Engineering a Retaining Wall

By: John D. Wagner (Page 8 of 6)

A retaining wall can hold back a hillside and turn steep slopes into living space—if you pay attention to the basics

Photo Carolyn Bates

Timber walls are only moderately challenging to build by yourself up to 4 feet high

Illustration Trevor Johnston/Paul Perrault

A timber wall made of 8-foot-long 6x6-inch pressure-treated beams needs tiebacks and deadmen spiked in place every 4 feet. Landscape fabric keeps the gravel from clogging with silt, while 4-inch PVC pipe drains most water.

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How to Build a Retaining Wall

In this how-to video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook uses manufactured block to create an attractive retaining wall

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Easy Upgrades That Say Welcome Home

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Where To Find It:

Hickson Inc.
1955 Lake Park Dr., Suite 250
Smyrna, GA 30080
www.hickson.com
770-801-6600

Keystone Retaining Wall Systems
4444 West 78th Street
Bloomington, MN 55435
www.keystonewalls.com
800-747-8971

Osmose Wood Preserving
1016 Everee Inn Rd., Box O
Griffin GA 30224-0249
www.osmose.com
770-228-8434

Risi Stone Systems
8500 Leslie St., Suite 390
Thornhill, ON L3T 7P1 Canada
www.risistone.com
800-626-9255

Rockwood Retaining Walls, Inc.
7200 N. Highway 63
Rochester, MN 55906
www.retainingwalls.com
800-535-2375

Tensar Earth Technologies
5775-B Glenridge Dr., Lakeside Center, Suite 450
Atlanta, GA 30328
www.tensarcorp.com
800-836-7271

UltraWood ACQ Preserve
Chemical Specialties Inc.
200 East Woodlawn Rd.
Charlotte, NC, 28217
www.chemspec.com
800-421-8661

Versa-Lok Retaining Wall Systems
6348 Highway 36, Suite 1
Oakdale, MN 55128
www.versa-lok.com
800-770-4525

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