How to build a wooden retaining wall?

Question

How to build a wooden retaining wall?

Answer 1

Auger holes for you support uprights about 12" in front of the face of the outline of your wall. Rent an earth auger to drill these holes. They will hold your vertical wall supports.

After you drill them scrape the mounded dirt from around the hole so it does not fall back into the hole, cover holes with pc. of plywood. Now you should have the upright posts ready * I would use treated 6" x6" posts - put 4' in ground and add height of your wall , and space them 4' apart or closer. You are tilting them in because they will over time push out. Believe me they will push out !!!!!!!

Brace post with 2" x4" now pour concrete around posts fill up to top of hole. Let set overnight.

Now you need to install several "deadman" anchors.

This is a wire cable attached to the top 12" of the upright posts and runs to a chunk of 6" x6" buried down in the ground of the dirt you are holding back. You can use eyelags to s***w into uprights and deadman. Make sure cable is tight prior to backfilling overtop of deadman.

Now install your retaining wall boards on the inside of the vertical uprights. I would also use treated 6" x 6" post laying them down horizontal. Start your first row with a level, pin each layer to the previous one with long s***w nails 12". Drive in with 4lb. short handle sledge hammer. It is best to put all joints right behind the upright post, however to save some lumber you can stagger horizontal joints when laying the posts up on the inside of your uprights, just pin them together good with the nails.When you come to your deadman cables, notch your horizontal posts to fit around these cables. Cut off top of upright posts to follow your retaining wall when done. You can gradually stairstep your horizontal layer of posts as the dirt level slopes off, just pin down the ends good into the one below.Now backfill against your wood wall with large septic rock or # 2 stone, this will let the water out. You don't need to drill holes in the treated wood to let water out as it will run out off the joints ok.If you can try to divert water away from this area so it runsoff or drains away from the wall.

Answer 2

retaining walls need specific designs etc usually what is out of the ground goes in to the ground etc at Abbot 1.m centres with a 150x50 wallboard, Do not forget the drainage as well.

That is the basics but the reality is totally different etc

A lot of hard work etc . If you have to ask , get it done

Answer 3

Put the drainage in first-gravel, membrane, sand and backfill. Then dig down twice as deep as your going above ground- if its really steep, lot of pressure. If not, relax it a bit. Use rough redwood or pressure treated 2 by 12 lumber, put the posts in front every four feet.