How to Build a Wood Retaining Wall

A retaining wall is a structure, built to prevent the down slope advance of the earth mass by resisting the lateral pressure. This structure holds back the earth mass, typically materials such as soil and rock, most often in an area susceptible to landslide. The lateral pressure on this structure is least, at the top of the wall, and most at the bottom - and therefore the structure has to be designed to suit the same. If this factor is not taken into consideration, the pressure can even destruct the wall.

Why a Wood Retaining Wall?

Although the choices are vast, wood is considered to be the best option owing to the fact that it is easily available and affordable. Wooden retaining walls are as useful as their concrete counterparts. Bigger the wall, secured is the place. Wood also adds a certain amount of grace to the landscape, and hence doubles as a security cover as well as beautification theme. A small retaining wall, most often for your garden is easy to build, and can be constructed over a weekend, but if the down slope is steep and the earth mass is huge, then you need to build a big retaining wall.

Planning and Material Required

The foremost requirement of any successful activity is a proper plan. When building a retaining wall with wood, you need to determine the size and height of the wall, depending on the amount of earth mass to be harnessed and the degree of the slope. More the earth mass and degree of slope, more the strength required in the retaining structure to hold it back. Once you have the appropriate plan in your mind, you can start with the construction of your timber retaining wall. You will need to purchase support beams, treated timber, and hardware material such as nails, hammer, etc. The size of the support beams required to build the wall will depend on the height of the wall, taller the wall, bigger the support beams required.

DIY Guide to Build a Wood Retaining Wall

Firstly, level the ground wherein you are erecting the retaining wall. Dig the hill back to create some space for you to work. The soil which you remove, while digging the hill at this point of time, should be preserved in order to fill in the gap between the wall and the hill, once the wall is completed. Then dig holes to erect the support beams. The foundation of the wall is the most important attribute, and hence some things need to be taken into consideration when laying the foundation. At least 40 percent of the beam should be within the ground. For instance, if you want a 6 feet wall, you will require 10 feet long beams, which have to be planted 4 feet deep into the ground. A distance of 2 feet is an ideal distance between 2 beams. Prepare a mixture of concrete and gravel, and pour it into the holes after placing the beams in them. This will strengthen the foundation of the retaining wall. Once all the beams are erected, you can nail the treated wood boards into the beams, on the hillside, and complete the structure. Once the wall is erected, you can fill in the gap between the wall, and slope with the soil that you removed while making space for you to work. While doing this, create a layer of gravel between the soil and the wall to facilitate proper draining of water.

Landslides, irrespective of their size, are very destructive - and retaining walls are of great help when it comes to landslide prevention. More importantly, these walls don't just help you to save your property and lives, but also add to the grace of your landscape.