A retaining wall system is the matched set of parts that hold soil back together: concrete sleepers, galvanised steel posts, concrete footings, drainage gravel with an agricultural pipe, and compacted backfill. Buy them as a matched system and the wall performs to its rated height. Mix and match parts that were never rated together and […]
A retaining wall is a structure that holds back soil where the ground changes level. Retaining walls prevent erosion, stop soil moving onto lower ground, and turn sloping blocks into flat, usable space. A retaining wall resists the sideways pressure of the soil behind it, plus any water in that soil, which is why drainage […]
Installing a concrete sleeper retaining wall follows the same sequence everywhere in Australia: confirm whether you need engineering and council approval (usually walls over about 1m, or lower near boundaries), set out and dig post holes, concrete the galvanised steel posts in plumb and in line, slot the concrete sleepers, then backfill in compacted layers […]
Standard concrete sleepers in Australia are 1.5m, 2m or 2.4m long, 200mm high and 75mm to 100mm thick. Length sets your steel post spacing, thickness sets how much load each sleeper carries between posts, and concrete strength (40MPa or 50MPa on our ranges) sets service life. Those three numbers are the whole sizing decision for […]
Concrete sleepers are renowned for their durability, strength, and even aesthetic appeal. They’re also versatile, coming in various shapes, sizes and designs to enhance your outdoor space. From incorporating stylish modern firepits to creating a garden feature, concrete sleepers are hot on the DIY list for handy homeowners. But how high can concrete sleeper retaining walls go? […]
Large-scale retaining wall projects, think subdivisions, car parks, rural driveways and civil batters, run on different rules to a backyard wall. Walls this size are engineer-designed as a matter of course, the steel is heavier, and the logistics of getting hundreds of sleepers onto site on a schedule matter as much as the materials themselves. […]
Climate decides how long a retaining wall material lasts. In Australia the three forces that matter are heavy rain loading the soil behind the wall, reactive clay soils that swell and shrink between wet and dry seasons, and coastal salt or humidity attacking steel and timber. Choose the material for your local conditions and the […]
As daunting as it may seem, there’s no need to panic or rush to call a professional for your retaining wall repair and upkeep. Our comprehensive DIY Guide to Maintaining and Repairing Retaining Walls lets you take charge of your landscape safety while fuelling your inner DIY enthusiast! Looking for ways to incorporate retaining walls […]
Understanding the rules and regulations surrounding the construction of a retaining wall is just as essential as the materials and tools you will need to build one. After all, compliance with local building codes ensures that your retaining wall is not only structurally sound but also legally permissible. These regulations can vary widely depending on […]
Old concrete sleepers can be recycled rather than landfilled. Concrete recyclers crush them into aggregate for road base and fill, and most metro areas have a facility that accepts clean concrete for less than landfill tipping fees. The steel reinforcement inside each sleeper is separated magnetically during crushing and recycled as scrap. Before you pay […]