Does a timber retaining wall need drainage?

I wouldn't put my reputation on the line. By not installing drainage you are forcing the hydraulic pressure behind the wall to find its own way out. Either by pushing the wall to failure or channeling under or around the obstruction. The other concern is the effects of constant moisture on the timbers. read more

By not installing drainage you are forcing the hydraulic pressure behind the wall to find its own way out. Either by pushing the wall to failure or channeling under or around the obstruction. The other concern is the effects of constant moisture on the timbers. read more

Dig a foundation trench for the first row of timbers (image 3). Make the trench about 8 inches deep. The base of the retaining wall should be half the wall's height. So, in our case, 1 foot wide for a 2-foot high wall (image 4). Tamp to a level base. One of the keys to a successful wall is a leveled foundation. read more