Retaining structures made of railroad ties can truly connect a backyard together. In summary, good planting can liven up any backyard. This has some beautiful greenery, water supply, and unique features with outdoor décor.
Just ideas, of course, are really not restricted to these three objects. In reality, a nice retaining wall made from reclaimed items is another item that can turn your yard seem wonderful with little work.
What Is Railroad Tie Retaining Walls?
To comprehend railroad tie retaining walls, you must first grasp two concepts. The first thing that comes to mind is railroad ties. Railroad ties are timbers that were historically used to construct railroads, particularly conventional railroads.
Railroad ties are now being phased out in favor of metal equivalents, but they are nevertheless in use in some regions. When railways are rebuilt, the railroad ties are reused and frequently end up in the possession of ordinary people.
If you happen to come across some railroad ties, take advantage of the situation. Railroad ties may be used for a variety of tasks, the most common of which are railroad ties for retaining walls.
How to Build a Railroad Tie Retaining Wall?
In speaking, constructing a retaining wall can be challenging. However, once you’ve learned everything there is to comprehend retaining walls, you’ll be able to construct your retaining wall with certainty. Here are the procedures for building a railroad tie retaining wall.
Level and tamp:
The first step should be to flatten the surface. Ensure that railroad ties remain even and level anywhere you place them. If you’re constructing, you can put some soil or pebbles to the rear at this stage.
When you are keeping the place as is and constructing a wall over existing dirt, you can indicate the locations where the timbers will go. In this instance, it is much more critical to ensure that the surface is level.
Create a base:
After you’ve determined that the space is level, you may begin installing the baseboards. There are several approaches to this. Drill through to halfway the thickness of a tie for the finest secure method. This is typically four inches.
Add a moisture barrier:
It’s also an excellent opportunity to install a moisture barrier. This may also be used to create a weed barricade. Wrap the railroad ties using fabric or plastic anywhere they will come into contact. This will keep moisture from accumulating.
You may combine a moisture barrier and a weed barrier if you purchase both. Weeds sprouting up behind your retaining wall will not seem attractive. As a result, it is a vital step that will not charge you much.
Draining:
There are several types of drainage you may install in your retaining wall. A French drain is an excellent choice since it is not only functional but also attractive. You may include it into your landscaping design.
However, a French drain is not the only choice. There are several sorts of drains that may be constructed; the key is to ensure that the water is directed wherever you want this to go. Making a storage is another excellent approach to include it within your design.
Secure the ties:
When you connect a railroad tie to the wall, use bolts developed expressly for this reason to fasten it. It’s fine to pierce a few inches deeper so you don’t have to use 12-inch screws or nuts. This is a common method of securing them.
A 6-inch size is preferable because anything smaller isn’t as secure. You really like to cover approximately 1/2 of the railroad tie, so drill halfway down using a shorter bit to produce a hole large enough for the gear to go through.
Final thoughts:
Retaining walls are excellent for removing hills in your yard or unsightly uneven fence lines. As previously said, putting the tie on its side will offer you more height and will most likely make it simpler to get the best-looking side of the railroad tie out. Stacking railroad ties like bricks is another wonderful approach to secure in several places and avoid weak or breaking spots throughout the wall. This provides you with a simple half-foot to keep your wrinkles from sticking together.
