Build a Wood Retaining Wall

Building a wood retaining wall can keep your topsoil from washing away down a slope, and it can be turned into a terraced garden for planting anything from vegetables and flowers to small shrubs and trees. A wood retaining wall is relatively simple to build and doesn't require professional skills. You will need some basic woodworking skills and knowledge of basic tools. Consider the following when researching how to build a wood retaining wall.

Steps

1. Decide where you want your wood retaining wall to be. Places where water tends to ooze up or stand are not good choices as the water will rot your wall and ruin it rather quickly.
2. Clear the area where you want to build your wall of any brush or debris and rake it smooth.
3. Cut your 4 by 4 inch (10 by 10 centimeter) posts to the length you want your wall to be plus 18 inches (45.7 centimeters)and set the posts aside.
4. Dig a shallow trench for water drainage between the place where your posts will be and fill the trench with gravel.
   • If you are building your retaining wall out of timber or ties, set and level each timber or tie into place, building up the rows.
5. Dig 18 inch (45.7 centimeter) holes for your posts on each side of the area where your retaining wall will be.
6. Place each post in its hole and pour quick dry cement into each hole so that the posts will stand up straight when the cement has dried.
7. Smooth out the concrete so that it is level with the top of each hole, brace the posts with 2 by 4 inch(5 by 10 centimeter) boards and allow the cement to cure for at least a week.
8. Once the cement is cured, cut your 2 by 6 inch (5 by 15 centimeter) boards to the length between your posts. If your boards are shorter than the length between your posts, cut them so that they sit in the middle of each post.
9. Attach your cut boards on the outside of your posts with carriage bolts.
   • If you are building your retaining wall out of timber or ties, you will need to drill holes and hammer 3/4 inch (1.9 centimeter) reinforcing bar through each side of every joint, as you build up the rows, to fix it to the one below and into the ground.
   • If you are using timber or ties, carefully fill the area behind the wall with dirt and gravel until it is level with the top of the wall.
10. Carefully fill the area behind your boards with soil until it reaches the top of the boards, and pack it down.

Video

Template:Video:Build a Wood Retaining Wall

Tips

• Draw your wall to scale to determine what materials and lumber you will need.
• Drill long holes through several timbers or ties using a heavy duty drill with extensions.
• Drive stakes into the ground to mark off your retaining wall area.

Warnings

• If you are using a heavy duty drill with extensions, avoid applying undue pressure as it can cause the bit to snap.
• Always wear safety goggles and gloves to avoid injury.

Things You'll Need

• 4 by 4 posts, 2 by 6 lumber or timber or ties
• Gravel
• Trowels
• A shovel
• Carriage bolts or reinforcing bar
• Circular saw
• Screwdriver and a drill
• Small sledgehammer
• Rake

Related Articles

• Use Pieces of Broken Concrete to Build a Wall
• Build a Dry Stack Retaining Rock Wall
• Build a Railroad Tie Retaining Wall
• Construct a Block Retaining Wall

Sources and Citations

• http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-build-a-wood-retaining-wall
• http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/outdoor/retaining-walls/wood-retaining-wall/
• http://www.creativehomeowner.com/index.php?pane=project&projectid=chwlk173

See also

• Build a Brick Wall
• Make a Fake Rock Wall
• Render a Wall
• Build a Retaining Wall
• Build a Mortarless Concrete Stem Wall
• Construct a Block Retaining Wall
• Build a Railroad Tie Retaining Wall
• Build a Dry Stack Retaining Rock Wall

What links here

• Build a Home Rock Climbing Wall