DIY - Building a 3 Tiered 6x6 Timber Retaining Wall & Stairs - Part 1 of 2

Part 1 - Step by step on how I built this 3 tier retaining wall and stairs in dry clay. Also some tool hacks and equipment I used to make things easier when working by yourself.
I had to stop for winter. See part 2 as I am now done this project as of this Spring of 2024.
Link to Stairs Calculator: www.calculator.net/stair-calc...
Material used:
- 6x6 Preserved Wood Timber (below ground rating, 16ft,12ft & 10ft cut to lengths)
- 3ft Rebar (1/2 inch)
- 3/8 inch x 10 inch U2 Construction Screws (designed for 6x6 Preserved wood timber)
- 3.5 oz Non Woven IP Fabric (NOT landscaped fabric)
Suppliers used:
- Gravel from Rolling Mix Concrete - www.rollingmix.ca
- Lumber & Rebar from RONA - www.rona.ca/en/store/british-...
- Compactor Equipment Rental from PG Rental Center - www.pgrentalcentre.com
Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:10 - Tools used to make work easier
0:58 - Start of the foundation
2:13 - Cutting 6x6 with Skill Saw & Chain Saw & how to move large timber easily
4:14 - How to get a perfect right angle (90 degree) on large timber layout
4:30 - Finishing the base foundation of the project
7:10 - Excavator removing trees
8:02 - Starting on the 1st 3ft wall (1 of 3 tiers)
10:47 - Starting on the 2nd 2.5ft wall (2 of 3 tiers)
12:04 - Building supplies and Gravel suppliers
16:33 - Starting on the 3rd 2.5ft wall (3 of 3 tiers)
18:39 - DIY tool hack - black iron pipe adapter to make pounding in 3ft rebar easier
19:30 - Back to finishing off 3rd tier
19:55 - DIY tool hack - modified a jackhammer bit to make pounding in 3ft rebar/ground rod super fast
21:20 - Done the framing of the 3 tiers
21:48 - Starting on the stairs
25:02 - Finished the stairs framing & added 6 mil poly prior to filling things in. Done for the winter.
#constructionhack #retainingwall #lakelife #diyprojects #6x6timber landscape #diy

[@carldavid1558]

That custom attachment for the hammer is brilliant.

[@arealf-ckingenious]

You REALLY do a nice job. Everything looks amazing.

[@deanbirks]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@brianbigger3669]

Nice work. I've done a retaining wall with 6x6 treated wood, non-woven geotextile and drain tile. I used galvanized spikes and structural bolts made for treated wood. I also used rebar where necessary but kept it to a minimum due to the corrosiveness of the chemicals used in treated wood. Your consideration for frost heave and drainage is key to keep a timber retaining wall in good shape for many year to come.

[@deanbirks]

Thanks. I never considered the corrosive nature of "end cut" on those 3ft rebar.

[@chriszamplione5349]

AWESOME WORK !!!

[@deanbirks]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jallenlandscape752]

i would recommend using a timber beam saw when cutting 6by6 timbers

[@lenhandenboer3072]

Awesome project! very inspiring.

[@deanbirks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@confusionsprings]

WHERE'S PART 2???!!! nicely done so far.

[@deanbirks]

Part 2 comes in spring. It's -30c and no fun to work in. :)

[@domenickesposito2384]

Coulda got a driver bit for that jackhammer to drive the rebar. SDS Max ground bar driver. 15 bucks on Amazon.

[@deanbirks]

My jackhammer has a weird end and non of those fit.

[@weyneshea8020]

Those are not real deadmen! They are supposed to be T shaped!