How to Build a Timber Retaining Wall

A retaining wall can be used as a raised planting bed and as a way of leveling an area of a yard. Retaining walls can be constructed from many types of materials, including railroad ties, brick, stone, concrete and even pieces of timber. Building a retaining wall out of timber is going to require using logs or pieces that are the same size.

Things You'll Need

• Timber, 4 to 6 inches in diameter
• Metal rods or rebar
• Sledge hammer
• Shovel
• Drill
• Planer
• Hand-held Grinder
• Wood dowels

Instructions

1. Excavate the bottom edge of a hill or slope where the wall is going to be located. The side of the hill or slope needs to be flat when constructing the wall. The ground where the retaining wall is going to be located will need to be level as well.

2. Insert metal rods or rebar into the ground. Use a sledge hammer to pound the rebar into the ground at least 8 to 10 inches. Insert a rod every 4 to 6 feet depending on the length of the timber that will be used for the wall.

3. Plane the pieces of timber to create a flat surface on each side. A planer with strip a small section off one side of the timer to create a flat surface. This will ensure a clean fit when the pieces of timber are stacked together.

4. Drill holes through each piece of timber to slide over the rebar. Use a pencil to mark the timber where a hole will need to be drilled. Drill additional small holes to insert a dowel to hold each piece of timber together.

5. Place each piece of lumber so that the rebar goes through drilled holes. Create as many sections of the retaining wall that are needed.

6. Cut off excess rebar with the hand-held grinder. Use the grinder to smooth out sharp edges on the rebar.

7. Fill in the area behind the new retaining wall with the dirt excavated earlier to test the wall's strength.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with a lumber yard to see if it can order pieces of uncut timber. Accurate measurements are required when drilling holes for the dowels. The top piece of lumber will only need to be planed on the bottom side. Straight pieces of lumber are needed to create a uniform-looking wall.

• Use eye protection when cutting rebar with the grader.