How to Build a Timber Retaining Wall (CHEAP & EASY)

I've been having issues with dirt flowing down this hill and into my yard, so today I'm going to clean that up with a simple timber retaining wall.

This wall is made out of 4x8s and rebar - and nothing more!

To begin, I dig a trench that will be pretty level. I want a straight across wall, not a sloped wall but that's just my preference.In that trench, I lay some plastic down and up the hill so I can keep a lot of the dirt away from my boards as much as possible. If you skip this step, eventually the dirt will just wash down onto your boards and eat them away faster.

The next step is to lay some sand, gravel, rocks or anything else that will help with drainage under the beams, as well as give you a platform to level out your boards more than clumpy dirt would.

Once complete, lay your boards down, drill holes all the way through and hammer in some long pieces of re-bar. On the ends of each board I use 3' long pieces of re-bar and in the middle, I hammer in two 1' pieces of re-bar and leave them sticking out so I can attach the next level of wood.

It's quite simple and I hope you can get some of the same results as I did with my retaining wall. This was an easy and cheap diy project and makes my backyard look like a professional landscaped it.

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Tools Used:
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#RetainingWall #GardenWall #Landscaping

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DON'T CLICK THIS:

[ed]

I do not recommend non-porous fabric, it looked like plastic. It would retain water. Especially for wood, you would want as much drainage as possible. In addition, any sealed structure would succumb to the force of water buildup behind it if it were to get trapped. Use non-woven geotextile instead.

[knight]

2 yrs later here I am a new home owner looking to build a outdoor kitchen platform and this just what I needed. Thanks!

[dangoodwin]

Fantastic idea using metal rods as supports, maybe not such a good idea for somebody who is not that good with accuracy in measurements. Agree with another person's comment regarding plastic, the idea is to use gravel under so water can drain away from wood base and not get retained, obviously for longevity of the sleeper boarder.
Ok I'm from UK and pressure treated wood here is shit but using a wood preserver under at base will also add to the longevity.

Good video.

[MattJames]

This is great. Im a novice at building, well trying my best and im going to do something like this in my garden. You made the video great and it looks simple enough to do 👍👍

[Poor_Mans_DIY]

great job showing how easy that is to do. I suspect this can help many others.

[XDIY]

Great work. I like the simple way you made the connection of the wood to the ground. 👌

[deviousrooster]

Without draining aggregate between the dirt you're holding back and the timbers, this wall will start to bow in the matter of a few years. Luckily it didn't look like much work so it won't be the worst thing when you have to redo it.

[Eroze]

Great video man! Been looking for such video for a while. Very easy to follow. In retrospect, would you have done anything differently?

[TheAndyCAK]

What do you all think about using sand and pea gravel for the base? I thought crushed was typically the way to go.

[JLUCKY]

you killed that wood with the drilling lol

[frankenstein]

Ya good job. Is the plastic, sand and gravel to prevent root. LOVE IT. Just wish you would have named video different. I was expecting a 3+ foot wall.

[gomaker]

Just curious, why did you decide to put that plastic under the rocks? wouldn't that prevent water from draining and cause the wood to get excessively exposed to water?

[averyhomedecor]

Awesome video! You made that look real easy. Cool subscribe button!

[jkemp]

U could’ve used a bigger hammer but other than that great project

[sorchabell]

Would you go any higher than two pieces of timber or does it get unstable?

[alexanderbolduc]

Instad of rods cant we use structural screws???

[fawnwilliams]

looking for ideas to help hold sand for a small pool. husband wants to do crush and run then sand on top. i want to build a wall like this. we have to level one side of the pool area. its a small pool 10 foot buy 3 foot. i think this will work.

[MasterCoachUniversity]

how long do those bottom rebar pieces need to be to hold the bottom layer in the ground?

[aLo_etc]

Quick Q, did you not use screws to hold down the top plate to the bottom? Is the rebar ties below enough to hold?

[CriticalThinker]

Do you really need 3 foot long rebar for such a short little wall? Seems like 1 foot would be plenty.