Fantastic, someone who actually teaches the CORRECT way to build a retaining wall. So many do a half way job of their projects and you know in 5 years or so they will be wondering why it came apart.👍
There are few people on TH-cam who understand the use of non-woven geotextile between native soil and gravel to extend the life of the construction, and multiple geogrid layers to create a giant composite structure. This best practices wall will outlive us all. I hope you keep making these brilliant and helpful videos!!
It will outlive us all because it will break down to microplastics and forever chemicals in the soil that future generations for hundreds of thousands of years will have in their waterways poisoning them. Good work.
You know your lumber. I stacked them beforehand to check. Sometimes when the timbers aren’t perfect I’ll do a batter to hide the variation. Good observation!
I had no idea there was so much engineering involved in building a retaining wall. I'm not even planning on one but I learned so much that I stayed to the end.
I wish I was younger, I just love your tutorials, they're informative, and completely understandable. Thank you! I was able to build a small deck on the back of my home and am currently working on the stairs. I watched your tutorial on the stringers and they're ready to go, hopefully I'll get them in by the first big snow!
Very, very informative. Thanks for showing all the steps and explaining your choices. At 15:23 you can see that you buried your new European hornbeam with mulch several inches up the trunk. That will allow a fungus to grow on the bark of the trunk and stunt the growth for years until it finally dies. If you want it to survive, simply remove the retaining wood in front of the tree and blow the mulch away such that you can see the flare of the roots above the surface of the soil/sand. If you need to raise the tree to expose the roots, NOW is the time before the roots become implanted. As long as the tops of the roots are exposed, that's enough to assure that the bark of the trunk is safely above the soil. Pet peeve of mine: The proof is not in the pudding (or puddin'). The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Ask your great grandmother about this beloved saying from antiquity.
Great video. Did I miss something about plumb for the vertical stacking? Many times walls have each stack with a half inch to the outside or a very slight angle leaning to the inside. This helps stop the rotation of the wall resulting from the force behind it. Once the wall moves past 90 degrees to the outside the wall is in trouble
I did a batter or 1/2” offset on my last retaining wall and garden bed videos. It’s a great way to add additional strength to a vertical wall. You are spot on with your advice! Thanks. It’s also helpful if your timbers aren’t perfect. Vertical is a popular choice for homeowners which was the decision maker in this case.
I think you're referring to a "battered wall"...please correct me if I'm wrong. In the case for a "dead plumb" wall be it timber or stone, the method is to use "tie backs" to facilitate the "dead vertical" orientation. You can (not recommended for armatures!!!) "batter out" a wall if you know what your doing...This methods is called "corbeling a wall."
BEST - RETAINING - WALL - VIDEO - EVER! New subscriber here! Your explanation helped me understand much more about everything needed to make a retaining wall better, stronger, and long-lasting. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and talent. I'm looking forward to seeing more!
Daru, you truly have a gift for teaching! Your guidance brings out the best in every project, and the wood choice here is absolutely stunning-it adds such warmth and character to the entire piece. Your attention to detail and dedication to quality are inspiring. May God bless you for sharing your skills and passion with us!
You’re right about that! Geogrid is a staple in civil engineering. That’s where I learned about it and migrated it to timber construction. Wonderful applications and potential.
Okay, I was skeptical of you using timbers at first but this looks like a really great way to build a long-lasting retaining wall. I'd like to see you try that here in the Utah desert though! The soil is full of rocks and the clay/sand mix isn't so easy to work with.
The time and effort you put into your videos is truly commendable. The subtle details like highlights make all the difference! Out of curiosity, did you place some filter fabric between the soil and the 3/4” aggregate? Thank you Daru!
Thanks glad you enjoy the details. I like to use the filter fabric on the base before the 3/4” crushed. I didn’t before but I like the filtration to keep the drain clear with the appropriate fabric.
I really enjoyed this video. It gives me a lot of food for thought because of the materials you use here and your comments. You see, many years ago, I had to do something rather unexpected for a software developer: go outside and dig a long trench and lay pipe in the trench from the house gutter downspout to the storm water connection about 40 feet away. If I did not do this, my house addition would not pass county and city building inspections. So I got out there and started digging. It was backbreaking work for me, so I know you had the very same backbreaking work...except it was a heck of a lot harder for you. I was happy to get a reasonably tilted trench running to the storm water pipe. I think I should have dug the trench a little deeper, then lined it with that special fabric you show in this video, and then backfill with crushed rock just as you have done. I just laid pipe on the bare dirt and felt relieved that the entire set of fittings glued together properly and I had a run of pipe that would drain water from the gutters to the stormwater pipe. I could have done a better job with this -- your video almost makes we want to dig the trench up and re-do the whole job. My compliments to you on building this beautiful retaining wall and planting it with the lovely tree. My compliments to you on your smarts and strength, your fitness and intelligent approach to your work. I want to ask you....does Canada Post offer good mail delivery service? The U. S. Post Office in my opinion is terrible. The funny thing was, last night, before you posted this video, I was thinking to myself, "I should ask Daru Dhillon if Canada Post offers good mail service." And the very next day, today, you complimented your Canada Post carrier! (I am impressed with him too and I thank him for helping you out.)
Great video - Do you need to pre-drill a hole for timber screws to reduce the chances of the timber splitting? Do the timber screws 'sit' flush to the timber so the timber screw head doesn't create high spot causing a wobble? Thanks
@@samiam4202 Thanks. The screws don’t need pre-drilling and I didn’t experience any splitting. They are bugle head like a deck screw so they sink into the wood. Designed so the next course sits flush. No wobble. I liked them a lot.
Great video and explanation! Are tiebacks required for all retaining walls or is there a height below which they aren’t required? Also, would you be able to do a video showing how to get the correct slope on the gravel bed for the correct drainage on the drain pipe. This is the part I always get bogged down in. Thanks again and keep the videos and instructions coming! 🎉
Yeah, LOL! “Easiest and fastest way” when you’re digging in extremely sandy soil. Try that on red clay or the rock hard soil or soil with 80% river rock.
As a Texan, this trench alone is a day+ work. It always seems that people with such crazy enthusiasm for ground work have had to always dig thru play sand. "Just take a shovel and start...." nothing at all, because you need a pick and rock bar to get past the first 3 inches.
Not sure I am convinced the georgrid is more secure than the dead man supports. Think I would feel more confident with more dean-man supports, Particularly on a wood retaining wall. If this was a landscape brick wall where dead-man tie backs are not an option then maybe the georgic providers support absent the ability to install dead-man reinforcements. I would concede the geogrid on a wood wall won't hurt, but I would contend one is not getting the reenforcement strength one thinks they are for the added cost. More wood dead-man reinforcements would be much more structurally sound. Difference of opinion on this particular technique. I appreciate and enjoy your videos.
@@James-cn9no I appreciate hearing your perspective. I would definitely recommend deadman and tiebacks too. I would add another layer if I was going higher too. I purchased the Geogrid from a local landscaping supplier. It was $100, my cost and I did 3 walls with in. Good to hear your opinions. Diversity of perspectives is important.
Wow very impressive video. Not a single wasted word or moment. The ending with the Canada post story was the only non-informative bit but even that wasn't unobtrusive and kind of quaint. Thank you, I only came to see how you did the tiebacks but learned even more in the process. I have a retaining wall that is failing on a property I own. It is about 10 ft high and 200 foot long and bowing out badly all over. I am just curious when and where the tiebacks are used as in what heights do you install them and how often down the length of the wall. Maybe every three feet of wall height and staggered down the wall every ten feet and then alternate in like a cross hatch pattern or checkerboard as seen from facing the wall? I'm thinking the tiebacks I would use would be of a different design since I don't want to have to dig back behind from the face of my wall ten feet into the soil to bury them. Maybe a screw type device specific to large retaining walls. Thanks for the great video!
Good to hear form you and your feedback! I can't provide you with advice on walls that high because they would require an engineer to give you with the proper information for the soil type and conditions in your area. All the best with your build sounds like you're on the right track.
Not everyone has got easy to shovel sand like that. Some people live in ditchwitch country. Then there is rocks. You definitely need a serious retaining wall which such dissolvable sandy soil, though.
Would this retaining wall construction work well for the edge of a property that is sloping into the neighbors? Where would you place a fence that runs along that property line?
Yes as long as you leave enough room for the tiebacks and drainage. I have a bigger wood retaining wall in the background of my floating deck video that shows a taller version of this wall for those interested. Fence posts can be incorporated into the design too.
Wood retaining walls can be strong, especially with geogrid reinforcing. BUT wood will seldom last beyond a couple of decades before it starts to rot - even pressure-treated lumber will rot. Depending on the wall height, replacing it in the future will be a challenge. Precast modular blocks (especially dry-cast) will succumb to freeze-thaw damage in northern areas. The most durable retaining walls will be of wet-cast modular or cast-in-place concrete.
New subscriber here. Love what I'm seeing here. But opinion coming. Your drainage pipe should have been on top of the geotextile fabric below the rock. Now you will have water sitting at the bottom of your trench with the wood.
The wood is sitting on 6 inches of base aggregate so it will be good to go for drainage. It's good to keep soil away from the wood. Good reminder, thanks!
We call those "tie backs" simply "hill ties". Kind of like brick ties...they keep the facing bricks from pulling away from the structure. In this case, they keep the lumber from being pushed away from the hill.
I had to laugh when you began demonstrating how to use the square shovel. Where I live, you can't dig very long without encountering a rock, and often that rock is anywhere from 3 pounds to 30 pounds. Setting fence posts is always a challenge. Excavating companies stay _very_ busy here. 😄
Where does the water from your French drain go? Looks like it drained onto the crushed gravel just outside the retaining wall, where it will just back flow into the crushed gravel behind your wall.
Yes you can seal it with a stain with UV protection. I personally like clear so you can see the wood. Here’s how I stain a deck if interested: BEST Way To Stain a Deck | No Sanding Ever th-cam.com/video/P3RXPSztMsU/w-d-xo.html
LOL....are you digging at the beach?! I get the merits of a square head shovel, but not sure how many people have soil like that, rocks stop a square head shovel in it's tracks.
Dari’s response to your “LOL” comment was very gracious. Ask yourself how it might feel when the first thing a person does is laugh before they’ve said a word, and then just write her methods off just because she lives somewhere different from you. What’s that about?
the big reason you do not use woven geotex materials is that they do not have any give or stretch when you place the fill on top of them and they will then rip, there are woven geotex fabrics that are NOT waterproof
Dang this women can work, and knows stuff.....and easy on the eyes too! However, I don't ever want to build another wood timber retaining wall. Unlike rock or concrete blocks wood rots.
Nothing wrong with it at all...Professionals do it all the time...and that is speaking as one with 40 plus years under my belt and a 125 year old sledge...(new handle of course...LOL!!!...Those get broke every other season if you actual "do work" with them.)
Braun, beauty and brains... I'm in love. If only I was 30 years younger... and single... well, I think even my wife would fall in love with this lady. I know... Daru, how well do you like your parents... can we adopt you as our daughter... I'm an engineer, you'll love us!!!
What do you expect the useful life of those beams to be? Every wood beam laid on the ground like that I've encountered is rotten, warped, and in general unserviceable condition.
With this method, as done, a wall like this in a Canadian biome/climate type should have a functional service life on no less than 25 years and could well extend to 50 years if properly taken care of...
It’s not the typical way to swing for sure. Funny enough small sledges, mallets require more upper body energy and strength. I’m petite so this is by far more efficient. Don’t be afraid to go against the grain if the outcome is more beneficial to you and your work. I’ll be the odd duck on this any day. Good to hear your advice, thanks!
Curious, what did she do that was "so bad," Please don't tell me you mean the "ramming" she used to put in the rod? Sorry, that is standard practice and has been since this tool has been around...and that is speaking as someone with 40 years of experience in traditional crafting including make these tools as a blacksmith as well...Ever work with a "Mexican" landscape crew? They do it all the time and will even melt lead or bronze into the head of the sledge, while others "tack weld" a steel plate to the top of the head for more weight and this very reason...
I’m not implying. I’m stating facts. Geogrid reinforces the wall by connecting it into the backfill making the two separate units (the wall and backfill) one solid mass. That’s an increase in size and weight of over 938%. Mass is a critical component of strength. Uniaxial also has strong tensile strength making it excellent for strain relief. This is why Geogrid is standard for block retaining wall construction and civil engineering projects. My last video on block retaining walls goes into more benefits like creep reduction and erosion control if you are interested. Tensile strength is explained in my joist hanger video.
@@DaruDhillon I’m a mechanical engineer. As soon as those beams dry out and you don’t have as much friction of the two beams pinching the mesh, there is very little connection so there is very little effective tensile strength.
@@shawnbrennan7526 ...Shawn...PE...or not I think you are "guessing" at what the dynamics actually are in walls built like this, and I most certainly mean this correction to your assumed observation in a respectful context. I'm speaking from the position of someone with 40 plus years of professional design work in building these (and related architecture) from natural "green wood" timber and other natural/sustainable and historical materials (my area of expertise) and I have a PE team I have worked with for 30 of those years (all with PhD in "timber engineering") that would spec out a wall exactly like this. I would also add that many municipalities are requiring wood retaining walls to be built in this fashion...for the same reasons. Timbers do "dry out" over time but it takes almost a decade (in this size) to fully dry to equilibrium and that is if up off the ground for proper lumber drying method. In this context, they never will fully. Timber and plank with only wood joinery is employed in a similar fashion to this to build both root cellars, water tanks and even natural swimming pools. The compression load on these will more than trap anything between them and that is especially true if "pinned" or "trunneled" together as these are. I'm open to more question or challenges, should you have them...
@@JayCWhiteCloud My apologies that you’ve spent so much time responding to my comment. Your video and attention to detail in the construction are excellent, and I wasn’t trying to distract from that fact. I’d guess (and yes, I said guess) that the deadmen/ties are 90% of the stabilizing force and the mesh is the rest. Belts and suspenders, but not a bad thing.
I pity the code enforcement guy that ticks off this gal! I suspect the encounter would be like having a tiger by the tail in a phone booth. Looks she thinks everything thru and does great work. All the best Daru.
Reminds me of my wife. When she finds a new tool. she gets so excited and can't stop talking about it!! Great job!!
Thanks, I can relate to your wife. Finding something useful is a simple pleasure.
That's called mania.
Fantastic, someone who actually teaches the CORRECT way to build a retaining wall. So many do a half way job of their projects and you know in 5 years or so they will be wondering why it came apart.👍
There are few people on TH-cam who understand the use of non-woven geotextile between native soil and gravel to extend the life of the construction, and multiple geogrid layers to create a giant composite structure. This best practices wall will outlive us all. I hope you keep making these brilliant and helpful videos!!
It will outlive us all because it will break down to microplastics and forever chemicals in the soil that future generations for hundreds of thousands of years will have in their waterways poisoning them. Good work.
I don't most contracters would build it that good. Straightest timbers I have ever seen.
You know your lumber. I stacked them beforehand to check. Sometimes when the timbers aren’t perfect I’ll do a batter to hide the variation. Good observation!
I had no idea there was so much engineering involved in building a retaining wall. I'm not even planning on one but I learned so much that I stayed to the end.
@@circleofowls I’m glad you found it helpful. You never know when that knowledge might come in handy. All the best!
I wish I was younger, I just love your tutorials, they're informative, and completely understandable. Thank you! I was able to build a small deck on the back of my home and am currently working on the stairs. I watched your tutorial on the stringers and they're ready to go, hopefully I'll get them in by the first big snow!
Very, very informative. Thanks for showing all the steps and explaining your choices.
At 15:23 you can see that you buried your new European hornbeam with mulch several inches up the trunk. That will allow a fungus to grow on the bark of the trunk and stunt the growth for years until it finally dies. If you want it to survive, simply remove the retaining wood in front of the tree and blow the mulch away such that you can see the flare of the roots above the surface of the soil/sand. If you need to raise the tree to expose the roots, NOW is the time before the roots become implanted. As long as the tops of the roots are exposed, that's enough to assure that the bark of the trunk is safely above the soil.
Pet peeve of mine: The proof is not in the pudding (or puddin'). The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Ask your great grandmother about this beloved saying from antiquity.
Thanks for your feedback.
I didn't see that...good catch and very correct!!!
I don't care what you're building, I just enjoy watching you! But your skills are awesome, too.
Daru you make awesome tutorials very educational.Thanks for sharing your skills and hard work 👍
So nice of you Danny! It’s my pleasure. ❤️
I love your videos! You are a talented and hard working woman with a true gift for teaching. Keep up the great content Daru!
@@ld5714 That means a lot, thank-you! ❤️
Great video. Did I miss something about plumb for the vertical stacking? Many times walls have each stack with a half inch to the outside or a very slight angle leaning to the inside. This helps stop the rotation of the wall resulting from the force behind it. Once the wall moves past 90 degrees to the outside the wall is in trouble
I did a batter or 1/2” offset on my last retaining wall and garden bed videos. It’s a great way to add additional strength to a vertical wall. You are spot on with your advice! Thanks. It’s also helpful if your timbers aren’t perfect. Vertical is a popular choice for homeowners which was the decision maker in this case.
I think you're referring to a "battered wall"...please correct me if I'm wrong. In the case for a "dead plumb" wall be it timber or stone, the method is to use "tie backs" to facilitate the "dead vertical" orientation. You can (not recommended for armatures!!!) "batter out" a wall if you know what your doing...This methods is called "corbeling a wall."
BEST - RETAINING - WALL - VIDEO - EVER!
New subscriber here!
Your explanation helped me understand much more about everything needed to make a retaining wall better, stronger, and long-lasting. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and talent.
I'm looking forward to seeing more!
Best explanation and demonstration of retaining wall building I’ve seen. Love the attention to detail, it looks great and will last forever 🏆
Thanks for letting me know Paul. All the best to you!
I can't say I learn anything, but this was presented so well that I subscribed. Really concise explanation but still complete.
That was excellent. I never knew how much to it then just laying huge lumber down. Thanks!
Thanks! Your take is on point. There’s more to this and we think.
You’re a really good teacher Daru! The wood used in this project looks fantastic! God Bless! 🙏💪🏻🔨☀️
Amazing job! Looks beautiful, as always ❤
Very clear and helpful instructions.
Thank you
I'm glad you liked it, thanks! All the best
Daru, you truly have a gift for teaching! Your guidance brings out the best in every project, and the wood choice here is absolutely stunning-it adds such warmth and character to the entire piece. Your attention to detail and dedication to quality are inspiring. May God bless you for sharing your skills and passion with us!
Thank-you to everyone who watches and supports this channel. Who likes wood in their garden? 🪴 💚
Excellent explanations! Very informative and great humour to boot!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. Every comment helps support this video. ❤️
Super nice job on the retaining wall. This was a wall that was done right!
Thanks, that’s nice to hear. All the best!
Nice for a home owner. We've used a similar technique in civil engineering for decades.
You’re right about that! Geogrid is a staple in civil engineering. That’s where I learned about it and migrated it to timber construction. Wonderful applications and potential.
Wow, that was amazing to watch. So professionally done.
Appreciate hearing from you, thanks!
Worlds softest soil, life sure looks easy.
@@-Primer- you are all giving me a deep appreciation for the sandy soil. Thanks for that.
Happy for you that you have light soil. That flat shovel won't make a dent in my packed red clay filled with rocks, lol.
I feel you! Clay is another story I haven’t worked with it in years so I appreciate the reminder.
Thanks for shovel instruction!😮
Looks amazing and built to last!
Thank-you!
Okay, I was skeptical of you using timbers at first but this looks like a really great way to build a long-lasting retaining wall. I'd like to see you try that here in the Utah desert though! The soil is full of rocks and the clay/sand mix isn't so easy to work with.
Great point! The rocks are a different story. It’s a nice natural look that adds warmth to a garden. Glad you liked it.
The time and effort you put into your videos is truly commendable. The subtle details like highlights make all the difference!
Out of curiosity, did you place some filter fabric between the soil and the 3/4” aggregate?
Thank you Daru!
Thanks glad you enjoy the details. I like to use the filter fabric on the base before the 3/4” crushed. I didn’t before but I like the filtration to keep the drain clear with the appropriate fabric.
If I ever build a retaining wall I will build it like this or I won't build it at all. Amazing job.
Thanks, that's always good to hear. All the best to you!
I really enjoyed this video. It gives me a lot of food for thought because of the materials you use here and your comments. You see, many years ago, I had to do something rather unexpected for a software developer: go outside and dig a long trench and lay pipe in the trench from the house gutter downspout to the storm water connection about 40 feet away. If I did not do this, my house addition would not pass county and city building inspections. So I got out there and started digging. It was backbreaking work for me, so I know you had the very same backbreaking work...except it was a heck of a lot harder for you. I was happy to get a reasonably tilted trench running to the storm water pipe. I think I should have dug the trench a little deeper, then lined it with that special fabric you show in this video, and then backfill with crushed rock just as you have done. I just laid pipe on the bare dirt and felt relieved that the entire set of fittings glued together properly and I had a run of pipe that would drain water from the gutters to the stormwater pipe. I could have done a better job with this -- your video almost makes we want to dig the trench up and re-do the whole job. My compliments to you on building this beautiful retaining wall and planting it with the lovely tree. My compliments to you on your smarts and strength, your fitness and intelligent approach to your work. I want to ask you....does Canada Post offer good mail delivery service? The U. S. Post Office in my opinion is terrible. The funny thing was, last night, before you posted this video, I was thinking to myself, "I should ask Daru Dhillon if Canada Post offers good mail service." And the very next day, today, you complimented your Canada Post carrier! (I am impressed with him too and I thank him for helping you out.)
Thanks, it’s good to hear from you.
Great video - Do you need to pre-drill a hole for timber screws to reduce the chances of the timber splitting?
Do the timber screws 'sit' flush to the timber so the timber screw head doesn't create high spot causing a wobble?
Thanks
@@samiam4202 Thanks. The screws don’t need pre-drilling and I didn’t experience any splitting. They are bugle head like a deck screw so they sink into the wood. Designed so the next course sits flush. No wobble. I liked them a lot.
Great video and explanation! Are tiebacks required for all retaining walls or is there a height below which they aren’t required?
Also, would you be able to do a video showing how to get the correct slope on the gravel bed for the correct drainage on the drain pipe. This is the part I always get bogged down in. Thanks again and keep the videos and instructions coming! 🎉
Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll keep that in mind. For drains it’s a 1/4” of slope per foot of pipe.
She's made to be on network TV as well as multimillion viewership YT channel.
Nice easy digging in that sandy soil.
I like wood in the garden too.
Nice job.
Yeah, LOL! “Easiest and fastest way” when you’re digging in extremely sandy soil. Try that on red clay or the rock hard soil or soil with 80% river rock.
I used to work out west where we had a lot of rocks. That’s a different story. Teaches you patience and gives you a work out.
Exactly
As a Texan, this trench alone is a day+ work. It always seems that people with such crazy enthusiasm for ground work have had to always dig thru play sand. "Just take a shovel and start...." nothing at all, because you need a pick and rock bar to get past the first 3 inches.
@ Amen, Brother! 😂
I think someone else actually dug the trench, she was just leveling the sides, so THIS part was easy.
Not sure I am convinced the georgrid is more secure than the dead man supports. Think I would feel more confident with more dean-man supports, Particularly on a wood retaining wall. If this was a landscape brick wall where dead-man tie backs are not an option then maybe the georgic providers support absent the ability to install dead-man reinforcements. I would concede the geogrid on a wood wall won't hurt, but I would contend one is not getting the reenforcement strength one thinks they are for the added cost. More wood dead-man reinforcements would be much more structurally sound.
Difference of opinion on this particular technique. I appreciate and enjoy your videos.
@@James-cn9no I appreciate hearing your perspective. I would definitely recommend deadman and tiebacks too. I would add another layer if I was going higher too. I purchased the Geogrid from a local landscaping supplier. It was $100, my cost and I did 3 walls with in. Good to hear your opinions. Diversity of perspectives is important.
Great video. Well done subscribed
Thanks, I appreciate that. Welcome!
Daru your job is perfect. I'm your channel fan.
Wow very impressive video. Not a single wasted word or moment. The ending with the Canada post story was the only non-informative bit but even that wasn't unobtrusive and kind of quaint. Thank you, I only came to see how you did the tiebacks but learned even more in the process. I have a retaining wall that is failing on a property I own. It is about 10 ft high and 200 foot long and bowing out badly all over. I am just curious when and where the tiebacks are used as in what heights do you install them and how often down the length of the wall. Maybe every three feet of wall height and staggered down the wall every ten feet and then alternate in like a cross hatch pattern or checkerboard as seen from facing the wall? I'm thinking the tiebacks I would use would be of a different design since I don't want to have to dig back behind from the face of my wall ten feet into the soil to bury them. Maybe a screw type device specific to large retaining walls. Thanks for the great video!
Good to hear form you and your feedback! I can't provide you with advice on walls that high because they would require an engineer to give you with the proper information for the soil type and conditions in your area. All the best with your build sounds like you're on the right track.
Ive never seen pure sand soil that is so stable. Cool.
You know it! Thanks, good to hear from you.
Your tutorials are the best on TH-cam. Thank you! How did you learn all this? Can I be your apprentice 😊
Wow, thank you! You’re hired!
You are one strong woman. ❤
One of the main steps I wanted to see got skipped over. What did you put over the crushed stone? Did lay fabric before layering the soil?
Not everyone has got easy to shovel sand like that. Some people live in ditchwitch country. Then there is rocks. You definitely need a serious retaining wall which such dissolvable sandy soil, though.
@@OWK000 appreciate you sharing your experience. Thanks
Would this retaining wall construction work well for the edge of a property that is sloping into the neighbors? Where would you place a fence that runs along that property line?
Yes as long as you leave enough room for the tiebacks and drainage. I have a bigger wood retaining wall in the background of my floating deck video that shows a taller version of this wall for those interested. Fence posts can be incorporated into the design too.
So smart, so beautiful. Can you do a how to wood awning video.
Thanks for watching and sharing your suggestion! There’s an idea. 💡
I have the same shirt! We have amazing fashion sense.
@@jimsande5428 Jim we’re twins! Nice.
That and the MacGregor Red and Black tartan pattern has literally been around for centuries without ever going out of style.
Wood retaining walls can be strong, especially with geogrid reinforcing. BUT wood will seldom last beyond a couple of decades before it starts to rot - even pressure-treated lumber will rot. Depending on the wall height, replacing it in the future will be a challenge. Precast modular blocks (especially dry-cast) will succumb to freeze-thaw damage in northern areas. The most durable retaining walls will be of wet-cast modular or cast-in-place concrete.
Nice job ! 🙂
Thank-you!
Try that here in the Arizona desert. LOL!
Amazing! Nice job :)
@@robolduc653 Thank-you, I appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment!
New subscriber here. Love what I'm seeing here. But opinion coming. Your drainage pipe should have been on top of the geotextile fabric below the rock. Now you will have water sitting at the bottom of your trench with the wood.
The wood is sitting on 6 inches of base aggregate so it will be good to go for drainage. It's good to keep soil away from the wood. Good reminder, thanks!
That loamy soil looks dreamy compared to gooey red clay!
I have developed a deep appreciation for this sand. Thanks to your comments. ❤️🏝️⏳
Another GREAT video! Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
Use the hand compactor to drive in the rebar
Well explained...
We call those "tie backs" simply "hill ties". Kind of like brick ties...they keep the facing bricks from pulling away from the structure. In this case, they keep the lumber from being pushed away from the hill.
Thanks for sharing Michael. I always like to learn these things, that's new to me. Cheers!
When you cut treated wood you have to retreat the ends with preservative!
Thank-you for that value added advice! It’s an essential step for all cut pressure treated lumber. Good catch.
I had to laugh when you began demonstrating how to use the square shovel. Where I live, you can't dig very long without encountering a rock, and often that rock is anywhere from 3 pounds to 30 pounds. Setting fence posts is always a challenge. Excavating companies stay _very_ busy here. 😄
great stuff
Hi Peter, thanks! Good to hear from you!
Where does the water from your French drain go? Looks like it drained onto the crushed gravel just outside the retaining wall, where it will just back flow into the crushed gravel behind your wall.
They make drain extensions! You can pick them up at your local hardware store. Excellent for your downspouts too!
Good job. How much did you spend on those Timbers? I need to do something similar for a fifty foot length. But two levels
Lumber prices vary so much region to region. You can get 16’ lengths delivered which makes it faster to install.
I'm going to do this at a lake shore. Is there any coating I could brush on to help preserve it?
Yes you can seal it with a stain with UV protection. I personally like clear so you can see the wood. Here’s how I stain a deck if interested: BEST Way To Stain a Deck | No Sanding Ever
th-cam.com/video/P3RXPSztMsU/w-d-xo.html
LOL....are you digging at the beach?! I get the merits of a square head shovel, but not sure how many people have soil like that, rocks stop a square head shovel in it's tracks.
I hear you. It’s important to know your soil type so you can use a regular shovel and pry to remove your rocks. Every region is different.
Going to say, that is the nicest soil I've ever seen. In the PNW our 'soil' is 90% rocks. :)
My soil is half clay and the other half is more clay.
Dari’s response to your “LOL” comment was very gracious. Ask yourself how it might feel when the first thing a person does is laugh before they’ve said a word, and then just write her methods off just because she lives somewhere different from you. What’s that about?
You know you can use different shovels? Or even two different versions in one project? Weird…
the big reason you do not use woven geotex materials is that they do not have any give or stretch when you place the fill on top of them and they will then rip, there are woven geotex fabrics that are NOT waterproof
@@WSA691 good to hear your feedback on the woven fabric. Thanks for sharing.
This girl is tough!
Are you working with cedar or PT or fir?
@@frankfurther3828 PT
What size lumber 6x6?
@@lawrencemojado4118 yes, PT 6x6. All the best Lawrence!
was expecting a "CHANDLER BING! HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH Great video.
Now use that same shovel on dirt that contains loads of gravel and rocks.
Your a badass!!!
I got the Ross joke! Pi-vot!
🔥
Dang this women can work, and knows stuff.....and easy on the eyes too! However, I don't ever want to build another wood timber retaining wall. Unlike rock or concrete blocks wood rots.
Thanks for sharing your take on wood retaining walls. Appreciate your feedback!
nice not a gazillion roots to fight thru
If you didn't slap your hand on it and say this baby isn't going anywhere then this wall is doomed to fail.
@@byever1 I’ll have to remember that for the next one. Thanks
@@DaruDhillon why no pl between the 6x6s
@@byever1 The fasteners are incredibly strong and their holding power is excellent as is the PL.
Glad that’s not my sledgehammer
Nothing wrong with it at all...Professionals do it all the time...and that is speaking as one with 40 plus years under my belt and a 125 year old sledge...(new handle of course...LOL!!!...Those get broke every other season if you actual "do work" with them.)
bet you can build a kick ass fish pond. for some reason, i want to see you build a moat? joking of course.
Braun, beauty and brains... I'm in love. If only I was 30 years younger... and single... well, I think even my wife would fall in love with this lady. I know... Daru, how well do you like your parents... can we adopt you as our daughter... I'm an engineer, you'll love us!!!
Sweet, I talk mostly with engineers these days. I would have lots of questions for you. Such a fascinating line of work you’re in!
She’s mine, stay away!
lumber expensive
And, you know she did all that.
Thank-you.
What do you expect the useful life of those beams to be? Every wood beam laid on the ground like that I've encountered is rotten, warped, and in general unserviceable condition.
With this method, as done, a wall like this in a Canadian biome/climate type should have a functional service life on no less than 25 years and could well extend to 50 years if properly taken care of...
Thanks for sharing your knowledge on this method. I appreciate the insights.
The gravel base is essential to prevent rot. Proper drainage ensures a long lasting build.
Nothing new about geogrid
Termite has entered the chat
Sweet Jesus, you’re beautiful❤❤❤❤❤
Where are all the stones?
@@nicksylvester426 buried, shh don’t tell.
Please learn how to use a sledgehammer, that's so bad. If it's to heavy to swing get a smaller one like a mash hammer.
Other than that good vid.
It’s not the typical way to swing for sure. Funny enough small sledges, mallets require more upper body energy and strength. I’m petite so this is by far more efficient. Don’t be afraid to go against the grain if the outcome is more beneficial to you and your work. I’ll be the odd duck on this any day. Good to hear your advice, thanks!
Curious, what did she do that was "so bad," Please don't tell me you mean the "ramming" she used to put in the rod? Sorry, that is standard practice and has been since this tool has been around...and that is speaking as someone with 40 years of experience in traditional crafting including make these tools as a blacksmith as well...Ever work with a "Mexican" landscape crew? They do it all the time and will even melt lead or bronze into the head of the sledge, while others "tack weld" a steel plate to the top of the head for more weight and this very reason...
Good build, but I think you are implying the geo grid is doing more work than it really is. Still necessary, but…..
I’m not implying. I’m stating facts. Geogrid reinforces the wall by connecting it into the backfill making the two separate units (the wall and backfill) one solid mass. That’s an increase in size and weight of over 938%. Mass is a critical component of strength. Uniaxial also has strong tensile strength making it excellent for strain relief. This is why Geogrid is standard for block retaining wall construction and civil engineering projects. My last video on block retaining walls goes into more benefits like creep reduction and erosion control if you are interested. Tensile strength is explained in my joist hanger video.
@@DaruDhillon
I’m a mechanical engineer.
As soon as those beams dry out and you don’t have as much friction of the two beams pinching the mesh, there is very little connection so there is very little effective tensile strength.
@@shawnbrennan7526 ...Shawn...PE...or not I think you are "guessing" at what the dynamics actually are in walls built like this, and I most certainly mean this correction to your assumed observation in a respectful context. I'm speaking from the position of someone with 40 plus years of professional design work in building these (and related architecture) from natural "green wood" timber and other natural/sustainable and historical materials (my area of expertise) and I have a PE team I have worked with for 30 of those years (all with PhD in "timber engineering") that would spec out a wall exactly like this. I would also add that many municipalities are requiring wood retaining walls to be built in this fashion...for the same reasons.
Timbers do "dry out" over time but it takes almost a decade (in this size) to fully dry to equilibrium and that is if up off the ground for proper lumber drying method. In this context, they never will fully. Timber and plank with only wood joinery is employed in a similar fashion to this to build both root cellars, water tanks and even natural swimming pools. The compression load on these will more than trap anything between them and that is especially true if "pinned" or "trunneled" together as these are.
I'm open to more question or challenges, should you have them...
@@JayCWhiteCloud
My apologies that you’ve spent so much time responding to my comment. Your video and attention to detail in the construction are excellent, and I wasn’t trying to distract from that fact.
I’d guess (and yes, I said guess) that the deadmen/ties are 90% of the stabilizing force and the mesh is the rest. Belts and suspenders, but not a bad thing.
😍
Something wrong with your sledgehammering... Looks like you could be knocking the hell out of the handle end.
Looks like Florida soil..
Could be. Lucky you. You’ve got the sun.
I pity the code enforcement guy that ticks off this gal! I suspect the encounter would be like having a tiger by the tail in a phone booth. Looks she thinks everything thru and does great work. All the best Daru.
Thanks, that’s nice of you. All the best!
It's proof is in the PUTTING - NOT PUDDING!!!!!
Good to hear your feedback!
You are obviously not in Indiana. Working in sand is easier than clay.
It sure is. Hello to you in Indiana! All the best.
lol, that much georgid will do nothing
But; wood will rot , guaranteed to rot , no matter how well built , the weak link is wood, it rots and your wall fails
Thanks for sharing your thoughts in this build.
wow you are so clear, in your instructions. and so hot.
@@waynewalton265 glad you found it helpful, thanks!
New to you? These are old building methods.
Two thumbs up Daru. Good teacher.
Thank-you kindly!