wall to follow.

Place a minimum of 12-inches of drainage stone (a clean crushed rock such as No. As long as the height of the retained soil stays fairly low, you can build another type of wood retaining wall that uses lighter weight dimensional pressure-treated lumber. hex head bolts with 2 washers and a nut (6 sets). Give your kitchen a facelift this weekend with a little elbow grease, some 220-grit sand paper and a lot of epoxy paint. We rented one and spent seven hours doing what a professional could have done in an hour and a half at a much lower cost.

The base of the retaining wall should be half the wall's height.

A timber retaining wall is great for reshaping a sloped yard and lending a real identity and presence to your garden area. Heights over 24 to 30 inches will result in too much pressure against the back of the wall, and the wall may eventually bend over and fail. retaining wood walls timber treated landscape Dig a trench that is at least 12-inches wide. Find out how to paint a tile backsplash with this step-by-step guide and shop everything you need to get started from our comprehensive materials list. Nail the header onto the bottom of the vertical 2x6 (flush with the 2x4) with two 3-in. What Is the Optimal Temperature for a Greenhouse? Because the copper in the pressure treatment is corrosive, use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel nails/screws. Instead, it gets its soundness from the inherent strength of a rigid triangle assembly and the dirt thats piled behind it. Position the other stanchions by measuring from the first stanchion (see Photo 8) and pounding a stake in the center of each location a few inches back from the line.

When you get into big retaining walls, you have to move a lot of dirt. Place stakes at either end of the front edge of the wall. The bottom edge of this row will be about 2 inches below ground level. With wood retaining walls, the rule of thumb is that the height of the soil you are holding back should roughly equal the depth of the post holes. Install a straight, continuous row of foundation timbers in this manner. While the faces and factory-cut ends of pressure-treated wood are protected, the ends of site-cut wood are not protected. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. To pin the timber in place, use an 18-inch piece of rebar driven into the soil with a 2-pound sledgehammer (Image 3). Use a level placed on top of a timber to periodically check your work. Yet retaining walls that use masonry retaining wall blocks or those made from thick timbers can be difficult to build because of the overly heavy materials. Instead of making the distance 192 inches (16 feet), you'll be making it 186.5 inches to account for the width of the two end posts if the wall is going to be longer than 16 feet. The holes should be the same diameter as the rebar. Stretch another level line near ground to represent the top of the first course of landscaping timbers. In the next post, we will go over timber walls greater 2-ft and how to install deadman anchors. The gravel will help water drain away and prevent premature rotting of the wood. Pre-drill holes for the spikes about every 8 inches. Build two 2x4 and 1/2-in. With your retaining wall now complete, you can paint or stain it to your taste. The wall and the soil behind it must remain low. nails and bolt the assembly together with 5-1/2 in. Then, ensure the timbers are completely level along the length of the timber by using a 4-ft level. Deane is a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board. Use a hand tamper to compact the bottom of the trench. It should be well away from the wall so it wont be disturbed during construction. All rights reserved. We have put together all the information you need through lessons, videos, helpful links, material lists and even drawing programs for your specific wall type. Secure this second row to the foundation row with 60d spikes, using the pre-drilled holes. With your retaining wall now complete, you can paint or stain it to your taste. Figure out lumber quantities by first determining how many stanchions you need. With your tape measure, make sure that each hole is 28 inches deep. We recommend our users to update the browser. Extend the fabric up the back of the timbers and attach with construction adhesive. Then, remove the ends of the boards, leaving a 3-inch overhang. A quarter pound of hot-dipped galvanized 16d nails for fastening the 2x6 planks on the back of the posts. Set up wooden stakes and nylon strings to represent the height and perimeter of the retaining wall. Nail one end of the strap to the end of the 2x6 brace, filling all the holes with 1-1/2 in. You should be able to spread out one bag of gravel for every two holes (or four bags of gravel between the eight holes). But you may have to do a little detective work to find a supplier. Install one dead man every 6 to 8 feet around the entire wall. If your lumberyard doesnt carry brown, use green for all the parts and stain any exposed wood after the wall is up. x 3/8-in. Set the bottoms first, then plumb them. Retaining walls also keep soil and vegetation away from established structures. Tamp to a level base. By submitting your email, you agree to our. One of the keys to a successful wall is a level foundation. A timber retaining wall can be a great feature for your backyard project. Because the stanchions extend into the hill 4 ft. behind the wall, it's necessary to dig out 4 ft. behind the entire wall level with the footings. You need to dig far enough to give yourself enough room to work on the retaining wall. Both the green and the brown wood used in this wall are rated for ground contact (not for below grade or foundation use). You dont have to dig the wall in. After you backfill, the dirt will settle significantly. Pour -inch stone behind the wall, then drape the excavated hillside with landscaping filter fabric. A good path not only tells you where to walk, it sets the mood for your landscape. Extend the filter fabric at least 6-inches past the drainage stone. By being installed on the slope side, the boards are able to press against the posts in reaction to pressure from the slope. nails at two opposite corners. raised beds retaining walls bed curved railway gardens flower garden sleeper sleepers You should now have a total of eight stakes in a perfect line, each 2 feet away from its neighboring stake. Find a Course Now! We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Use a foam paint brush* to apply the preservative. The top row of boards should be flush with the tops of the posts. Mark the 2x4 with the proper spacing and tack it to the other stanchions.

Pound six more stakes between the two end stakes. Pour 4 inches of gravel into the bottom of each post hole. Then, stake the timber in place by using a small sledgehammer to drive 4-foot-long rebar spikes through the holes and into the ground. Before beginning, have a plan for all the soil you'll be removing.

These walls also lean out and fail over time. Instead, post holes are dug in the same way as you would dig holes for fence posts. Then we leveled out the earth by hand and used wheelbarrows to fill the rest with high-quality topsoil for the plantings. Run the line from one stake to the next, pulling it tight. It'll keep the wall planks in line and add strength to the top cap in case someone uses it for a step. 57 stone. When you get to the top of the wall, place filter fabric above the drainage stone. Because the grade of this yard has a slight slope that will promote water runoff, we can skip this step on this project, but we will add gravel for drainage and back fill with dirt. With your shovel, follow the line and dig out a groove about 5 inches deep where the retaining wall will rest. Treat any cut edge with a paintablecopper based wood preservative*. Drive the tripod tips into the ground with your foot until the table is fairly level. At the same time, the more soil you remove, the more you need to replace with gravel backfill. Note: Many retaining walls are built without offsetting each row. Hire the pro. Make the trench about 8 inches deep. Taller walls require a different type of structure. One gallon of wood preservative for all cut ends. Now you can take advantage of the newly leveled area of your yard. Add classic charm and curb appeal to your yard with a DIY garden fence that's easier to build than you might think. So, in our case, that's 1 foot wide for a 2-foot high wall (Image 3). For more information on retaining wall backfill materials, check out this post. To finish the project, we round the corners with a simple 45-degree cut (Image 4). Plumb and brace the first stanchion. We have put together all the information you need through lessons, videos, helpful links, material lists and even drawing programs for your specific wall type. This system allows you to step up along the primary slope as well as up the slope. Add about 6 inches of -inch stone to trench, then compact the stone with hand tamper. Once you have all the timbers in place (and backfilled), add a top cap. Find inspiration for your retaining wall design from these images of stone, concrete, timber and other types of retaining walls that make a dramatic impact in the landscape. Walls more than 4 feet tall may require professional installation. Center the 2x12 cap on the top timber, allowing a 3-inch overhang on both sides. Use a hand saw to cut off any excess in order to make the ends of the wall even (Image 2). Measure across the width, from one side timber to the other, to ensure the two are parallel; make adjustments, if necessary. Alternatively, use a chainsaw to cut the timber. If upper tiers will rest on earth thats been disturbed from building a lower wall, you might have to wait as long as six months for the soil to settle naturally, especially in dry weather. Two walls required double that number, or 22 stanchions. The length of the rebar should be at least 2-ft. Drive the rebar through the holes with a sledge hammer. Starting at one end of the trench, place a 6x6 on the ground. Before you begin digging, add a guide string. One brown treated 4-ft. 2x4 for every post. It can be used to construct raised flower beds, to fill in low spots in your yard or to grade around your foundation. retaining capping sleeper As we learned in this post, all wood in a timber retaining wall must be pressure treated to UC4A or UC4B standards (UC4B preferred). A single-tier wall would require only two sessions with the loader. If the next stake is 56-1/2 in., its 1-1/2 in. Nor does this wall rely on sheer weight, plus a slight tilt, to hold back the slope, as do masonry walls. Cut the first row of planks to fit between the headers, then nail the boards into each stanchion with two 16d galvanized nails. Cap the wall with a 2x8 for a finishing touch if you wish. Follow Photos 10-12 for a detailed how-to. Use a deadblow or small sledge hammer to adjust the timbers. Building a wood retaining wall helps to reshape slopes on your property to create level areas for driveways, gardens, paver patios, children's play areas, and decks. Dig 4-in. For durability, use only pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact. How to Build a Treated-Wood Retaining Wall. Attach each row of timbers to the one below using 3/8x12 galvanized nails*, 12 stainless steel screws*, or 12 ACQ approved coated screw*. The base of the retaining wall should be half the wall's height. Set a timber in the trench and check it for level. Rotate the scope until its directly over two of the four adjusting nuts and twist the nuts until the bubble is centered in the vial. Check the vial frequently during the day to make sure it stays level. Compact the base material using the hand tamper. Nail the hanger onto the post with joist hanger nails and tack the brace to the header with two 3-in. Just remember: If a stake reading is a larger number than the benchmark, the stake is too low; if its a smaller number, its too high. Use UC4B pressure treated wood, install clean crushed aggregate on all surfaces that touch the wood, pin the bottom row of timbers, and coat all cut edges. Check out more information on preparing the foundation here. Slide the form up until the gravel is within 1 ft. of the top of the wall. Figure out how many stanchions you need (See Ordering the lumber and hardware below), and assemble them in your garage (Photos 1-3). Set additional stanchions along the string line. Use an impact driver to fasten the second course to the first with landscaping screws. Starting at one end of the trench, place a 6x6 on the ground. An outlet in the middle will require a hole in the timbers. So, you will be digging down 24 inches to account for the depth of the post, plus another 4 inches for a bed of landscape gravel. Vertical wood walls also look like they are leaning out, even if they are built straight. For walls between 0-2 ft, dig an 8-inch minimum depth. bolts, washers and nuts (see Fig. Excavate the bottom of the slope to create a level base for the wall. Get all the details on how to paint kitchen cabinets in this step-by-step guide.

Get out the Yellow Pages and start calling lumberyards. Start at a corner or structure that you are abutting against. Find out how to build a retaining wall with this step-by-step. Use a torpedo level to level the timber from front to back. Even so, it's usually best to let the concrete fully harden for at least four hours. Home Outdoors Yard & Garden Structures Retaining Wall. For each 40-ft. section, we needed 10 stanchions plus one for the end, making 11 for each wall. Working one post at a time, use the laser level to make sure that the post is aligned perfectly plumb. You dont have to be a master carpenter to build this retaining wall. We stepped our wall in 5-1/2 in. Adjust the string to minimize extra digging. Stone paths offer a practical route for foot traffic from the sidewalk or driveway to your front door and along the side or back of the house.

Follow our step-by-step instructions to construct these easy, unique raised beds for flowers, vegetables and more. If soil is used as a back-fill, it will become water-logged and excessively heavy, potentially collapsing the retaining wall. The cap is strictly cosmetic and doesn't add to the structural integrity of the wall. Water can rapidly wick upward through the wood and damage the entire retaining wall. If you don't use the gravel and you live in a frosty climate, frozen soil can grab hold of the wall, lift it out of position, and permanently warp it. Install a final row of boards along the bottom, using two-by-six boards. Leave no gap between the timbers. footings around each stake, pack each footing with sand, and smooth the tops even with the top of the stake. Save money and make pictures pop by building your own wedding arch out of copper pipes. How to Build a Pony Wall (or Knee Wall) as a Room 30' perforated plastic drainage pipe with a 4" diameter. Three green treated 10-ft. long 2x6s for the below-grade components for every two stanchions. Be careful not to let soil drop into the holes. Repeat the process until the bubble stays absolutely level as you rotate the scope. For each stanchion, order the following hardware: Six sets of 5-1/2 in. After the upper wall was finished, we backfilled and graded the entire area surrounding the walls to get it ready for sod. If you opt for it, span 12-ft. 2x8s over the posts and secure them to each post with 3-1/2 in. structural retaining engineering welford One brown treated 8-ft. 2x6 for every post. Establishing good drainage with a layer of gravel is essential for a long-lasting wall. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. Place stakes at either end of the front edge of the wall. thick block against the header to fur it out for squaring. Drop in and nail the rest of the bulkhead planks. Before you can begin digging, add a guide string. Follow our step-by-step to find out how to build a fence. Wading in the water in a backyard meant having a massive swimming pool or settling for a scant hot tub. 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Get our best gardening advice and outdoor ideas delivered straight to your inbox. Check with your local permitting office for information about recommended retaining wall dimensions. Calculate the timber you'll need to buy. Enough linear footage of brown treated 2x8 to cap the walls ordered, in any multiple of 4 ft. Estimating the number of 2x6 planks for sheathing the wall is easy. The hole for the four-by-four posts should be about 12 inches in diameter. They will mark the location of any underground services in your project area. Watch every step of this retaining wall build. The bit should be the size of the rebar. Pre-drill holes for the spikes about every 8 inches. The base material must consist of at least 4-inches of clean crushed rock such as No. *Amazon Affiliate If you use these links and make a purchase, I may be compensated. Set the first post on the sand footing and adjust the stanchion until it's plumb and roughly square to the direction of the wall face. Dig a foundation trench for the first row of timbers. It took three separate sessions with the loader to dig out and backfill our double-tier wall. Repeat the process, building subsequent rows and offsetting the timbers so that the ends of every row are in alignment. Wear a mask to avoid breathing in any dust from cutting pressure treated wood. A path made of stepping stones is a simple, inexpensive way to add charm to your landscape. The construction method used is suitable only for low walls of a maximum of 30 inches. If you install the boards on the opposite side of the posts, strength is greatly compromised. from the first stanchion (center to center, not the space in between) and all the others at 4-ft. increments. Check out our specialized courses! The timbers shall be 6x6 or 8x8. Set the second stanchion 3 ft. 9-3/4 in. Pull the filter fabric over the stone-covered pipe. Always consult your local utility company before digging.