Yes you can. If you’re only creating a structure that’s one or two sleepers in height you don’t necessarily need foundations, which means you can lay your railway sleepers onto the soil. Though you’ll want to make sure you use some kind of waterproof membrane so that sleepers don’t soak up water from the soil.
Do railway sleepers need foundation?
Sleepers can be laid directly onto firm ground, however it’s recommended that at the very least a bed of sand or aggregate is used to assist drainage and provide a firm footing. Purists will always insist on a concrete bed, however if the wall is additionally supported by posts then this is not always necessary.
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What are the disadvantages of wooden sleeper?
Disadvantages of Wooden Sleepers
They are easily liable to attack by vermin and weather.
They are susceptible to fire.
It is difficult to maintain gauge in case of wooden sleepers.
How long do railway sleepers last? Railway sleepers will last for years, with our softwood treated sleepers typically lasting around 8 to 10 years due to the pressurised treatment, and UC4 treatments extending this to 15 years.
Can you lay railway sleepers on a patio? – Related Questions
How do I stop my railway sleeper from rotting?
Wood preservative treatments provide garden sleepers with protective properties that help prevent rot, mould and fungal growth, as well as help to form a defence against the elements. It is best to apply a wood preservative before installation of your sleeper, so that you can paint all sides.
What can I use instead of railway sleepers?
The best thing for such longevity is probably to lay brick down. Otherwise you could possibly use those black recycled plastic posts and boards you see around the place which might offer you more flexibility (as you could make them removable like a compost heap) but they will probably cost quite a bit.
Do old railway sleepers rot?
Like all wood, sleepers will eventually rot and fade when exposed to the weather. To prevent them falling to bits before their time, you need to use a good wood preserver.
How long will a sleeper last in soil?
As a rule, hardwood oak sleepers tend to last the longest naturally with an expected lifespan of around 100 years. An untreated softwood will last for between three and five years if it sits on the ground, whilst treated softwoods can last between 20 and 30 years if they are maintained correctly.
Explanation: Concrete sleepers have the best service life and are being extensively used in Indian railways nowadays. Whereas wooden sleepers have the least service life.
How do you keep wooden sleepers from rotting?
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.
Do railway sleepers attract termites?
Avoid using railway sleepers in the garden
While we agree railway sleepers look great, they are attractive to termites just like some mulch is highly attractive to termites. Railway sleepers and mulch is the ultimate playground for a termite colony to live and thrive in.
How do you anchor sleepers to the ground?
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.
Do I need to line sleepers?
You may want to add bricks or stones at the bottom before the soil to increase drainage. Our timber sleepers are made from a specific class of timber for use in ground and water contact, so lining the beds is not essential.
How far apart should railway sleepers be?
The recommended separation between supports (sleepers) can vary between 0.546 m (wooden cross sleepers and a 0.152 m thick section of ballast) and 0.711 m (concrete sleepers and a 0.203 m thickness of ballast), and in these cases, the continuous welded rail is recommended.
Lining your raised bed with landscaping fabric, polythene or permeable membrane before adding in soil, is also a popular choice for increased durability. Using heavy duty staples and a staple gun, secure the liner to the sides of the bed before trimming the excess away.
How do you attach sleepers to concrete?
Stick lengths of threaded bar in the concrete at 800mm or so intervals, plumb with a spirit level as the concrete goes down, then cut to length once cured, drill the sleepers and countersink the hole first with an 1 1/2″ or 2inch spade bit then slide them over the rods and use a nut and washer to tighten up.
How do you secure sleepers on top of each other?
If you are stacking the sleepers horizontally on their broadest side, e.g. on the 250mm width of a 250mm x 125mm sleeper, then all you need to do is to overlap the joints of the sleepers, from layer to layer, like building a brick wall, and fasten each layer to the layer below with timber lock screws or similar.
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