How to Fix a Crumbling Dirt Wall

Pound stakes at each end of the dirt wall area, 12 inches in front of it. Tie a piece of string between the two posts to show the height of the entire wall.

Hang a second line between the posts to represent your first row of timber.

Dig a 12-inch deep trench along the wall line. Tamp down the dirt at the bottom of the trench to compact it.

Pour 6 inches of 3/4-inch stone into the trench.

Drill 9/16-inch holes into the timber pieces, equally spaced.

Place the timber into the trench. Place a 4-foot level on top to make sure it is level. Tap it with a rubber mallet to straighten it.

Place 4-foot rebar pieces into the 9/16-inch holes and pound them flush into the ground with a sledgehammer. This secures the wall in place.

Set the second course of timber on top, staggering the ends of the timber so they do not line up. Cut timber into smaller pieces if necessary.

Attach the second layer of timber to the first with an impact driver, using landscaping screws.

Apply landscape fabric along the front of the dirt wall. Lay the landscape fabric so a bit extra goes over the retaining wall and the dirt hill. Place 3/4-inch gravel on top of the landscape fabric to hold it down.

Set a 4-inch perforated pipe on top of the gravel and landscape fabric. Point the ends of the pipe toward the end of the retaining wall. This pipe will absorb water and push it out from behind the wall.

Cover the pipe with gravel and continue filling until there is no gap between the retaining wall and the dirt wall.