Retaining Wall Help
#1
05-10-11, 11:05 AM
Retaining Wall Help
I am building a retaining wall, 16'' high by 20' long, I was advised that fence height should be the depth you bury the posts at (seems overkill for my situation, 16"up and 16"down). I would like to set the posts in pea gravel (no concrete if possible). More on the eco-friendly side so no pressure treated wood, Any advice on an adequate depth to sink the posts and should a sealant be used as well or any other advice that can be given to add life to the wall
Thanks, Chad
Thanks, Chad
#2
05-10-11, 02:52 PM
Member
For such a small retaining wall the segmental retainin wall block my be a good solution - TNo concrete footing used and no mortar between the block. All organic/natural and no chemicals.
For such a low wall the smaller block may be satisfactory. You dig down about a foot and put in a conpacted gravel "footing"/ base so the bottom of the first block is about 8" below. If you want to over-do it, the larger block 6-8" high, about 16" long and 8 or 12 " thick would be more than enough. Not posts are ever used.
They are available everywhere in different colors (iron oxide pigments and no anilil or chemicals for color.
Dick
For such a low wall the smaller block may be satisfactory. You dig down about a foot and put in a conpacted gravel "footing"/ base so the bottom of the first block is about 8" below. If you want to over-do it, the larger block 6-8" high, about 16" long and 8 or 12 " thick would be more than enough. Not posts are ever used.
They are available everywhere in different colors (iron oxide pigments and no anilil or chemicals for color.
Dick
#3
05-10-11, 03:38 PM
Member
I'm a bit confused by your post. Are you building a retaining wall, a fence or both?
To answer your question about fence posts, a good rule of thumb is 1:2. One foot of post depth for every two feet of exposed post. I like to pour a dry bag of concrete around the posts. I would not use pea stone, I think you would end up with a wiggly post. Instead put some pea stone at the bottom of the hole for drainage and tamp the removed earth back around the post.
There are a couple of wood species that make good fence posts. Both black locust and eastern red cedar heartwood are very rot resistant. I have 25 year old locust posts that show no signs of rot. Alongside my property is a row of barbed wire fence posts that the owner told me were installed by his father in the 40's. They are red cedar.
Then again, I consider PT posts environmentally friendly.
To answer your question about fence posts, a good rule of thumb is 1:2. One foot of post depth for every two feet of exposed post. I like to pour a dry bag of concrete around the posts. I would not use pea stone, I think you would end up with a wiggly post. Instead put some pea stone at the bottom of the hole for drainage and tamp the removed earth back around the post.
There are a couple of wood species that make good fence posts. Both black locust and eastern red cedar heartwood are very rot resistant. I have 25 year old locust posts that show no signs of rot. Alongside my property is a row of barbed wire fence posts that the owner told me were installed by his father in the 40's. They are red cedar.
Then again, I consider PT posts environmentally friendly.
#4
05-11-11, 05:57 PM
Thanks Wayne, yes I am building a retaining wall, after doin some research it turns out that now days PT board is definitely alot safer, regardless the wife wants a more natural look so I may still not use it. As far as the posts go I suppose I could just treat the wood and bury it the way you recommended
Chad
Chad
