Common applications of retaining wall construction from red gum and some hard woods have led people to and expensive undertaking in pest control applications in targeting termites and wood grubs down the track. 

Both of theses insect pests can bring a retaining wall apart in no time, especially termites if you get a good infestation of them.

They are a major problem for most residents that have natural timbers in their house or around the garden.

Most older generation homes used red gum sleepers for their retaining wall and garden beds because treated materials for retaining walls were not available at the time.

If landscaping of timber construction like retaining walls around your house are constructed of hard woods you should have them inspected professionally by an expert in this field

If at any time your retaining walls or any structure has been affected use treated materials for your application (retaining walls ) if  reconstruction is required.

seek help or advice on new products for example concrete retaining walls

If looking at changing the look of your retaining wall there are a few tips and tricks you can look at:

Making a blueboard facade is really simple and easy, and can cahnge the look of your wall drastically.

Buy some blue board from your local hardware store like "Bunnings". You can buy sheets in a variety of sizes and thicknesses to suit your application. Make sure you take some measurements to help on wasted material and cut-offs. Using a strong construction adhesive like liquid nails

Buys timber clouts of about 40 mm long to fix into your timber sleeper retaining wall

Try to avoid using screws as they need to be counter sunk to finish flush.

Once you have completed the boarding of the retaining wall it's time to apply a finish to your blue board facade retaining wall.

Either you can use a render with a texture finish or u can use a Sand cement Mortar finish. There are many colors available to the render application.

You can put color into the mix prior to the application or you can put it on afterwards as a paint or a second coat texture finish

Make sure prior to doing works on your retaining wall that the Materials are in reasonable condition to work with. Any rotten or water sodden sections will need to be repaired/replaced prior to work commencing.

Also if your retaining wall is not straight, you should try to even it out by applying padding material behind the blue board.

When thinking of building your own wall the first step is to chose the look you want your retaining wall to look like

There are many types or retaining walls that have different formats of erection

Theses tips are based on a 250 mm Wide x300 mm Deep X 400 mm long And they are a vertical finished block

Step 1 chose the the retaining wall blocks Required

Step 2 Digging the footings to suit the retaining wall To be constructed.

  .?

Just a quick note if your retaining wall is on a boundary or over a easement you should seek advice if the construction of you retaining wall can go ahead

Also if the retaining wall is over the requirement to need a permit you may need a permit to construct the retaining wall

Seek advice from your local councils

Step 3 most footings for the block retaining walls are simple to do

By digging a trench of the width of your block +60 mm either side and approxmtly 200 mm deep Depending on the hight of your retaking wall these measurements are based on a retaining wall of 500 mm high so if your wall is bigger or smaller seek advice from your local expert or call me

Step 4 using a sand cement mixture or even a strait concrete mix apply and level to the required area , make sure your concrete is finished level

I tend to put a 12 to 16 mm rio bar in the center of my footings to help strengthen and bind together the concrete

Step 5 once dry u can start laying your blocks into place

Using a string line will help you keep you retaining walls strait

Using a mortar you apply to the surface Of the footing  to bond the blocks to the footing And help with leveling

Step 6  once your first level of your retaining wall is completed u can fill the core of the block with crush rock , builders sand , concrete , this helps with bearing wait on the retaining wall And to hold I place

Step 7 now that the first layer is completely dried you can start  putting more blocks    On the First row to start forming your retaining walls

Remember to core fill your blocks as you go

Step 8 now your retaining wall is at its 's required hight and the blocks are core filled

You can put on your caps that you have chosen

Morter the caps on With mortar or even a construction glue

If at any time wile your constructing your retaining walls You will need to cut blocks and lids capping tyles

Make sure you have the  appropriate Cutting blades for your cutting tools

Leaning Or decaying  retaining walls  Made from treated pine

Many retaking walls that have structural damage can be repaired back to original state ,

If the retaining wall is supported by steal posts and they have moved due to the wall being over loaded from behind , a small excavation is needed to get to the depth of the post footing to remove All of the old concrete and  also the rails From left to right

Once all the areas affected have been realigned The post is Can be Placed  Back concrete the wall can be reinstated

Do not replace material behind wall for a couple of days

If your retaining wall is made up of all timber posts the best solution is to excavate and remove as it has properly rotted and will need a full replacement

Most retaining wall can be repaired by removing and replacing damaged parts

So before u demolish your retaining walls let an expert have a look to determand the best out come