JPRambo
Platinum Member
This is how I am doing it.
Rairoad Ties For Retaining Wall?
- Thread starter Diggin It
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ultrarunner
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They were popular here at one time...
What I see is after about 25 years they hollow out from the inside...
Had one I put in and looked good but the entire inside was hollowed out by termites!
They are also a huge problem to dispose of... the local transfer stations do not accept anymore.
My last wall project did with stacking blocks...
What I see is after about 25 years they hollow out from the inside...
Had one I put in and looked good but the entire inside was hollowed out by termites!
They are also a huge problem to dispose of... the local transfer stations do not accept anymore.
My last wall project did with stacking blocks...
OP
Diggin It
Super Star Member
Cost is a prime issue so 6x6s at $30 or more each are out.
Termites are a big issue, but if they go after Ties, that defeats the purpose. I'm not concerned with Creosote or other treatments and I know Ties are generally used on a rock and drained surface, so I wasn't sure if they were soaked or not the way mine timbers are.
At 25', I would need 3 ties end to end and at 5 high ( 35" / 7" ), that makes 15 for the one side. Add 5 for the end and I'm at 25. Then at $12-15 each, I'm around $300 or so.
The same 25' would take 19 concrete blocks and 4 courses to get to the 36" which I make out to be 76 blocks.. Then another 30 for the end wall. At around $1.50 or so each currently, that's around $160 or so, plus mortar.
Block has an initial cost advantage if my numbers are even close to correct, but I can't lay block well at all. Maybe this would be a learning experience? What I don't want to do is lay block wrong and have it lean in 10 years or less. I have no idea what it would cost to have someone do it.
As far as drainage, there is a great need for it and the area above is beside the garage and gets runoff from the roof as well as overflow from a small swimming pool when it rains heavily.
Frost below 8" isn't an issue.
.
Termites are a big issue, but if they go after Ties, that defeats the purpose. I'm not concerned with Creosote or other treatments and I know Ties are generally used on a rock and drained surface, so I wasn't sure if they were soaked or not the way mine timbers are.
At 25', I would need 3 ties end to end and at 5 high ( 35" / 7" ), that makes 15 for the one side. Add 5 for the end and I'm at 25. Then at $12-15 each, I'm around $300 or so.
The same 25' would take 19 concrete blocks and 4 courses to get to the 36" which I make out to be 76 blocks.. Then another 30 for the end wall. At around $1.50 or so each currently, that's around $160 or so, plus mortar.
Block has an initial cost advantage if my numbers are even close to correct, but I can't lay block well at all. Maybe this would be a learning experience? What I don't want to do is lay block wrong and have it lean in 10 years or less. I have no idea what it would cost to have someone do it.
As far as drainage, there is a great need for it and the area above is beside the garage and gets runoff from the roof as well as overflow from a small swimming pool when it rains heavily.
Frost below 8" isn't an issue.
.
mark02tj
Platinum Member
If you use the stacking/interlocking block, you won't need mortar. From what I've seen, once you get the first course level and straight, it goes pretty quickly from there.
OP
Diggin It
Super Star Member
^^ Would need to see costs on those. The interlocking landscape type blocks I've seen are $3-4 each at a minimum and less than the size of a standard concrete block.
JPRambo
Platinum Member
Is there any construction going on in your area? My walls were made from throw away cement blocks. My cost was mortar.
MossRoad
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My father used railroad ties to make low, wide steps. He backfilled with gravel. The upper ones lasted decades. The bottom course that was on the ground rotted out in 10 years and had to be replaced several times. Also, as others have mentioned, carpenter ants seemed to love them. The ties would look fine, but then someone would step on one, it would crush, and you'd see the insides were gone. They just aren't made for ground contact.
Streetcar
Veteran Member
Digging it
Landscaping blocks are different than retaining wall blocks. Check link for versablock and see what is available in your area. To support a building you do not want material that will rot away. The key for retaining wall blocks is compact granular base and place first course level
Landscaping blocks are different than retaining wall blocks. Check link for versablock and see what is available in your area. To support a building you do not want material that will rot away. The key for retaining wall blocks is compact granular base and place first course level
OP
Diggin It
Super Star Member
^^ Nothing close by, but just from those pictures they look REALLY expensive which is something I can't deal with.
jfh28
Platinum Member
if you have termites in your area keep in mind that termites first establish a nest and then when that nest matures.....usually in about 3-5 years......they send out flying termites to establish new satellite nests......which could be your house......putting wood on the ground could be a very expensive mistake.....I understand if $ are a problem now......I'd hold off until I could do it right......as others have said for a 3' high wall landscape blocks are the way to go.......Jack