Ben H Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 In a few weeks, I'll be helping a friend build a small retaining wall out of RXR ties. Bout 3-4ft tall. I was hoping one of you fine gents might have a detail of a good drainage system. We (he) can't decide if we will use flex corrugated, or hardline PVC. Also, any tips for building a awesome, stand the test of time wall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Also, any tips for building a awesome, stand the test of time wall? Dry-laid fieldstone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 In a few weeks, I'll be helping a friend build a small retaining wall out of RXR ties. Bout 3-4ft tall. I was hoping one of you fine gents might have a detail of a good drainage system. We (he) can't decide if we will use flex corrugated, or hardline PVC. PVC? I like perforated sewer & drain tile (S&D), which, I believe is styrene. Put the holes facing down. Use lots of drain rock & filter fabric. Also, any tips for building a awesome, stand the test of time wall? Don't use railroad ties. Carpenter ants will come from miles around to live in them and they'll rot from the inside out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Don't use railroad ties. I cringed when I saw what the wall was being built with. I'd prefer to never see another wooden retaining wall built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben H Posted March 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 They're free, that's why he wants to use them. There also not going to be anywhere near the house (I'd guess 30 yrds or so away). It's a wooded fall off lot, and we're simply trying to level the back yard a bit. I'd never guess termites who be that attracted to those creosote soaked ties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Free RR ties are an expensive mess in about 5 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben H Posted March 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Free RR ties are an expensive mess in about 5 years. I'm with you Kurt, now I must convince him of such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 They're free, that's why he wants to use them. There also not going to be anywhere near the house (I'd guess 30 yrds or so away). It's a wooded fall off lot, and we're simply trying to level the back yard a bit. I'd never guess termites who be that attracted to those creosote soaked ties. The creosate has mostly leached out by now. That's why the railroad has replaced them. Termites won't eat the new ones. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted March 18, 2012 Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 They're free, that's why he wants to use them. There also not going to be anywhere near the house (I'd guess 30 yrds or so away). It's a wooded fall off lot, and we're simply trying to level the back yard a bit. Free is not always a good price. I'd never guess termites who be that attracted to those creosote soaked ties. Carpenter ants, not termites. Out here, we refer to RR tie retaining walls as carpenter ant condos. Also, for a carpenter ant, 30 yards isn't very far. It's not ususual for a parent nest to be 100 yards away from a satellite nest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted March 18, 2012 Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 I'd never guess termites who be that attracted to those creosote soaked ties. They're pretty amazing creatures; but they've never learned to read English, so I'm certain they've never read the literature that warns that exposure to creosote can lead to cancer. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben H Posted March 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 I'd never guess termites who be that attracted to those creosote soaked ties. They're pretty amazing creatures; but they've never learned to read English, so I'm certain they've never read the literature that warns that exposure to creosote can lead to cancer. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Ha! Sometimes it feels like just about every chemical on this planet leads to cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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