How to Build A TIMBER Retaining Wall [What's Behind the Wall?]

We had two big retaining walls to build and concrete block was out of our budget. Using 6x6 landscape timbers is a much more affordable option but the lifespan is less than that of concrete. After a ton of research I was able to come up with the construction plan to help mitigate water damage with drain lines and proper backfill, extending the lifespan, as well as build a structurally sound retaining wall reinforced with deadmen that tie the wall back into the hillside.
Full Written Tutorial: rogueengineer.com/how-to-buil...
Materials:
3/4" Crushed Gravel Footing
3 or 4' long 1/2" Rebar
Hammer Drill Attachment: amzn.to/49wlEUm
6x6 Landscape Timbers
Simpson StrongTie 10in Timber Screws: www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-S...
4" Perforated Drain Pipe
Non-Woven Filter Fabric
3/4" Clean gravel for Backfill
0:00 Excavation & Footing
0:30 First Course
1:09 Drainage Pipe
1:34 Fasteners
2:14 Installing Deadmen
3:33 Cutting and Sealing
4:07 Drainage Fabric & Backfill
5:41 Finished Photos & Outro
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[@ConcreteLand]

I’m coming up on 35 years in construction. When I see “done the right way” on a video it’s usually not. You got it right. To the best of my knowledge you did damn near everything correct. Well done.

[@rogueengineer]

Thank you!

[@brettbarnett9823]

Not doing it correctly is the biggest worry I have in my area. I'd like to find someone that does it correctly in Northern Indiana.

[@jessiekidwell670]

@@brettbarnett9823same for central Indy

[@CMDPromptify]

What an incredible resource. Easy to follow and straight to the point. This is well in excess of what I need. That being said, I am now equipped to over-engineer a BEASTLY little wall that we won't have to think about for a very long time. Thank you!

[@fcschoenthal]

Nice looking walls. Good build video and great tips. Looks like lots going on with your new "money pit" (I've had a lakehouse before). - Chris

[@rogueengineer]

Thank you! 😂 And, yes you are correct!

[@MattyO_83]

Great video. The last video I commented on stating that I'm a licensed structural engineer got nothing but flack from the other comments, so here i go again 😅. I will say everything looks good and the only comments I would add are to make sure you bury the first railroad tie and that you're dead men anchors extend beyond the failure plane of the retaining wall. The purpose of the dead man is to engage earth that does not exert pressure on the retaining wall. I get lost in details and always look at the shear value of the fasteners in the deadman anchor connection to make sure that dead man anchor won't rip through the wall. I understand that you can't or shouldn't give all that information in a KZbin video in the event someone copies your design and has different site criteria. Great video and professional installation!

[@rogueengineer]

Thanks and I'm, sorry to hear that. I do some of my research by looking at the comments of other videos and fact checking of course. I agree, the first course always gets buried. (Maybe I wasn't clear enough on that.) And the deadmen go back minimum of the height of the wall. We did extra to be sure we got into the stable ground. Thanks again

[@marytucker9404]

Great work. You are a top-notch builder in my book. Good looking walls. Forney, TX

[@rogueengineer]

Thank you so much

[@richardwelch9796]

I was wondering about the fill material and if you compacted it as you went? If not, what's to keep if from settling? Thanks!

[@kevinblitzcki2709]

Hey, This looks very sturdy and well engineered. Was only wondering about the 3' metal spikes/rods for ground support, wouldn't that rust and become brittle over time even with little moisture? That's my only area of concern but otherwise, it's solid work.

[@crashkg]

Off topic question, but I noticed you had the Rigid tablesaw. I was wondering how you keep the fence on that aligned. I've tried every trick in the book including ordering some replacement plastic pads on etsy, but no matter what I do the fence never locks in square to the blade. Thanks.

[@sapelesteve]

Terrific work on those retaining walls which look like they will last a very long time! 👍👍

[@rogueengineer]

Thank you!

[@rkerby6375]

Wow, yall did an Amazing job building tbe retailing-wall! Well done!

[@thelouiebrand]

I used this timber screws on my 6x6 beams on my porch. One of the posts twisted and broke the screw. I imagine that wall has a lot more force than a beam naturally twisting.

[@fintan3563]

What is the life expectancy of this timber wall compared to another concrete block wall like you recently built? Beautiful, substantial retaining walls! Both types. 👍👍👍

[@cottagekeeper]

How long will the fabric work before it decays? When it does decay do you have to dig up the dirt and cover up the limestone with new fabric?

[@Greenleafdesign-sq6vx]

Just wondering how long this took you and your crew? Great job, great video!

[@SteveOpalski]

How would you drain out of that tall corner? I have a similar project but I don’t have an end to drain out of. Appreciate any info if you could.

[@bruce-le-smith]

Love the hammer drill for rebar trick, thanks! Even if all that crushed limestone may be overkill, to me it looks like a great resource to have stored on the property, and it's out of sight. If there's ever a time you need gravel and it's hard to source or is too expensive you could just dip into the reserves.

[@zedwpd]

when you dipped into the drainage gravel what would you replace it with?

[@kthompson9877]

Arg, I really with this kind of wall would last in the PNW. Looks so much better than concrete IMO.

[@freidrichnietzsche6643]

Architect here and just found your channel. Great channel and content. New sub and will be using your videos to guide a few projects on my WV land. 🍻 I'm creating my own channel and would love to collab at some point! Love the preaching about "water being the enemy" as it really is. No two ways about it. If you can keep water away from the parts of the project that don't handle water well (basically anything that's not stone, concrete, or masonry, etc), your projects will be of a higher quality and last much longer. 🍻🍻

[@craigchatterton4164]

I love the idea of deadmen holding up a retaining wall. There's something about it that just makes me trust that wall will never fall down! That being said, are deadmen only for use in a wood retaining wall and geogrid only for use in a stone retaining wall? Or can you mix and match?

[@rogueengineer]

Thats typically how you will see it. Geogrid is used for concrete block because the weight of the block and how they lock together will hold it in place. Deadmen are easier to secure to a wood wall.

[@nabors31]

Does your drainage pipe have a sock or no?

[@andreiionescu-gg4wt]

What’s the approximate cost of a project like this and how long and high is the wall?

[@TheHalfDemon]

I've heard not to put the filter fabric vertical as it can clog and push a wall out and swear by only putting it on the top over the clean backfill.

[@zedwpd]

I bought a 127x66 piece of land for an RV spot on the Mark Twain Lake in Missouri. This is exactly what I need to make a level spot. While it looks beautiful, my guess is this project would cost more than it did for me to buy the land. Additionally, at my actual home I have used railroad ties laying around. If I'm making only a 3 course high retaining wall only 10 feet long, are there any steps that are not needed that I can skip? Like no need to paint the ends with 60 year old creosote ties. Because it's only 3 courses would it not need the tie backs into the soil?

[@rogueengineer]

If you need only 3 courses high you won't need the deadmen. Just footing, secure them together with long timber screws, drainage pipe in the back with clean gravel and a filter fabric burrito to let the water escape.

[@clement6574]

So no concrete is actually needed? Will it be the same plan for a garden raised bed? amazing work, you guys are definitely pros, I'm jaleous lol

[@hisnameisco]

Can we do a home with this method. It seems easier than other wood homes.

[@dakotaackerman7175]

So what about a footing? I didn’t see a tie in the ground? Do you set everything surface level?

[@rogueengineer]

The footing is 6-8in of compacted gravel and the first course is pinned in place with 3-4ft long 1/2" rebar. The first course is also buried when backfilling.

[@user-qu1mi3kv2j]

Question - do you know if it is better or worse to use longer timber lengths? I need to build a 32' straight wall about 6' high and was wondering if I could use 2 - 16' foot timbers (6x6) instead of 8 footers? I know I need to tagger the joints so I will have some cuts but is it stronger to use longer or shorter lengths? Thanks

[@rogueengineer]

They only had 8ft landscape timbers around me. 16ft would be a bear to handle. I think if you stagger the joints it wont matter just make sure you have enough deadmen.

[@user-qu1mi3kv2j]

@@rogueengineer Thank you. Yah was thinking the same thing about trying to handle/carry 16' footers.

[@allanulsby1433]

in ur area could you have gone 8' vertical?

[@yamahondazuki95]

I have two questions. Number one what is the type of fabric that you guys are using? And number two, what is the spacing on your timber screws? Are you going every 2 ft, every 4-ft

[@rogueengineer]

needle punched heavy duty landscape fabric and spaced the screws every 2ft(ish)

[@Matthew-bp9yd]

Did you use pressure treated 6x6 or 8x8?

[@rogueengineer]

6x6s

[@marklanese5594]

I'm surprised that the engineer and building department allowed you to build a 6' tall timber retaining wall with so few "deadmen" and not build as a "full crib". Having the anchors fastened to the "deadmen" are definitely helpful, but not as guaranteed as full crib construction.

[@AnxiousCowboy]

What’s full crib

[@dimitrisklonaris6733]

Yeah what's full crib

[@selebogokhune]

Let's build a house just like this

[@vitaliypro8441]

So mush work invested and no matter what you do it will look like crap in 15 years. Concrete is the only way to go

[@user-uc8cg8ob2s]

$$$$$$

[@thelouiebrand]

20k build? My 4 tall 60 footer cost me 4.5k. Came out bitchen!

[@thelonewolf666]

only 1% ever go off road so who cares

[@ExSheriffFattyBoySkinnyArms]

You didn’t water the foundation stone before compacting it

[@richardwelch9796]

I was wondering about the fill material and if you compacted it as you went? If not, what's to keep if from settling? Thanks!

[@ianreed5060]

This would be a good addition 100%. Anything fill-wise 2ft deep should be compacted.