How long do railroad tie walls last?

With proper care your railroad ties can last as long as 20 years! They don’t last as long as concrete walls. Railroad tie retaining walls are sometimes called railway ties because they were originally used in the construction of train tracks and then they became a popular choice for garden wall projects.

How much does a railroad tie retaining wall cost?

Railroad ties are the most commonly used wood for a retaining wall, and prices for this type of wall cost between $25 and $30 per square foot of wall.

How do you cover a railroad tie retaining wall?

Use pressure-treated plywood to cover the wall. Place a row of 1x6s along the bottom of the railroad-tie retaining wall so the plywood doesn’t sit directly on the patio. Press a sheet of pressure-treated plywood against the wall, resting on the 1x6s, and attach it to the wall with exterior-grade screws.

How do you build a railroad tie wall?

How to Build a Railroad Tie Retaining Wall

1. Step 1: Level and Tamp Down the Area.
2. Step 2: Cut the Area to Make a Snug Fit for the Railroad Ties.
3. Step 3: Add in a Layer of Gravel.
4. Step 4: Level the First Tie in the Wall.
5. Step 5: Make Your Pins to Secure the Ties Together.
6. Step 6: Drill Holes in the Tie for the Pins.

Do old railroad ties attract termites?

Any wood that is on the ground in your yard will be attractive to worker termites. If you use railroad ties, or some other old wood as a border around your garden or flower bed, consider replacing this wood with stones.

How do you keep railroad ties from rotting?

If there is surface splintering on the tie, sand or grind it off. If there is rot, sand it away or saw it off. If there are holes in the tie, fill them with spike-hole filler compound, which is specifically meant to fill up holes in railroad ties. Coat the railroad tie in a clear, protective compound.

How do you anchor a railroad tie to the ground?

Burying the first row of ties and pounding ample steel spikes or lengths of rebar to hold levels of ties together effectively anchors the ties.

1. Excavate a trench to accommodate the bottom layer of railroad ties.
2. Tamp the soil at the bottom of the trench to compact it.

How do you freshen railroad ties?

How tall can you build a railroad tie retaining wall?

Six feet is generally considered to be the maximum, but DO verify code requirements or limitations on the height of retaining walls in your jurisdiction, regardless of building materials used, otherwise you may also end up installing guard rails or security fencing on top to meet regulations for safety.

Do railroad ties attract bugs?

These ties have been treated with creosote, and most people think they are protected from wood-boring insect infestations. However, not only is this incorrect, but railroad ties are one of the major sources of colonies of carpenter ants infesting structures.