How do you fix a rotting railroad tie retaining wall?
1:192:17How to Remove (and replace!) an old Cross-Tie Retaining Wall You can't ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what we're going to do is have the guys set up at a local hotel. So they can work till the end ofMoreSo what we're going to do is have the guys set up at a local hotel. So they can work till the end of the day.
How do you disassemble a railroad tie retaining wall?
Pick the soil away from the ends of the top railroad tie on the retaining wall, using a mattock, shovel or similar digging tools. The ends of the railroad ties should be set in the soil to help anchor the wall. Pull the end pieces off the wall after removing the soil.
How do you fill gaps in railroad ties?
3:194:29How To - Replace Track Ties to Fill Gaps. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that is where you use your sanding block i use this to sand the bottom of the the ties down aMoreAnd that is where you use your sanding block i use this to sand the bottom of the the ties down a little bit just rub it back and forth. Until you can slide it underneath the uh. The rails.
Will railroad ties rot in the ground?
Railroad ties have to routinely be replaced because of the decay that happens in the center of the ties. These ties often get re-sold as landscaping timbers where the decay and damage from wood destroying insects can continue until there is virtually nothing left except the exterior shell of the timbers.
Can you pour concrete over railroad ties?
0:091:41Stairway Built With Concrete And Railroad Ties - Landscaping IdeasYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSimply put a railroad tie in the front. Form around it put another railroad tie at the height youMoreSimply put a railroad tie in the front. Form around it put another railroad tie at the height you need in back of it and work your way up accordingly. And then fill it with concrete.
How do you fix a bulging retaining wall?
The wall can be strengthened by transferring some of the shear force to the base where the wall meets the ground. This can be done by either extending the footing of the base or placing concrete to thicken the base. Installing anchors or tiebacks is another option for extra strength.
Are railroad ties good for retaining walls?
A Deadman railroad tie is a railroad tie that runs perpendicular to the retaining wall and into the hill that you are building the retaining wall against. Deadman ties are great for ensuring the retaining wall is as solid as possible. We recommend using a deadman railroad tie every 20 feet of your retaining wall.
How do you landscape railroad ties?
In order to avoid potentially dangerous situations and maintain a neat and orderly appearance, it is necessary to secure old railroad ties or landscape timbers firmly in place. 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.
What do you put on railroad ties to preserve them?
The majority of crossties treated within the United States are preserved with creosote, but other preservatives are used, such as copper naphthenate, or ACZA.
What is the average lifespan of a railroad tie?
The study concluded: “It appears that a reasonable estimate for concrete tie service life under North American railroad operating conditions is between 40 and 45 years.” However, the study noted that while concrete ties were installed by one railroad as early as the 1970s, current concrete ties are a relatively new ...
How much does a 9 foot railroad tie weigh?
The average railroad tie weighs around 200 pounds.
Is creosote still used in railroad ties?
The railroad industry has more than a century of experience using creosote- treated railroad ties. The vast majority of ties currently purchased are creosote and creosote/borate treated wood. Experience and testing continue to support the use of creosote preservation for wood ties.
How heavy is a railroad tie?
200 poundsThe weight of a railroad tie depends on their size and specifications. They can range anywhere from 100 to 300 pounds. The majority of railroad ties weigh close to 200 pounds.
How do you remove metal spikes from landscape timbers?
Use a knife to carve out the wood around the top of the metal spike to expose the head of the spike. You only need to carve out enough wood to slip a nail puller under the head of the spike.
How do you remove rebar from landscape timbers?
2:3416:56Homemade rebar puller to replace landscape timber stakes. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is just some old angle iron that bed frames are made from i miss the bed frame at work i getMoreThis is just some old angle iron that bed frames are made from i miss the bed frame at work i get free bed frame because they usually go in the trash.
Are railroad ties good for retaining walls?
A Deadman railroad tie is a railroad tie that runs perpendicular to the retaining wall and into the hill that you are building the retaining wall against. Deadman ties are great for ensuring the retaining wall is as solid as possible. We recommend using a deadman railroad tie every 20 feet of your retaining wall.
Replacing Railroad Ties with Brick Retaining Wall
This backyard retaining wall project included an existing railroad timber wall that was failing and needed to be replaced. Not only did we build the new wall, but we also tore down the existing retaining wall made from railroad ties.
Removal of Existing Retaining Wall Material
We began the project with the tear-down of the existing timber wall and the proper disposal of that material.
Proper Retaining Wall Site Preparation and Installation for Longevity
Walls of this size need several layers of a geo-grid mesh as well as proper amounts of a clean stone backfill. If proper procedure is followed when installing a wall like this, it will provide the strength and drainage for a wall to sustain itself for many years to come.
How long should a pin be for a railroad tie?
Each of the pins should be about 2-2 1/2 feet long so that you get a good solid hold into the ground. If you cut one end at an angle, it will be a lot easier to drive the pin through the soil or through the railroad tie. Sometimes it can be near impossible to get a pin through a railroad tie without cutting a point on it.
What are railroad ties made of?
Railroad ties are made of tough oak and are soaked in tar and baked in. They're pretty tough. An auger bit will eat right through it and has the length to drill through more than one tie at a time when need be. Try not to hit the ground too much or your bit will go dull real fast.
What to use for railroad pins?
Especially if your pins are made out of rebar. The best thing to use is a long wood auger bit as opposed to one of those drill bit extender things. The drill bit extender will probably work, however, it will also probably come loose in one of the railroad ties at some point.
Why do people use rebar?
Most people use rebar because the ridges help to grab the dirt and railroad ties to hold the wall solid. We didn't have much rebar on hand but we did have these square bent 1/2" steel rod things with eyelets on the end we found in the barn. So we just chopped those up.
Can you drill holes in a pin?
Now you gotta drill some holes. You want the hole to be the same size or just slightly bigger than the pin you are going to drive through it. You can drill it smaller if you want, but it will make pounding the pin in a real pain. Especially if your pins are made out of rebar.
any way to reinforce old, leaning railroad tie retaining wall?
I own a unit at an office condo complex and am on the condo board/committee. It is about 30 years old and has about a 200' retaining wall that has started slightly leaning in toward the parking lot.
Comments (4)
You ask whom you should contact to do piles. In my state ( California ) you would call an Engineering Contractor with an A license. Your state might allow a C27 or equal contractor ( landscaping ) to do this work. To be sure call your county or state building department.
Front Yard Remodel Part 1
This weekend we ripped out a railroad tie retaining wall that was in our front yard. When we bought our home a few years ago it was there, holding up a portion of our yard. We assume that the retaining wall had been there for about 30 years or so since our house was built in 1985.
TIPS & TRICKS
Call your local dump at least a few days ahead of time to see what their requirements are for dumping railroad ties. In Kitsap County, Washington State we had to get a special permit ahead of time from them and also make sure that none of the railroad ties exceeded 8 feet in length.
How to work with railroad ties?
Working with railroad ties means that you will have to cut them to different lengths to stagger them as you continue to build the wall. This staggered layering will add a lot of strength to the wall as each joint between the ties is interlocked rather than just sitting on top of each other.
How to keep water away from railroad ties?
A plastic felt that goes underneath the first course of railroad ties, and the back of the wall, must be used to keep water away from the wood. Even if it is treated, sitting in a puddle of water will eat its way through the treatment after a long period of time. Keep the wood protected by using a water barrier.
When will the railroad tie retaining wall be completed in 2021?
on May 31, 2021. One of the truly great looking improvements that anyone can make to their sloped landscape is in the railroad tie retaining wall. This type of wall has tremendous character built into it with the wide railroad ties, discoloration, gouges, and even history.
Can you use a stone for railroad ties?
Not Using Stones or Pipes for Drainage. Before you begin laying out the railroad ties you should also put in place some drainage for water that comes down the hillside. This should be in the form of stones or a drainage pipe or both.
Can you use rebar on railroad tie retaining walls?
Not Using Rebar Through Ties. Some people do not realize that rebar must be used in the wooden railroad tie retaining wall just as much as it should be used with a mortar wall. The rebar works within the wall itself to give it added strength.
