Massive Wood Retaining Wall Build With 6x6 Timbers

[@waynegauthier155]

Great job. I did the same thing in the late 80's in my first home in Alabama. I used railroad cross ties for my wall, and yes deadmen were incorporated. Lots of hard work without a tractor. I must have wore out 10 chain saw blades, and about the same 3/8"x 10" drill bits. Railroad crossties have a lot of dirt and pebbles in them. Love the wall.

[@nancysmith9487]

Cool spending family time together looks good...

[@watershedoverlook]

Wow, great execution of a big job Phil (and crew)!

[@jeremyjordan6531]

How much did the total project cost?

[@danielmccaf]

That is all lovely, with the dead heads and tie-backs, but if you don't enclose the drainage gravel in heavy-duty filter cloth, soil and sand and sediment will leach into that drainage gravel, and undermine it. That shortens the life of the wall a lot, particularly if the project is in a place where there is frequent freezing and thawing. A weeping tile will not save that, even if it is wrapped. The filter cloth matters. It should not have been skipped.

[@catchonedrinktwo]

What do you do when the filter cloth is clogged with soil and sand? Ideally the drainage topside should be adjusted to keep water from getting in there in the first place.

[@FranciscoGonzalez-ro7ht]

Over 51k views and only 426 likes? Come on people, let's show some appreciation!!

[@WoodsTreeFarm]

@@FranciscoGonzalez-ro7ht thanks!

[@outdoorsinthe608]

Looks great! Thanks for sharing Phil👍👍

[@michaelbarksdale1665]

Good job, gave me some good tips.

[@WoodsTreeFarm]

Glad to hear it!

[@thomasruffini6899]

How did you terminate the drain pipe? Does it simply run past the ends of the wall and into the soil? I live on clay that doesn't drain well. Believe I would need to provide outfall points for free drainage.

[@shadowspace99]

Wow came out great.

[@ryanbrackett2609]

What was the total cost of the materials for this wall and drainage?

[@HermanBranch-lo3vp]

Good Job!! Do you treat the dead mans before you bury them? Too keep them from decaying quick?

[@WoodsTreeFarm]

We brushed used motor oil on all the cut ends

[@leonardolopez9005]

Great job ! 👏. Most importantly is family time. I would have gone with blocks or retaining wall stones. Much faster to install

[@keytothegate68]

How much for everything?

[@alfredulaj3985]

Where does the French drain go out to?

[@WoodsTreeFarm]

it just exits out the end of the wall and water flows on the surface down hill

[@confusionsprings]

Did you continue the landscape fabric up the slope or just wrap the pipe with it?

[@WoodsTreeFarm]

We just wrapped the pipe and drainage gravel. If I was going up higher than 4ft I'd consider doing more fabric and gravel up the wall

[@dimssy634]

Good video, thank you for that. What depth of gravel below 1st block? what kind of drill bit did you use for the bars on the first set?

[@WoodsTreeFarm]

About 4 inches of base stone and just a normal 3/8 wood bit to drill the hole for 3/8 rebar. Thanks for watching

[@markkarver2513]

Details about drainage pipe. Just lay it in there wrapped in what. Where does it drain to?

[@WoodsTreeFarm]

landscape fabric and gravel and its just runs out each end of the wall.

[@klelu4]

Hi. Couple questions: would you mind sharing approx cost? And how do you feel about the moisture behind the wall - do you feel like burying the drainage pipe that deep is adequate?

[@WoodsTreeFarm]

All materials were about $3600. We've had some really heavy rains and I do feel the drainage is sufficient.

[@lalovenegas7945]

About how much would have this cost you if you would have a company do the work?

[@WoodsTreeFarm]

I have no idea. I did not get any quotes for the work. I would guess at least $8k-$10k

[@michaels8153]

are these pressure treated?

[@WoodsTreeFarm]

Yes

[@danradtke1663]

👍

[@AurigaMV]

Great video! I can see you have a lot of potential. I work on video editing and creating animations for social media. If you ever need help with your content, I'd be happy to assist. Wishing you success in growing your channel!

[@mxusa8383]

All that time and money just for it to rot away in 10 years or less. I would have added far more sone to the back simply to keep the wood as dry as possible to prolong its life span. It’s going to stay wet and fail quickly. Current day pressure treated wood isn’t as good as older pressure treated products due to the government forcing milder chemicals in the process. The cost difference of block to wood isn’t the expensive part of this project it’s the labor if you paid someone. Idk 10 years goes quick only to be looking at doing it again. Buy once cry once and do it in block and be done is my thoughts. Also adding a small amount of water when compacting is needed for proper compaction. If dust is flying your material is too dry. Another thing with retaining walls is your toe section of the wall needs embedment, walls need a minimum 6” and up depending on engineer specs.

[@thelouiebrand]

As far as embedment goes, can it be build above ground of its being backfilled in the front?

[@dan69cam]

Back in 2000 I terraced my hillside down to the lake with 6 walls built with these. I didn't do my research and used very little rock for backfill, mostly just black dirt and clay. It's a shady, north facing hill so stays wet. It's at the point where I have to replace the bottom 2 walls and maybe one in the middle. I would say the others have a good 5 years left. Not bad for 24 years. You may be right about milder chemicals now but I bet he gets more then 10 years out of it, especially since it looks wide open and sunny.

[@marniemonfort7719]

I would have used old treated railroad ties. May not look as clean looking but would probably last 20 plus years..