Install and Secure First Timber Course
From Landscape Steps · Step 3 of 8 · Video by This Old House
Showing 1:21–2:04 of the source video.
What happens in this clip
Place the first course of pressure-treated timbers into the prepared trench, directly on the compacted crushed stone. Carefully align each timber with your established string lines. To secure the timbers to the ground, drill a series of holes through each timber. Then, drive 4-foot lengths of 1/2-inch rebar through these holes and into the ground below. When hammering the rebar, use a scrap piece of decking to protect the timber surface from damage. Throughout this process, regularly check the timbers for levelness using a torpedo level, both along their length and from front to back, adjusting as necessary until they are perfectly level.
Step 3 of 8: Install Retaining Timbers
Place the main retaining timbers into the excavated trench. Ensure they are level and plumb. For added stability, drive stakes into the ground behind the timbers and secure the timbers to the stakes with screws. Backfill lightly around the timbers to hold them in place.
Other videos for this step
Landscape Steps
This project involves constructing timber and gravel steps on a slope to improve accessibility and aesthetics. The process includes planning the layout, excavating the area, building retaining walls for each step using timber, and filling the steps with compacted gravel for a durable and functional surface.
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