Railroad ties can be found when railroad tracks are moved and disassembled. Construct your home with the help of experienced builders. You will need help and heavy machinery to lift the heavy ties and stack them on top of each other. Place two-inch spacers in between each row of horizontally-laid ties.
How long will a railroad tie wall last?
Treated railroad ties, crossties or wooden sleepers are made primarily from wood and then treated with a preservative so they can last 30 years or more.
What can you build with railroad ties?
Increasingly, railroad ties are being used in combination with brick, sand, concrete, large rocks or gravel to create modern landscaping designs that have both a traditional and contemporary feel. Ties can be cut into any length to serve as in-ground steps, bed borders, mailbox posts or for other uses.
How toxic are old railroad ties?
The wood is preserved by soaking it in creosote, which is composed of over 300 chemicals, many of them toxic and persistent in soil. Exposure to creosote has been shown to cause cancer. Even topical contact with creosote can be dangerous.
Can railroad ties be used for structures?
Railroad ties can give your home a unique look. The comfortable 2,200 square foot, three-bedroom house studied here took one couple, with occasional help from their friends, five summer vacations' spare time to complete.
How do you connect two railroad ties together?
4:0410:37How to Landscape with Railroad Ties - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn through the other one as well locking the two together and then hammering it down a couple feetMoreIn through the other one as well locking the two together and then hammering it down a couple feet into the ground as well so this really holds nicely.
Are used railroad ties safe?
Railroad ties are treated with chemical preservatives, such as creosote and chromated copper arsenate. Both of these chemicals are banned for residential use, and they're potentially harmful to humans and plants.
How long does it take for creosote to leach out of railroad ties?
Complete decomposition is assumed to occur over approximately 40 to over 100 years. In areas where access is practical, some ties may be reclaimed by residents for landscape or fence uses, but the ties would still decay in about the same time.
How much does a 9 foot railroad tie weigh?
A: 160 to 200 pounds each, depending on species, preservative retention and moisture content.
Can you cut a railroad tie with a chainsaw?
1:074:34Cutting Railroad Ties with a Chainsaw vs Reciprocating Saw - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what you'll find is as you're cutting with your nice chainsaw you'll hit one those rocks and it'MoreSo what you'll find is as you're cutting with your nice chainsaw you'll hit one those rocks and it'll instantly dull the chain on your chainsaw.
Can termites live in railroad ties?
Use of insecticides like borates (disodium octaborate tetrahydrate) and/or pressure-treated wood (chromated copper arsenate) protect against termites and wood decay fungi. However, over time, even railroad ties, telephone poles and pressure treated wood can be subject to termite attack.
Will railroad ties rot in the ground?
Railroad ties have to routinely be replaced because of the decay that happens in the center of the ties. These ties often get re-sold as landscaping timbers where the decay and damage from wood destroying insects can continue until there is virtually nothing left except the exterior shell of the timbers.
Will termites eat creosote treated wood?
Borates and pressure-treatments protect wood against termites. However, even creosote-treated railroad ties over time can be damaged by termites. Never store firewood, lumber, newspapers, or other wood products against the foundation or within the crawl space.
What is the cheapest retaining wall to build?
The cheapest type of retaining wall is poured concrete. Prices start at $4.30 per square foot for poured concrete, $5.65 for interlocking concrete block, $6.15 for pressure-treated pine, and about $11 for stone.
Can you use railroad ties as a retaining wall?
A Deadman railroad tie is a railroad tie that runs perpendicular to the retaining wall and into the hill that you are building the retaining wall against. Deadman ties are great for ensuring the retaining wall is as solid as possible. We recommend using a deadman railroad tie every 20 feet of your retaining wall.
Can you use railroad ties for raised garden beds?
Gases released from creosote are also harmful in a closed space, so railroad ties should not be used in a greenhouse or indoors. Many other materials can be used for constructing a raised bed, so there is no reason to give up the idea.
How do I build a retaining wall with railroad ties?
How to Build a Railroad Tie Retaining WallStep 1: Level and Tamp Down the Area. ... Step 2: Cut the Area to Make a Snug Fit for the Railroad Ties. ... Step 3: Add in a Layer of Gravel. ... Step 4: Level the First Tie in the Wall. ... Step 5: Make Your Pins to Secure the Ties Together. ... Step 6: Drill Holes in the Tie for the Pins.More items...•
How were corner ties joined?
Corners were jointed as in block masonry with alternate beams from each wall continuing through. At each corner a steel dowel was let down through the ends of the ties, the full height of the wall. The holes receiving it may most easily be drilled as each timber is stacked.
What were the most uniform ties used for?
The most uniform ties were used for interior partitions. In the exterior walls the beams were laid to present the best face to the inside, and that face of the wall was plumbed even, putting all irregularities to the weather. Electrical conduit runs were then made within the joint spaces.
How to brace a wall plumb?
The wall may be braced plumb by constructing vertical bracing in pairs facing each other on either side of the wall and far enough from it to allow tamping behind. The ties may be held in place with blocking to each one from the braces. Block at ties only, leaving joints free for tamping.
Can you use coal tar creosote in a house?
This article is presented as part of Mother Earth News history, and should not be used as a guide for new construction. Coal tar creosote, even when the scent has dissipated, can cause negative health effects, and timber impregnated with it should not be used for dwellings.
Can railroad ties be used for front door headers?
Used railroad ties suitable for our purpose become available only when track is relocated. Check with the roadmasters in the spring. Larger switch ties and bridge timbers may be used for effect (e.g. front door header) but will be more awkward to handle and place.
What to do if you see old railroad ties?
If you see old railroad ties for sale, report the seller to the EPA; and warn your friends not to buy them.
Can railroad ties be used for retaining walls?
I found one online seller who specializes in them, boasting on their website that " Used railroad ties are great for retaining walls and other applications around the house."
Is it illegal to use old railroad ties?
So it's actually illegal to use old railroad ties in a home landscape.
Is railroad ties legal in Maryland?
Railroad Ties are NOT Legal for Home Landscape Use. Q: Pattie writes: "I recently bought a house just over the Pennsylvania border in Maryland. The previous owner had many garden beds, and the one he used for vegetables had old timbers surrounding it that looked questionable.
Can you throw away wood treated with creosote?
You should check on local and state regulations, though. Some areas may have restrictions on throwing away wood treated with creosote.
Do railroad ties cause cancer?
Long-term, direct skin exposure to the coal tar creosote in railroad ties, as with all forms of creosote, has been linked to cancer of the skin and scrotum. While railroad ties have weathered by the time they are retired by the railroads, it's recommended to wear long sleeves, pants and work gloves when handling them and washing these separately ...
Can you burn railroad ties in a fireplace?
You should avoid inhaling creosote vapors, which can be released by heat. The vapors of creosote tars can build up, as in chimneys. Railroad ties should never be burned in fireplaces or outdoors. Advertisement.
Can railroad ties be used to build raised beds?
Railroad ties seem like an inexpensive way to build raised beds or garden borders , but the dangers of treated railroad ties can outweigh the cost savings. The chemicals can seep into the ground and cause issues, especially if you see creosote leaking out of the wood. Contamination of the ground can cause the plants to die.
Can railroad ties cause water contamination?
Water Contamination Dangers. The dangers of treated railroad ties aren't limited to you and your family. Railroad ties can leach creosote into soil and water systems. Eating food or drinking water with high levels of creosote may cause burning in the mouth and throat, stomach pains, severe skin irritation, convulsions, ...
Can railroad ties be used in landscaping?
It's common to see old railroad ties used in landscaping as retaining walls, landscape ed ging or raised planter beds, but are there dangers of treated railroad ties you should consider? Railroad ties are treated with chemical preservatives, such as creosote and chromated copper arsenate. Both of these chemicals are banned for residential use, and they're potentially harmful to humans and plants. Make sure you understand the risks of using creosote railroad ties in your landscaping.
Can you burn treated railroad ties?
Another one of the dangers of treated railroad ties is inhalation. If you have old railroad ties on your property that you want to get rid of, you should never burn them. Burning can release toxins in the air, which can be dangerous to respiratory health. You should also avoid inhaling sawdust from creosote treated wood.
