DIY Retaining Wall

Hey guys, in this video I will be building a retaining wall using railroad ties. This is a great way to build a retaining wall yourself. Check out the video to see how this can be done.

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[jeepcjb]

nice video. Your daughter in the background with her little wheelbarrow helping is adorable. Reminds me of my little girls helping with projects.

[SteveHartmanVideos]

Simple and right to the point. Thank you.

[gavproductions]

What size of drill did you use for the rebar pilot holes?

[ramohino]

Railroad ties have been used the past few decades as a cheap solution for retaining walls in residential homes and commercial properties. What homeowners don't realize, is that these cross ties are not only harmful to the environment, but they pose a huge health threat! Ensure they've been responsibly sourced and properly treated for residential use, particularly if you're planning to use them in a vegetable garden or close to water sources. The risk of using railroad ties, treated with creosote, a known carcinogen, primarily comes from direct contact, inhalation, or ingestion.
Here are the precautions that should be used when handling railroad ties:
Handling: When handling creosote treated wood, wear gloves and long sleeves and try to minimize time spent working with ties. Work in well ventilated areas and avoid working in hot conditions when vapors are most potent.
Children: If children play on or around the ties they may get creosote on their skin and clothing and could subsequently ingest small amounts. Exposure to skin can cause irritation and rashes. Ingestion in small amounts while not life threatening, is a health concern.
Gardens: Plants have shown only limited potential to take up creosote but some compounds have been shown to attach to roots, which could lead to elevated creosote levels on tuber vegetables. For this reason, it is advisable not to landscape with railroad ties directly in contact with vegetable gardens.
Water Table: Some components of creosote are very sticky and not water soluble and will stay on the ties; however, other chemicals are water soluble and will dissolve and move with water. In areas where moisture levels are moderate, these chemicals may wash into surrounding soil with rain, but will likely decompose with time. However, in areas where the water table is very shallow or where a lot of surface water is present, there is more potential for transport of the chemicals into groundwater. For this reason, it is advisable to avoid using railroad ties for landscaping in very wet or shallow ground water areas.
Disposal and Fire: Creosote treated wood should not be burned, since burning volatilizes hazardous chemicals in the smoke. One currently suggested disposal method for treated wood is in sanitary landfills. However, check with your landfill first to inquire about local policies. Another currently suggested method for disposal is burial. However, if this option is chosen it is critical to consider surface and ground water movement in your location to minimize the possibility of creosote getting into water supplies.

[cattycat]

Soil will destroy the wood, you have to use gravel and membrain between

[AnnaLaurasZone]

Can you tell us what tool you use to cut those rebars?. I need to cut a bunch and buying precut at HD are getting expensive. TIA!!!

[aldo_domingo_]

Muy util, gracias. Pero debo confesar que su hija de ayudante le dio el brillo a su video. gracias.

[slimjim]

Another idea when doing a stepped wall like this is cutting the ends where it steps down at a 45 degree angle. It'll make it blend with the landscape more visually and not be so blocky.

[nightmarejr]

Normally gravel would be tossed under the wall, about 4 inches in that area. Helps the wood last longer and with the leveling

[WarEagleTimeMachine]

My back is already hurting watching this! Great video though - I will be tackling a project similar to this very soon.

[lourak]

You should use a 2 x 4 on edge to test if the ground is level before placing the railroad tie. If you don't do that, you will not know whether the railroad tie is making contact all along its length.

[SteveHartmanVideos]

Simple and right to the point. Thank you.

[randenbarajas]

This is what I needed to see, and the comments are helpful too. Thanks for the info! Looks good

[nolongerhave-couth]

Wondering if backfill behind wall should be crushed stone to allow water to flow away and not freezing behind wall?

[royaltyb]

I have a retaining wall made with railroad ties that frame my small stairwell. All the ties are weathered and water damaged. It looks like termites have gotten to them as well. Are there a type of railroad ties that are weather and bug resistant? Thanks

[Mukunda]

Great job ! Backfilling with clean gravel would help reduce hydrostatic pressure against the wall so it could resist being pushed over even more. A simple landscape fabric between the gravel and the earthy slope will keep the gravel clean and working optimally.

[WeiseGuy]

Man I've been binging all these videos since I found our channel last night. Where about are y'all located? I need to get more handy with tools, haha. Buying a new home soon and will be getting to the projects!

[scottjackisch]

Why not use compacted sand to get a perfect level. It's easier than trying to level clay

[annaelliott]

You should talk about where to get supplies and more info on the drill bit you used.

[reubenjames]

you have no drainage. thays why the other rotted. dig a trench underneath 8 to 10 inches fill will medium grade gravel. will make the wall twice as long.