Walk 3 feet back on the soil side of the retaining wall and dig a trench parallel to the wall that is equal to the width and height of the landscape timbers. If you want to lay the timbers down the length of the wall, you need to drill holes in the timbers every foot.
Hammers can be used to hit the holes and into the soil. If you have a large area to cover, you may want to use a larger trench. If you are using a smaller trench, be sure to drill holes at least twice as deep as the size of your landscape timber.
Table of Contents
Does a 2 foot retaining wall need drainage?
If the wall is at least four feet high, a drainage pipe might be needed. The wall has a hole in it. If the hole is large enough to allow water to drain through it, it’s a good idea to install a drain pipe.
The hole should be about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter and 3 to 4 inches deep, depending on the type of wall and the size of the drain hole. You can also use a 1-inch-diameter hole saw to cut the drainage hole, but you’ll need to be careful not to damage the retaining walls with the saw blade.
How do you anchor landscape timbers?
Rebar should be used to secure the timber border to the ground. The holes should be drilled through the center of the timbers, spacing them about 4 feet apart. The timbers should be pinned to the soil with 12-inch lengths of #3 rebar driven with a 1/2-horsepower drill bit into the center of each timber. The holes should be spaced at least 3 feet from each other.
If you plan to build a fence around your property, you will need to make sure that the fence is strong enough to withstand the weight of your home. To do this, measure the distance between your house and the nearest fence. If you have a house that is 6 feet tall, then your fence will have to be 8 feet high. For example, a 2,000-square-foot house will require a 3,500-pound fence to protect it from deer and other animals.
What is the cheapest retaining wall to build?
The most economical type of 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 $11 for concrete-concrete mix.
The most expensive retaining walls are poured steel, which can cost as much as $1,000 per foot, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The cost of steel varies depending on the type and size of the wall, as well as the amount of reinforcing steel used.
How far apart should posts be for a retaining wall?
We’ve done the research and found the best answer for you. Retaining wall posts must be at least three feet apart. If it works better with your measurement, the distance can be slightly longer. You should not go more than seven feet apart to make sure your wall is secure.
How deep should the footing be for a retaining wall?
The general rule of thumb is to bury about one-eighth of the height of the wall. The first course of blocks should start five inches below the soil level if your wall is three feet tall. Three inches from the top of your foundation is what the gravel base should start at.
If you don’t have a concrete foundation, you can use a mixture of sand, gravel, and pebbles to fill in the space between the foundation and the walls. This is called a “fill-in-the-dots” method. You can also add a layer of gravel or sand to the base of a wall to make it more resistant to erosion.
Do I need a French drain behind a retaining wall?
If you’re building a retaining wall, add a French drain behind the first course of stones or blocks. Water moving down the hill will build up behind the wall and undermine it. The stone or block should be supported by the gravel base or concrete footing.
If the pipe is too long, you’ll have to cut it down to a shorter length. If you want to use a pipe that’s too short, make sure it’s at least 1/2-inch shorter than the length of the stones that will be used to build the retaining walls.
