[HOGAN181]

We have an old railroad tie retaining wall that I would like to replace with decorative blocks of some sort. Can anyone tell me if this project is one better left to the experts or can anyone somewhat comfortable around home improvement projects manage this? I would appreciate some suggestions about where to start and how to extimate the amount of brick I need.
THANKS!
Hogan181

[glavine]

A Project Like This Is Maybe A Weekend Warrior Project. Id Say Try It. Ive Done A little Myself. Its Just A lot Of Digging, Im Not Much On That.
When You Pull Up The Rr Ties, Your Steps Will Be Already There To Lay On, You May Want To Add Some Sand Rock To Help Level Out Each Step.
As Far As Block I Would Assume You Could Find What You'd Need From Lowe's Or Homedepot, Seems To Me Most Of The Landscape Stories Are Just Way Over Priced For The Same Stuff.

[roadmanjim]

When I was growing up, we built many stone walls (New Hampshire). One of the lessons that I took away from that experience dealt with the issue of ground water. If there is not sufficient drainage behind the wall, it will become a dam and a cubic foot of water weighs a lot more than a cubic foot of soil. So, do your homework and take steps to allow ground water to escape from behind the wall either out the front or the ends. This was not an issue with the RR ties but could be with bricks.
Food for thought.

[HOGAN181]

thanks so much, both of you! the process seems more involved than I imagined, I may have a problem motivating my hubby for this one! Guess I should look into taking the safe, (although expensive!), way out and hire someone who knows what they're doing!
Hogan181:rolleyes: