What You Should Know About Wooden Retaining Walls

Did you know that the US has more museums than McDonald’s? One such museum is The Hammerstein House located in Hollywood, Florida. The house was constructed in 1935 and it stands to date. The owners donated the house in 1980 for it to be used as a museum.

This house is constructed in the famous Mediterranean revival style and is a sight to behold. It boasts of longevity and class. You have the chance to boast in a similar way if you follow the tips below for retaining walls in your yard:

Basics of Low retaining wall

Wood is great for low retaining walls as it is easily affordable compared to other materials. But be careful as you build retaining walls that you don’t go past your local government’s limits. Once you’ve passed that hurdle, here is the perfect way to build your wall:

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. Nor does this wall rely on sheer weight, plus a slight tilt, to hold back the slope, as do masonry walls.

Instead, post holes are dug in the same way as you would dig holes for fence posts. Pressure-treated boards are then nailed across the backs of the posts, much like boards on a fence.

The wall and the soil behind it must remain low. 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.  Read more from The Spruce…

Consider using strong wooden railroad ties

Wooden railroad ties are rectangular wooden structures used to support railway lines and keep them separated correctly. The ties have gone through a wood preservation process ensuring they can be used long term. Their hardness and strength make them the perfect wood for retainer walls.

Railroad ties can make a great short height retaining wall if you can find them. Functionally, railroad tie walls are built just like a timber wall. Railroad ties are impregnated with creosote, a known toxin that leaches into the soil. Remember, the railroad ties that you buy have reached the end of their life for supporting trains, and there is no good way to determine how much longer they will last in a retaining wall. Read more from DIY retaining Wall…

How do you protect the wood from rotting?

But before you go and start building, you need to protect your wood. Wood is cheap but it can be expensive long-term if it keeps rotting. But don’t fret yet. There are proven methods that extend the life of the wood. For example, railroad ties go through preservation processes to extend their use. This is what makes them perfect but here’s what you can do by yourself:

One way to protect wood is to use a wood preservative, which forms a tough barrier 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.

You can also stain the wood and use a sealant so that it is finished well and protected from bad weather. An outdoor-friendly wood stain should do the trick as it will help your retaining wall withstand extreme heat or cold as best as possible. A proper sealant adds another protective layer between your wall and the contrasting weather conditions. Just make sure to do your staining and sealing on a clear enough day, using a paintbrush or a roller to apply the stain before applying the sealant. Read more from Livos…

Building retaining walls can be a difficult task but also very rewarding. But in essence, the professional hand is also very important. You can call the EPS Landscaping company for your retaining wall needs. Call us today.