We love our wood retaining wall! Beyond the commanding presence and usable front yard we’ve gained–forget the mower gymnastics of the former yard– the wood wall creates little nooks for spots of colorful flowers.
A retaining wall can create order while adding some ambiance to a yard that has a generous slope. But, it can also be a fun place, too. So many kids have walked along the top of our wood retaining wall and rolled cars and other toys along the top as they pass our home. Here are a few tips we’ve learned building our wood retaining wall.
Using pressure treated wood.
This was the first project we completed at our MyFixitUpLife home. We selected pressure treated southern pine to build the wall, and it looks about the same as the day we finished it, even after the years of snowstorms, sunny days, and kids climbing around on it.
Do it right the first time.
Building a retaining wall takes careful planning, and if you want to build a wall like the one at our house, you might need to have your local building inspector measure the post hole depth before you can start making above-ground progress.
Equipment tip.
If you aren’t a professional, but want a professional-looking result, take the time to get the right tools for the job. It doesn’t always make sense to invest in professional-grade tools and equipment if you are only building one retaining wall. Rent the equipment or tools. We do.
We rented equipment and put our equipment-master friend Mike at the helm to dig most of the post holes, making the job much smoother, take less time, and way more fun.
Thank you, this practical guide makes the complexities of retaining walls accessible for any DIY enthusiast. What are some common mistakes to avoid during a DIY retaining wall project?
My Fix It Up Life discusses the importance of a retaining wall. Why are retaining walls crucial for landscaping?