Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 08, 1999 08:53am | #1

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   Move hill? at least part of it?

   Scott

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   Guest_ | Sep 08, 1999 09:06am | #2

   *JeffSorry, my last post probably sounded flip. Sounds like a cut for a driveway, but I'm guessing. Would it be possible to cut the hill or ridge back a little farther and do away with the need for the wall? If its dirt,a bulldozer can move an 80 ft strip by 2 to 6 feet high back pretty quick and cheap if the site can stand it.Scott

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   Jeff_J_Buck | Sep 09, 1999 07:13am | #3

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   *No such luck. This area is to be the back edge of a parking area and is to have a deck built on/over the retaining wall.the deck is to be high enough for the front end of the cars to pull under...sort of like a 80ft long board walk.the wall will be under the other edge.The deck was budgeted for ,but the wall must be completed first.....and the "free" labor that was to build the wall (I guess with free materials too) fell thru (surprise) so now I'm trying to solve someone elses problem so I can build the deck!I think the only solution is for them to come up with more money....easier said than done.Would try to grade, but the asphault parking lot above seems to have a gravel base varing from 1 to 3ft thick in areas...nothings simple...gotta love remodeling...

1. 
   Jack_Feir | Sep 09, 1999 08:25am | #4

   *How about natural rock? All depends on local availability. Where I live in Bucks County PA I only have to dig down a foot to find all the wall stone I need. Free. Unless you lived on or close to such a source, maybe the transportation cost would be a killer.Also, maybe you should check with your building dept. In some places a retaining wall as high as you describe would need to meet code. Building dept might also suggest most economical material locally available.

1. 
   Mad_Dog | Sep 09, 1999 05:48pm | #5

   *Sounds like your clients need to build themselves a wall. They have a good enough imagination for it.On a more helpful note: how about old railroad ties? Search for a cheap source.Do

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   Guest_ | Sep 11, 1999 09:29am | #6

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   Plenty of old railway ties in southern Ontario. .. stupid bastards can't pullem up fast enough. Piles and piles of em at all lumber yards!!

   The rest of the civilized world has reaquainted itself with the cost effectiveness of railways but not here. . . what used to bind the country together the powers that be can't wait to rip assunder.

   Gawd I hate assholes!!

   -pm

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   Guest_ | Sep 12, 1999 09:12am | #7

   *MD & Patrick, Right on with the railroad ties. They're free for the taking around here (CT).

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   Guest_ | Sep 13, 1999 06:59am | #8

   *There are three reasons used railroad ties wind up on the market. First, because they were replaced during periodic maintenance - end of life expectancy or unsound condition. Second, to be be replaced with prestressed concrete ties. (Concrete ties have used these in wood scarce Europe for at least 40 years with good results.) Third, because of line abandonment - ususally old when taken up. My point is that you have no way of knowing what the true condition of a tie is. Not withstanding the fact that they are treated with some pretty noxious (& toxic) stuff they can be rotted inside. I cut some once for a low retaining wall and was surprised to find rotted wood inside. I would therefore be caarefull about using salvage railroad ties in stressed applications.

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   jimg_ | Sep 13, 1999 07:31pm | #9

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   I have to agree with Steve. How much money would the owner save when he has to replace that wall 10 years from now when he has the cost of the wall and the cost of your deck to contend with? Around here, wall builders are paying as much as $2 a tie just to dispose of the ones they rip out because the landfills don't want them. If this wall is going to be supporting the deck, the wall should be designed for that load as well. You could expect to pay someone $15 to $20 a square foot to install a segmental wall.

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   Mad_Dog | Sep 14, 1999 06:29pm | #10

   *I know about the toxicity and generally gnarley condition of the ties and seldom use them any more. But the important consideration here is price, not longevity or environmental concerns. That is what he wanted, that's what he got! The clients get what they want to pay for. If they want cheap now, they will pay later. They cannot have everything although they think so.MDxx

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   Jeff_J._Buck | Sep 14, 1999 06:29pm | #11

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   Need any ideas on least expensive retaining wall.Proposed was standard 6x6 landscape timber wall but still out if budget.The wall is aprox 80ft long ,6ft high on one end sloping down to 2ft at the other end.Have considered block,mortarless block,Pouring concrete,H channel steel with slats,etc. Hope I'm overlooking something simple...Thanks.