how to build a small retaining wall with wood

2021/05/21

Build two 2x4 and 1/2-in. Stretch another level line near ground to represent the top of the first course of landscaping timbers. The wall and the soil behind it must remain low. Start by measuring the area for the exact length of your wall, including all sides if there will be more than one- this will determine the materials needed to complete the project. This string follows the path you want your wall to follow. Set the second row of timbers on top of the first course, making sure to stagger end joints by at least 4 feet. Sign up for our newsletter! If you install the boards on the opposite side of the posts, strength is greatly compromised. 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. You'll need two linear feet of 2x6 for each square foot of wall surface area. Save money and make pictures pop by building your own wedding arch out of copper pipes. Shovel about 1 ft. of earth against the slip form and fill it to the same level with gravel, then pull the slip form up and repeat the process until the wall is filled to within 1 ft. of the top. Measure across the width, from one side timber to the other, to ensure the two are parallel; make adjustments, if necessary. The stakes should be equally spaced apart from each other or roughly 2 feet apart on-center, each following the twine. Dig a trench 12 inches deep around perimeter of retaining wall. Sometimes the legs get bumped or stepped on. Then, we filled in behind the lower wall and prepared the hill for the upper wall. For more information on retaining wall backfill materials, check out this post. bolts, washers and nuts (see Fig. Divide the total wall length of each tier by 4 and add 1 to get the total number you need to build. We recommend our users to update the browser. too high. Repeat the process until the bubble stays absolutely level as you rotate the scope. A timber retaining wall is great for reshaping a sloped yard and lending a real identity and presence to your garden area. Install a straight, continuous row of foundation timbers in this manner. About $800 to $1,200 to build this size retaining wall. Establishing good drainage with a layer of gravel is essential for a long-lasting wall. Continue with the next piece. How to Build a Pony Wall (or Knee Wall) as a Room 30' perforated plastic drainage pipe with a 4" diameter. Use a level placed on top of a timber to periodically check your work. 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. The stanchions (post assemblies; see Photo 6 and Fig. Add about 6 inches of -inch stone to trench, then compact the stone with hand tamper. Well demonstrate the assembly, layout, backfilling and anchoring techniques that will make you comfortable tackling this project yourself. Hold a 1-1/2 in. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. Join the party! 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. For this project, we need twelve 8-foot 6x6s to build a 2-foot tall wall. 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. Make sure the row is level across the entire length of the wall. You dont have to dig the wall in. Its tempting to rent your own skid steer and do the excavating yourself. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. 57 stone) behind the timbers. With your retaining wall now complete, you can paint or stain it to your taste. Dig out a T-shape trench into the hillside behind the wall and lay in the dead man. Place stakes at either end of the front edge of the wall. Pressure-treated boards are then nailed across the backs of the posts, much like boards on a fence. Alternatively, use a chainsaw to cut the timber. One of the keys to a successful wall is a level foundation. Screw the 2x8 top caps to the top of the stanchions with two 3-in. If you're hardy and have lots of time on your hands, you could do all the excavating and backfilling by hand, but that's a huge job, especially for this design. By submitting your email, you agree to our. The bottom edge of this row will be about 2 inches below ground level. Daub the cut ends of the lumber with wood preservative.

After the upper wall was finished, we backfilled and graded the entire area surrounding the walls to get it ready for sod. For walls between 0-2 ft, dig an 8-inch minimum depth. One cubic foot of sand for each post footing. 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. Nail two shelves on the top of the header, one on each side of the brace (see Photo 6 and Fig. A for Fastening positions). If the next stake is 56-1/2 in., its 1-1/2 in. Copyright 2022 This Old House Ventures, LLC. Make sure that this groove is level from end to end by laying down one of the boards with the bubble level on top. Fasten the dead man to the retaining wall with two landscaping screws. Follow our step-by-step to find out how to build a fence. Tired of searching through random blog posts and YouTube videos to learn about retaining walls? Use a hand saw to cut off any excess in order to make the ends of the wall even. Then, remove the ends of the boards, leaving a 3-inch overhang. The very earth thats the enemy of most retaining walls actually works with this design to give it strength. 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. Use a foam paint brush* to apply the preservative. The flat-bladed shovel or spade is the ideal width for scraping down areas of the groove or replacing soil in other areas. Be careful not to let soil drop into the holes. Get out the Yellow Pages and start calling lumberyards.

*Amazon Affiliate If you use these links and make a purchase, I may be compensated. Calculate the timber you'll need to buy. Before beginning, have a plan for all the soil you'll be removing.

Again, attach each row to the row below it using 60d spikes (Image 1). Stake out the area where you plan to build the wall. Secure this second row to the foundation row with 60d spikes, using the pre-drilled holes. Planning a Retaining Wall: Whats Best For Your Home. Spruce up your outdoor space with products handpicked by HGTV editors. Ready to get your garden started? 10 Common Things a Homeowner Can Be Fined For, Do Not Sell My Personal Information CA Residents, 5-1/2 in. Lay a length of 4-inch-diameter perforated pipe on top of the stone, then cover the pipe with more stone. This will help the retaining wall look vertical after completing the wall. With the trench dug and leveled, you're ready to install the foundation row of timbers. increments so the 26 wall planks would continue to neatly stack at these transitions (Photo 10).

So, in our case, that's 1 foot wide for a 2-foot high wall (Image 3). off the table. Always consult your local utility company before digging. Repeat the process, building subsequent rows and offsetting the timbers so that the ends of every row are in alignment. The clean crushed rock will remove water from under the wall helping to prevent water damage to the timbers. 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. Build This Soothing Fountain in an Afternoon. First you have to make the lower and upper stanchions line up exactly. 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. Get all the details on how to paint kitchen cabinets in this step-by-step guide. Starting at one end of the trench, place a 6x6 on the ground. raised beds retaining walls bed curved railway gardens flower garden sleeper sleepers This means you need special accommodations to ensure water does not build up behind the wall. Now you can take advantage of the newly leveled area of your yard. When you get into big retaining walls, you have to move a lot of dirt. 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. Build the slip form by cutting a 2-ft. x 3-1/2 ft. piece of plywood and nailing a 2-ft. length of 2x4 at each end to provide the space for the gravel. We're using 2x12 planks cut at 45-degree angles and fitted together in a point.

Most lumberyards will special-order it and charge more for the upgrade. This string follows the path you want your wall to follow. Center the 2x12 cap on the top timber, allowing a 3-inch overhang on both sides. 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. Now you can take advantage of the newly leveled area of your yard. Mount the scope on the table and snug up the nut that holds the scope down. A special steel strap (Photo 2) ties the 45-degree brace to the top of the posts to keep everything straight up and down. Then stake the dead man to the soil with two rebar stakes. Back-fill the rest of the cavity with soil. The copper solution effectively replaces the preservative that was injected into the wood at the wood mill. x 3/8-in. Because the copper in the pressure treatment is corrosive, use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel nails/screws. Instead, post holes are dug in the same way as you would dig holes for fence posts. 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. Three green treated 10-ft. long 2x6s for the below-grade components for every two stanchions. A) have two short boards underneath the post to prevent settling. These alternative coatings are fine for an above ground deck, but they do not provide the necessary corrosion protection needed for pressure treated wood that is in contact with the ground. Fast-setting concrete sets in about 30 to 40 minutes. retaining wood walls timber treated landscape This project will produce a straight, 16-foot long, wood retaining wall that is 24 inches high. Repeat the process, building subsequent rows and offsetting the timbers so that the ends of every row are in alignment (Image 3). After compacting the foundation, place the base material. For durability, use only pressure-treated lumber rated for ground contact. The hole for the four-by-four posts should be about 12 inches in diameter. Attach each row of timbers to the one below using 3/8x12 galvanized nails*, 12 stainless steel screws*, or 12 ACQ approved coated screw*. Staple landscape fabric onto the backside of the wall before backfilling. 2022 Warner Bros. Excavate the bottom of the slope to create a level base for the wall. Wading in the water in a backyard meant having a massive swimming pool or settling for a scant hot tub. For bulkhead spans longer than 4 ft., nail a vertical 2x6 stiffener to the backside of the wall planks. One brown treated 8-ft. 2x6 for every post. If you need more than one plank to cover the length of the wall, cut them on a 22-degree angle to fit them together. Set a timber in the trench and check it for level. Pressure-treated lumber, specially made for this type of wall, is readily available in home improvement centers. Do not use electroplated (or zinc plated), uncoated, painted, or other type of coating unless it is rated for ACQ pressure treatment. To pin the timber in place, use an 18-inch piece of rebar driven into the soil with a 2-pound sledgehammer (Image 3). Run a 3-in or 4-in perforated pipe behind the wall and outlet every 30 to 40 ft. Plan an outlet for the pipe the lowest points on the wall. Starting at one end of the trench, place a 6x6 on the ground. Make sure that you are installing the boards on the slope side of the posts. A quarter pound of hot-dipped galvanized 16d nails for fastening the 2x6 planks on the back of the posts. Slip the first bulkhead plank into the stanchion recesses, then level and nail through the outside corners of the 2x6s. We filled the walls all the way to the top, and after a couple of weeks, the dirt had settled almost an entire foot. Working one post at a time, use the laser level to make sure that the post is aligned perfectly plumb. Dig 4-in. A low wood retaining wall does not need unwieldy tie-backs dug back into the slope, like many of the four-by-four timber retaining walls.

Nail the hanger onto the post with joist hanger nails and tack the brace to the header with two 3-in. You should now have a total of eight stakes in a perfect line, each 2 feet away from its neighboring stake. Then push that row down into place and nail. Water can rapidly wick upward through the wood and damage the entire retaining wall. Pour 4 inches of gravel into the bottom of each post hole. Use two 3-in. If soil is used as a back-fill, it will become water-logged and excessively heavy, potentially collapsing the retaining wall. Drill two holes at 4-ft apart on each timber on the bottom row. (You'll be anchoring the others to it.) Follow Photos 10-12 for a detailed how-to. Also, set each row of timbers with a 1/2-inch setback from the one below. Tack the second 2x6 post member to the 2x4 with three 3-in. Tour This Renovated 220-Year-Old Farmhouse, With a wraparound porch and oversize windows that frame the views, an updated rear addition embraces its pastoral settingand readies a well-loved, almost 220-year-old farmhouse for another century of family life, A Suburban Lot Turns into Magical Garden Rooms, How to Install a Water-Saving Drip-Irrigation System, Backyard Renovation: From Dirt Patch to Perennial Paradise. Add planks, alternating the joints behind posts for a stronger wall. Offset the joints as you install the second row. Tamp to a level base. Place the posts in each hole. Some materials can be used to create curves, but a retaining wall made of timber will be straight. Make the trench about 8 inches deep. If youre building a wall with only a couple of 4-ft. sections, you can get away with using a 4-ft. level, but for a longer wall, rent a builders level. Space the nails or screws every 2-ft along the timber. To accomplish this, tape 6 quarters on one end of your torpedo level. This helps the stability of the retaining wall. This wall is easier and more forgiving than any deck design. The gravel promotes drainage along the bottom of the wall. Home Outdoors Yard & Garden Structures Retaining Wall. To use a circular saw, you will need to cut one edge, rotate the timber, cut again, and continue this until you have complete sawn through the timber. Level the tops of the stakes with a builder's level. Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds. After installing the third course of timbers, make a T-shape dead man (tie-back) from two short lengths of landscaping timber. When you get to the top of the wall, place filter fabric above the drainage stone. You can use 8-ft., 12-ft. or even 16-ft. lengths. A single-tier wall would require only two sessions with the loader. How to Build a Freestanding Garden Trellis, How to Build a Bocce Ball Court for Hours of Fun in Your Own Backyard, How to Build a Small Raised Bed That Doubles as a Bench, How to Build a Retaining Wall With Blocks, How to Build Your Own Floating Wood Deck With Concrete Blocks. Dig a trench that is at least 12-inches wide. Pre-drill holes for the spikes about every 8 inches. Looking through the scope, youll see crosshairs that will tell you the exact height of whatever is being measured (see Photo 7) relative to a benchmark, or starting point. retaining walls building terraced garden planter planters construction sloped landscaping sleeper When the bottom row of timbers are in place, use a power drill and a spade bit to drill two pilot holes down through the top of the timber about 4 feet apart (Image 2). Nail the two-by-eights to each post with two 16d nails, nailing through the slope-side of the boards and into the posts. Find a Course Now! This Old House landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows how to construct a wood-timber retaining wall to create a play area. Leave no gap between the timbers. Set the second stanchion 3 ft. 9-3/4 in. Add 2 inches of gravel to the groove where the wall will rest. You'll end up with a hill of hand-shoveled dirt that traps the gravel against the wall. plywood slip forms to allow you to backfill with a thin layer of gravel behind the wall. Build a 90-degree assembly jig from 2x4s (shown in blue) to keep the stanchions square while you nail. Extend the fabric up the back of the timbers and attach with construction adhesive. nails and bolt the assembly together with 5-1/2 in. Center and nail two footers to the bottoms of the post and header. Place a minimum of 12-inches of drainage stone (a clean crushed rock such as No. This, combined with the clean crushed stone used for the base, will help the water drain underneath the wall. Leave the scrap lumber stakes in place until the concrete it is set before moving onto the next post. Slip in the planks that fit behind the brace before installing the row directly below it. The holes should be the same diameter as the rebar. Give your kitchen a facelift this weekend with a little elbow grease, some 220-grit sand paper and a lot of epoxy paint. 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. The length of the rebar should be at least 2-ft. Drive the rebar through the holes with a sledge hammer. Learn how to build a simple dry-stacked stone wall and patio. Use a hand saw to cut off any excess in order to make the ends of the wall even (Image 2). nails for each. Install a pair of homemade slip forms (Photo 14), then shovel in a thin vertical layer of gravel between the wall and the backfill dirt. Dont waste your time and money! Extend the filter fabric at least 6-inches past the drainage stone. When the bottom row of timbers are in place, use a power drill and a spade bit to drill two pilot holes down through the top of the timber about 4 feet apart. Dig a foundation trench for the first row of timber (Image 2). 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. Place the first row of timbers directly on the crushed rock base. Square each stanchion to the mason line with a carpenter's square. 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. Even a small retaining wall requires excavating with a shovel, transporting stone and wrestling with heavy timbers.