Instructions on Building a Wooden Retaining Wall

Old railroad timbers work well for retaining walls.

Retaining walls are often used to hold back earth around yards, driveways, walkways, and buildings. They are usually made out of stone, cement, or wood. Stone and cement are common choices for many people who desire a certain look, but moving stone and cement and building these retaining walls can mean a lot of work and a lot of time. Using wood timbers such as 6-by-6s or old railroad ties can save time and effort, while providing a wall that will last a very long time. Be sure to check whether you need a building permit before beginning your retaining wall.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Level
• Tape measure
• Safety glasses
• Chain saw
• Railroad timbers, 6-inch-by-8-inch-by-8-feet
• Sledge hammer, 4-pound
• Spikes, 8-inch
• Rerod, 3/4-inch thick, 3-feet long
• Drill
• Drill bit, 3/4-inch-diameter-by-12-inches-long

Instructions

1. Dig out the area where you would like to build your retaining wall. The area dug should be 10-inches wide, 6-inches deep, and however long your retaining wall needs to be. Use your level to ensure that the area dug is flat, and level.

2. Lay your timbers flat on their 8-inch side in the area that is dug out. The timbers should be butted up together so there are no gaps between the ends.

3. Put on your safety glasses and use your chain saw to cut a timber in half. You will have two timbers equaling 4 feet. Lay one 4-foot timber on one of the end timbers that are in the area that you dug out. The timber should be laying on its 8-inch side, parallel with the timber it is laying on, and the ends of both timbers should be flush. Hammer the spikes through the top timber into the bottom timber. Use one spike every 2 feet, starting 1 foot from the end.

4. Lay another 8-foot timber on top of the bottom row, so the end is butted up with the 4-foot timber. Hammer the spikes through the 8-foot timber every 2 feet, starting one foot from the end, to secure it to the bottom row. Repeat this process until you meet the end where you will use a 4-foot timber instead of an 8-foot timber. If you desire a retaining wall that is higher than 3 feet, you should drill a 3/4-inch hole every 2 feet through both timbers, and pound your rerod through it so at least 2-feet of the rerod is sunk in the soil. This is to secure the wall from tipping in either direction. Continue adding timbers until you reach your desired height.

5. Drill a 3/4-inch hole every 3 feet along the second and third rows to allow for drainage from rain water runoff. The holes should be parallel with the ground,. Be sure not to hit the rerod or spikes with your drill bit.

References

• eHomeResource.com: Wood Retaining Wall
• Better Homes and Gardens: Wood Retaining Wall: One Way to Tame a Slope.
• Mother Earth News: A Crosstie Retaining Wall