Retaining Walls

[floydmaster]

I have a garden that is raised about 2 feet. In the front, there is treated wood wall holding the soil. The rear has no retaining wall. There is a stockade fence so nobody will see this retaining wall. I want to get the area repaired before laying the track. Should I build a wall made of wood, concrete or some sort of concrete blocks ? I think I prefer concrete blocks, so it will never have to be repaired. But I don't know enough.

Are there any locations on-line to find out how to build the wall ?
How long would a wooden wall last ?
How deep should the wall be below ground?

[Anonymous]

Floydmaster, Is there a fence behind it or anthing? Will it be seen by neighbors or yourself? Or does just need to be functional? More info would be great in answering your question.

Oh Almost forgot[#welcome]

Check out Blue Aster's thread- My railroad pictures in general discussion forum, might give you some Ideas.

[Anonymous]

[#welcome] Floydmaster

Questions arise! Is the wall in front old, med, new aged treated wood?
I have done several walls (and yes there still up Matt [:D]) in landscaping.
Another good question is treated wood cheaper than deco brick?

You asked: How long would a wooden wall last ?
Well it would have to be treated or cedar (not cheap). Cedar out lasted some stuff I have seen but it is in the prep work you do. Like the very bottom of the boards need not to hold water so we have used 2 ways here in Texas.
1) Bull rock on very bottom by board then next 2' was plan potters mix.
2) Is a swege pipe on very bottom then the bull rock on top of it along with potters mix.

Another question you asked: How deep should the wall be below ground?
We leveled the boards to make the joints look uniform.
As for art deco bricks we sink them 1/2 of the brick in the ground on level.

On the center of this page shows a brick wall http://www.progardenbiz.com/issues/v1issue2/Retaining-Wall-LDT-12.html

And that is how I have been tought to do it. Other might have better and greater suggestions.[:D]

[Anonymous]

Floydmaster I don't know about your situation but I can tell you how I did my wall. The fence is cedar . Screwed to each post with 3" stainless are treated 2 x 4's . Then 2 x 4's are used horizontaly . Dura-fock cement board was then screwed to the treated wood and painted. I figure since the dura-rock is cement it should stand up to Chicago winters . I found cement board usefull for structure bases , my track interior walls , and retaining walls . Around here a 5' x 3' sheet costs around $7.00 at Home Depot . When you add the cost of everything up I would think it would be cheaper than bricks and would go up faster. Hope I was able to help out .

[Anonymous]

I aggree with Blue Aster, as to the boards and cement board with all the trimmings should not cost you more than the deco bricks and it is lighter on the back and knees.
I have a very lower back problem so I just watch or point some times on jobs when we use deco bricks [:)] They run here MSRP $1.99 a brick.