Choose long, heavy-duty steel spikes or screws that can penetrate both the sleeper and deeply enough into the ground below. Hammer the spikes or use a power drill to screw through the pre-drilled holes until secure against the soil.
Get some 16mm tubing. To fix a 2.4m sleeper to the ground, you drill 16mm holes into the sleeper, about 75% deep, one at each end and two in the middle. Cut the tubing about 25-30cm long and push it into the sleepers, then jam the sleeper into the ground. Creates a nice solid wall with no brackets or screws visible.
One of the most popular options is to use steel rod pins or long landscaping screws. Alternatively, you can use metal plates and corner braces to build a strong, square finish for your garden sleepers.
Use a suitable length of wood or similar as shuttering, and mix up some sand and cement, and Chuck it into the gap underneath. For added strength, partially screw some screws into the underside of the sleepers, so when the mortar is setting underneath, it fixes the sleeper securely.
A novel solution is to nail two lengths of old ratchet strap to the top end of the sleeper and then trail this back to the earth behind, just keep them deep enough to be out of spade depth. 2 metre length should be adequate, the friction from weight of soil on the straps prevents the sleepers being displaced.
To fix railway sleepers to the ground, use spikes or screws designed for outdoor use to ensure they remain stable over time. For raised beds or structures requiring multiple layers of sleepers, stack them securely and fasten each layer together with landscaping screws.
A more untidy finish may add to a rustic appearance, if desired. Whatever you decide, to fix the two sleepers together, all you need to do is drill two landscaping screws into the joint. It may be worthwhile to drill pilot holes beforehand to reduce the risk of the timber splitting.
A prestressed concrete railway sleeper or tie is designed for a maintenance free service life (usually 50 years). The environmental factors affecting the service life are reviewed.
Railway sleepers are buried in the subgrade. To fix them, first using railway sleepers' fixings to harden up the ballast on the two sides, then evenly tamp the ballast under the sleepers and cover the space with ballast. It helps to improve the ballast density and track stability.
Timberlok screws are an alternative to traditional coach screws and can be used in a number of timber to timber applications. One of the most popular uses for Timberlok screws is fixing timber sleepers together.
Yes, you can lay railway sleepers directly on soil - but it's not always the best choice. For light garden features like paths or decorative borders, direct laying can work well if you prepare the ground properly. But for anything structural or permanent, you'll want proper foundations.
When placed in the ground, sleepers are in constant contact with soil, which holds moisture. Without proper protection, this dampness can lead to the wood rotting, especially in areas with heavy rainfall. The UK's unpredictable weather doesn't help either!
When fixing railway sleepers together, use steel landscaping screws as they are strong, won't corrode if they come into contact with timber treatment, and are available up to 250mm in length. With a hexagonal head they can be put in place using a power drill.
If you have well-draining soil, a layer of gravel or crushed stone can be an excellent option. Garden design with sleepers and gravel offers various benefits. Gravel allows for proper drainage, preventing water from pooling and potentially causing damage to the sleeper structure.
If you're using your sleepers for edging a lawn, make sure that the sleeper will be at the correct height once it's in position. A good way of stabilising a structure is to set your sleeper into concrete. However, you'll need to make the trench a little deeper to compensate for the space taken up by the concrete mix.
Softwood sleepers may last less than 5 years if they are not treated. Softwood sleepers come from pine and it is known that they are less resistant to decay. They need to be treated and maintained and then you can expect them to last for up to 20 years. Hardwood sleepers have been known to last up to 100 years.
Haunch at the back end of the sleeper and if possible, the front end too. This will help fix sleepers to the ground so they remain stable. If using sleepers for a low border or planter it may well be enough to fix a wooden post or spike behind the sleepers and fix this into the ground.
If you are using a concrete base you can use metal rods that you can drill into the foundation and directly into the sleepers. If you are only one or two sleepers high in height you may not need to fix the sleepers to the ground as often the weight of the sleepers themselves is enough to keep them firmly in place.
To preserve the sleepers further, we would recommend treating them with an exterior wood oil or decking oil, ideally twice a year in Spring and Autumn. This will help to repel water and prevent water ingress, the main cause of wood rot.
These sleepers are usually assumed to last perhaps 50 years, but changing operational and environmental factors can mean the actual life of the sleepers may be much shorter or longer.
A common question that we are frequently asked in respect of Used or Reclaimed Railway Sleepers is are the safe due to the creasote and the simple answer is yes they are quite safe to use but the EU directive states that they should not be used in areas where there may be frequent skin contact.
Clear Wood Oil or Decking Oil: These products are ideal for those who want their sleepers to age naturally to a grey or silver colour while still being protected from the elements. A clear oil will nourish the wood, making it supple and water-resistant, which helps protect it from water and frost damage.
The most common tools include: Circular Saw: Ideal for cutting straight lines and achieving accurate cuts in timber. Ensure you use a circular saw blade with the correct rating for the material. Reciprocating Saw: This power tool is perfect for more intricate cuts or if you're cutting sleepers already fixed in place.
If sleepers are fragmented or display signs of surface harm, gently sand those areas to yield a smooth finish. Contemplate applying a stain or varnish designed for outdoor use on softwood or hardwood railway sleepers, based on your sleepers' material.