- Level and Tamp Down the Area. First, we leveled the area where to wall was going to be. Actually, it is slightly sloping down away from the building.
- Cut the Area to Make a Snug Fit for the Railroad Ties. ...
- Add in a Layer of Gravel. Once you've got a good area for your wall made, put down a foundational layer of gravel. ...
- Level the First Tie in the Wall. Once you have a good bed of gravel laid down and tamped, it's time to level the first tie in the ...
- Make Your Pins to Secure the Ties Together. Next, you're gonna need to make some pins or "dead men." Most people use rebar because the ridges help to ...
- Drill Holes in the Tie for the Pins. Now you gotta drill some holes. ...
- Pound in the Pins. Now it's time to pound in some pins. ...
- Fill the Gap in Between the Tie and the Wall. ...
- Repeat the Process Until You've Reached the Desired Height. Now just repeat the process. ...
- Finishing Touches! It's ok to cover everything up with dirt if that's the look you're going for. It should not affect drainage too much.
- Step 1: Level and Tamp Down the Area. ...
- Step 2: Cut the Area to Make a Snug Fit for the Railroad Ties. ...
- Step 3: Add in a Layer of Gravel. ...
- Step 4: Level the First Tie in the Wall. ...
- Step 5: Make Your Pins to Secure the Ties Together. ...
- Step 6: Drill Holes in the Tie for the Pins.
What are the best tips for building a retaining wall?
Part 3 Part 3 of 3: Completing the Wall Download Article
- Start your second layer with a staggered pattern. This is so that the top layer seams are offset with the bottom layer.
- Apply the recommended adhesive to the bottom blocks, once a layer has been provisionally laid out. Next, fit the top block overhead.
- Add drainage pipes to your retaining wall, if the wall is 2 feet (60 cm) or taller. ...
How do you replace railroad ties?
In addition to its Black history ties, the rowhouse dating to 1846-47 was more recently ... “There’s always been lore that the building was in fact used by the Underground Railroad,” added Berman. “We don’t know if there is conclusive proof ...
How to install railroad ties?
Why shouldn’t you use a railroad tie for the fireplace mantle?
- Flammable: Railroad ties are highly flammable. ...
- Toxic: Generally, when the railroad ties come close to a fire, it will release fumes. ...
- Other chemicals: Treated railroad ties are full of different harmful chemicals. ...
- Health issues: Keeping creosote products like railroad ties in your house can lead to some health problems. ...
How to build a retaining wall with a guard rail?
OSHA Guardrail Requirements for Construction Jobsites
- If there is a “drop” of 48 inches or higher, a guardrail is required.
- The guardrail must be 42 inches in height (+/- 3 inches) above the working/walking surface.
- A horizontal intermediate rail is required and is placed “about halfway up.”
- Openings must be less than 19 inches, and intermediate balusters are to be spaced no more than 19 inches apart.
How do you build railroad ties on a slope?
6:4416:26Design And Construction Ideas For Building Landscaping Stairs With ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo instead of shaping the soil to where it's going to be a little lower here. So that the railroadMoreSo instead of shaping the soil to where it's going to be a little lower here. So that the railroad tie this corner lines up with this corner here you'll simply come cut the cut and shape the soil.
How do you install railroad ties on a hill?
10:2112:17DIY Retaining Wall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow i'm going to put in a few stakes. And if you notice on the top rows of these railroad ties i'mMoreNow i'm going to put in a few stakes. And if you notice on the top rows of these railroad ties i'm just gonna tie them together. And hold that top one down a little bit better by bending that rebar.
How do you put a retention wall on a slope?
Steps to Follow When Building a Retaining Wall on a SlopeStep #1: Get the Trench Compact and Level. ... Step #2: Install the Wall Rock. ... Step #3: Excavate the Second Level. ... Step #4: Place the Base Course of Blocks. ... Step #5: Compact the Wall Rock Behind the Blocks. ... Step #6: Fill in the Step Up Areas.
How do you stake down railroad ties?
4:2410:37How to Landscape with Railroad Ties - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow in case you're wondering i used half inch rebar for these stakes. And just use the angle grinderMoreNow in case you're wondering i used half inch rebar for these stakes. And just use the angle grinder. And cut those into three foot sections you can also use a sawzall or hacksaw to cut those as.
What is a Deadman retaining wall?
What Does Deadman Mean? In construction, a deadman is a relatively heavy weight, typically a mass concrete block used to provide support or resistance to a load. These blocks are usually embedded firmly in soil; however, some blocks may simply rest on the ground surface.
What can I use instead of railroad ties?
A better choice would be Pecky Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar. You'll get the same gorgeous look, without the high cost. While many landscape timbers are resistant to rot, they are not as resistant as pressure-treated lumber or railroad ties.
How do you landscape a steep slope without retaining walls?
Landscaping on SlopesStabilize With Plants & Trees. A smart way to stabilize the soil on a hill is by planting shrubs, trees, and flowers. ... Install Stairs or a Path. If your slope is not too steep, installing a stone path or stairs in your landscape can be a good option. ... Build Up Tiers of Walls. ... Build a Deck.
What is the cheapest way to build a retaining wall?
The cheapest type of retaining wall is poured concrete. Prices start at $4.30 per square foot for poured concrete, $5.65 for interlocking concrete block, $6.15 for pressure-treated pine, and about $11 for stone. Installation or supplies, such as drainage stone or filter fabric, are not included.
How do you build a sloping wall?
0:040:57How to Create a Stepped Base for a Sloped Retaining Wall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis application is built with Highland segmental retaining wall units walls built on a slopingMoreThis application is built with Highland segmental retaining wall units walls built on a sloping grade to require a stepped base. Begin excavating at the lowest point and dig a trench into the slope
How much does an 8ft railroad tie weigh?
They range from 100 to 300 pounds. Railroad ties can weigh as much as 200 pounds.
How much does the average railroad tie weigh?
200 poundsThey can range anywhere from 100 to 300 pounds. The majority of railroad ties weigh close to 200 pounds.
What saw to cut railroad ties?
You'll need to elevate your railroad tie when you use a circular saw to cut. You can set up your scrap wood about 3 feet (0.91 m) apart on the ground to lift it up. Make sure the ground is as evenly as possible when using a circular saw. This will make the cutting proceed more quickly, safely, and smoothly.
How to stabilize railroad tie base?
Put a piece of rebar in each of the holes and hammer it into the ground until the rebar is flush with the top surface of your railroad tie base. The rebar acts as your stabilization for the wall. ...
How far apart should railroad ties be?
Drill holes about 1 foot (30.48 centimeters) apart through all of the base railroad ties. The hole must be big enough to fit a piece of rebar through.
How to level a hill?
Level the ground along the entire stretch of hill (so the wall will sit flat) by packing it down evenly with your foot, shovel or a board. Place a level on the surface of the ground to make sure it is level along the entire stretch where the first layer of railroad ties will be placed. ...
How to keep a wall from tipping over?
Starting your bottom layer with a slight tilt towards the ground behind it can also help prevent the wall from tipping over as the hill moves behind it over time.
How big should a hole be for rebar?
The hole must be big enough to fit a piece of rebar through. The rebar should be at least 2 feet (60.96 centimeters) long. ...
Is railroad ties safe?
Most railroad ties, even those sold as "reclaimed" at home improvement centers, contain creosote. The EPA states that creosote is hazardous, and has no safe use in or around the home. Handling the ties is hazardous to humans, and creosote can leach from the ties for many, many years to harm animals and contaminate ground water and plants. Locate untreated ties (some manufacturers are switching to safer methods than creosote), or use ties that are known to be treated with materials that are safer than creosote.
How to drill a hole in a railroad tie?
Starting six inches from your rebar that has now secured your base layer or railroad ties, you want to drill a single 3/8” hole on each side of the railroad tie. Then mark on the side of the railroad tie that faces out or towards you the location of the hole. Recommended doing this for the whole length of the wall.
How to secure rebar into railroad tie?
Always wear gloves!!! After you have predrilled you can then hammer your rebar into the ties making sure to secure the rebar into the ground 6 inches. After you have secured the first layer ...
What are the best practices for retaining walls?
There are two best practices when securing a retaining wall: Deadman Ties and Rebar. Railroad ties can be used for much more than just retaining walls. We have seen customers build furniture, flower beds and much more using railroad ties. Let us get into it!
What is a Deadman tie?
What is a Deadman railroad tie? A Deadman railroad tie is a railroad tie that runs perpendicular to the retaining wall and into the hill that you are building the retaining wall against. Deadman ties are great for ensuring the retaining wall is as solid as possible.
How to work with railroad ties?
Working with railroad ties means that you will have to cut them to different lengths to stagger them as you continue to build the wall. This staggered layering will add a lot of strength to the wall as each joint between the ties is interlocked rather than just sitting on top of each other.
How to keep water away from railroad ties?
A plastic felt that goes underneath the first course of railroad ties, and the back of the wall, must be used to keep water away from the wood. Even if it is treated, sitting in a puddle of water will eat its way through the treatment after a long period of time. Keep the wood protected by using a water barrier.
When will the railroad tie retaining wall be completed in 2021?
on May 31, 2021. One of the truly great looking improvements that anyone can make to their sloped landscape is in the railroad tie retaining wall. This type of wall has tremendous character built into it with the wide railroad ties, discoloration, gouges, and even history.
Can you use a stone for railroad ties?
Not Using Stones or Pipes for Drainage. Before you begin laying out the railroad ties you should also put in place some drainage for water that comes down the hillside. This should be in the form of stones or a drainage pipe or both.
Can you use rebar on railroad tie retaining walls?
Not Using Rebar Through Ties. Some people do not realize that rebar must be used in the wooden railroad tie retaining wall just as much as it should be used with a mortar wall. The rebar works within the wall itself to give it added strength.
How do I build a railroad tie retaining wall?
Step 1: Level the Location. First things first. Start building your diy railroad tie retaining wall by leveling and tamping the location site. A sturdy, hard foundation will ensure that there is a minimal amount of earth shifting after you’ve built your wall.
How do I put a railroad tie in the ground?
Make sure that you drive the pins into the ground so that your railroad tie retaining wall is firmly secured. Use your ten-pound sledgehammer to pound the pin to one side, securing the first railroad tie firmly to the ground. Step 6. Fill in the Gaps.
What to use for railroad tie pins?
Now it’s time to grab your pins. Many homeowners choose to use simple rebar as their pins as they work optimally for holding the railroad tie retaining wall steady and are easy to come by. Make sure that your rebar is all the correct height. Depending on the length of your retaining wall will determine how many pins you will need.
Why use gravel for railroad tie?
Using gravel is an excellent way to ensure that excess water is absorbed by running through the gravel instead of the possibility of it warping or shifting your retaining wall. Make sure that when you lay the first railroad tie you allow space around it to be filled in with gravel.
Why is it important to lay railroad ties?
One of the most important parts about laying the first railroad tie is to ensure that it is as level as possible. This will ensure that the following ties that are laid on top are also level. Take your time with laying the first railroad tie and add or get rid of gravel as needed. The reason why it’s so important to have a level first tie is ...
How to make a wall with pins?
Consider using a pin every two to two and a half feet to make a sturdy wall. Next you will need to drill holes for the pins. You should make the hole slightly larger than the pin itself (though not by much). Step 5. Place the Pins. Now for the fun part, placing the pins.
Is it normal for a railroad tie to shift?
Don’t be alarmed if your railroad tie retaining wall still shifts slightly as it settles, this is a perfectly normal occurrence and shouldn’t affect the functionality of your retaining wall.
Detailed Steps How to Build a Retaining Wall on a Slope
To understand the process we want to go more detailed in each step backing it up with images from actual project.
Plan The Layout of Walls
Just like every complicated or structural work the most important step is careful planning. Otherwise you are risking running into constant problems, redoing most of work and loosing thousands of dollars.
Select the Stones and Order
The scale of work depends on type of stones. We are not talking only about colors and grading, size will be one of biggest factors going through the job.
Excavate and Clear the Ground
Often enough the plan how to build a retaining wall on a slope involves transforming entire sloped hill into several flat surfaces that are held by these blocks.
Dig Trench with Steps Down Following Slope
Very similar to start of all retaining walls, contractors dig a trench where it all will begin. Once again the size and depth depends on stones selected for wall.
Install Gravel Base
At the very bottom of our wall there will be gravel. The purpose of stone is to create a solid pad for heavy wall and not sink in the soil.
Put First Row of Stones and Connect Steps
Everyone says that first layer of retaining wall on a hill is the most important one and we are happy to confirm that fact. It can take hours to connect steps and properly level just next stone. It’s very easy to make tiny mistakes and contractors are not exclusion of the rule.
