How Long Do Sleeper Retaining Walls Last?

Do sleepers rot

Like all wood, sleepers will eventually rot and fade when exposed to the weather.

To prevent them falling to bits before their time, you need to use a good wood preserver..

Can I use railway sleepers as a retaining wall

Wooden sleepers are an excellent alternative to bricks or concrete for building retaining walls in your garden. … Garden sleepers can be used both horizontally and vertically when building a retaining wall. Using sleepers horizontally is more common when constructing a low level wall.

What is a sleeper retaining wall

One particular type of retaining wall is a sleeper retaining wall. These walls used wooden or concrete planks, usually built for use in railroad tracks (parts called sleepers since they simply lay in place and allow for trains to glide along them) to form the structure of the retaining wall.

Are oak sleepers better than softwood

In regards to outdoor use, the most important property is a timber’s resistant to decay and in general hardwoods are far more resistant than softwoods. Oak, for example, is highly resistant to decay and can last up to 30 or 40 years untreated.

How long do treated sleepers last

New treated (tanalised) softwood sleepers and untreated new hardwood products are completely safe to use anywhere outside, and over three to six months will bleach to an attractive silver colour.

Which sleepers are best

Timber that has been treated with preservative is the best choice in most cases – UC3 treated timber is best for use out of the ground, while UC4 treated is best for in-ground. Another type of timber available is green oak, which does not need treating as they are long-lasting naturally.

Can you lay sleepers on soil

For one, you can simply place your sleepers directly onto soil, allowing the heavy sleepers time to bed in. … When making use of sand or gravel, it’s also much easier to maneuver and make your sleepers level during the laying process.

What is the cheapest retaining wall to build

What is the cheapest retaining wall material?Treated pine and is the least expensive material. … Hardwood is more expensive than treated pine. … Railway sleepers are another – slightly more expensive – option and are built to withstand ground and water contact.Concrete sleepers are more expensive.More items…•

How long do wooden sleepers last

around 100 yearsAs a rule, hardwood oak sleepers tend to last the longest naturally with an expected lifespan of around 100 years. An untreated softwood will last for between three and five years if it sits on the ground, whilst treated softwoods can last between 20 and 30 years if they are maintained correctly.

Are old railway sleepers dangerous

Wooden railway sleepers, or crossties, soaked in creosote are used in railway tracks across Europe. … Creosote has been used as a wood preservative for many years and contains toxic chemical compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Some of these are a danger to human health as they are carcinogenic.

Are softwood sleepers any good

Softwood sleepers are not quite as durable as the used, hardwood sleepers but they do have straight edges and no wear, so they’re suitable for projects where you want a crisp edge and consistent sizes or finishes. You can also choose from a range of colours or treatments.

How do you keep a sleeper from rotting

Wood preservative treatments provide garden sleepers with protective properties that help prevent rot, mould and fungal growth, as well as help to form a defence against the elements. It is best to apply a wood preservative before installation of your sleeper, so that you can paint all sides.

Do sleepers need foundations

The most important thing is that the railway sleepers are laid on a surface that is level and firm. Perfectionists and Engineers will do this on a foundation of concrete, but more mortal people will often simply use gravel or hardcore or sand or even the soil itself if it is solid.

What is the easiest retaining wall to build

For the average do-it-yourselfer, building a retaining wall is easiest when using masonry blocks that will be stacked no taller than three feet, with no mortar binding the stones or concrete members. (For a curved wall, mark instead with a garden hose or spray paint.) …

How do you make sleepers last longer

increasing sleeper retaining wall life Put plastic sheeting behind sleepers before filling with pebbles and soil. … Possibly paint back of sleepers with that thick black waterproofing stuff. … Another idea is to maybe place sheets of fibre cement behind sleepers before filling with pebbles and soil.

How much weight can a railway sleeper hold

A concrete sleeper can weighs up to 320 kg (700 lbs) compared with a wooden sleeper which weighs about 100 kg or 225 lbs. The spacing of concrete sleepers is about 25% greater than wooden sleepers.

What is the strongest type of retaining wall

Poured concretePoured concrete is the strongest and most durable choice for retaining walls. It may also be carved and formed to look like mortared stone depending on your taste.

What’s the difference between green and brown sleepers

Pressure treated brown timber goes through the same process as green but an additional dye is added to the treatment to help provide the more familiar brown wood appearance. Because of this extra colour application, brown timber tends to be more expensive than green timber.

What wood is used for sleepers

Railway sleepers may be made of hardwoods or softwoods, these being used for different purposes and under different conditions. Hardwood railway sleepers are made chiefly from oak, beech, and hornbeam; softwood railway sleepers from Scots pine, maritime pine (Pines pinaster), and larch.

How long will a pressure treated retaining wall last

40 yearsRetaining Wall Materials Pressure-treated pine and fir that are rated for ground contact should survive 40 years; western red cedar or redwood lasts about 20.