Retaining Wall Question

[Maikeru-sama]

A house I am thinking about buying has a wooden retainer wall (the two houses on boths sides have them as well.) Im hesitant to buy it because I believe these structures attract termites.

Anybody know how much it would cost to change the wood to stone or brick?

Are these structures known for attracting termites? If so, even if I do replace the wood with stone or brick, I still have to worry about the neighbors' wooden retainer walls.

If I did decide to replace the structure, what are some of the pitfalls?

 

[YosemiteSam]

Stone work can be expensive. Although if you *find* the right person, it can be done for a decent price. Be careful as that right person may not know what they are doing.


As for termites, you can protect the wall and keep termites away from it. It just take a bit of effort to do it. Of course, stone wall requires effort to take care of it too. I have a four foot high wood retaining wall around one side of my pool. The wall is 27 years old and while it doesn't look as nice as it did when it was new, it's still in good shape.

 

[burmafrd]

Depends on what wood the wall is made of. Some can be very resistant to termites and ants; or can be treated rather cheaply.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

Depends on what wood the wall is made of. Some can be very resistant to termites and ants; or can be treated rather cheaply.

I think I will have my Real Estate Agent ask what kind of Wood it is.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

Stone work can be expensive. Although if you *find* the right person, it can be done for a decent price. Although, be careful as that right person may not know what they are doing.


As for termites, you can protect the wall and keep termites away from it. It just take a bit of effort to do it. Of course, stone wall requires effort to take care of it too. I have a four foot high wood retaining wall around one side of my pool. The wall is 27 years old and while it doesn't look as nice as it did when it was new, it's still in good shape.

What kind of work is involved for stone?

What bothers me is even if I take care of my wall, to make it termite proof, I cannot count on my neighbors to do the same.

 

[YosemiteSam]

What kind of work is involved for stone?

What bothers me is even if I take care of my wall, to make it termite proof, I cannot count on my neighbors to do the same.

Stone work is a craft and it takes a level of skill, unless you're just replacing it with concrete blocks. Even then, you want to make sure it's done right.

If you switch your wall to stone, who says your neighbors will take care of their wall? Unless you plan on doing their wall too! :laugh2: So, them taking care of their wall isn't even relevant to what you do with your wall.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

Stone work is a craft and it takes a level of skill, unless you're just replacing it with concrete blocks. Even then, you want to make sure it's done right.

If you switch your wall to stone, who says your neighbors will take care of their wall? Unless you plan on doing their wall too! :laugh2: So, them taking care of their wall isn't even relevant to what you do with your wall.

No, I meant, if I replace my wall, I still have wooden retainer walls on both sides of me, which still could mean termites.

 

[Yeagermeister]

You can find someone at Home Depot to do the stone work for you.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

The Retaining Wall is Railroad Ties, but I have all but passed on this house in favor of another one.

 

[burmafrd]

If they are old time railroad ties then they are absolutely soaked with Creosote and you really do not have to worry about it.

 

[theebs]

If they are old time railroad ties then they are absolutely soaked with Creosote and you really do not have to worry about it.

you should find out if there is a homeowners association. If there is they may not even let you change it. It might be a look that everyone wants and likes.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

They do have an HOA (that seems to be the case for all of Allen, TX). They are definately pro-masonry, even though you would have to get approval from the Agricultural Committee .

However, I decided to pass on the house for more reasons than the Wood Retainer Wall.

No deal yet, so I may have to reconsider this house if the other one doesn't go through.

 

[big dog cowboy]

you should find out if there is a homeowners association. If there is they may not even let you change it. It might be a look that everyone wants and likes.

That is a great point.

Finding out before hand could prevent later.

No one likes surprises like that.

 

[theebs]

They do have an HOA (that seems to be the case for all of Allen, TX). They are definately pro-masonry, even though you would have to get approval from the Agricultural Committee .

However, I decided to pass on the house for more reasons than the Wood Retainer Wall.

No deal yet, so I may have to reconsider this house if the other one doesn't go through.

Good Luck man, Its fun and agitating looking for a house and there always is seemingly one thing you like a little more about every house you look at!!!!

 

[Yeagermeister]

I have to pay $100 a year to a HOA and I haven't figured out what they do with it.

 

[tomson75]

I have to pay $100 a year to a HOA and I haven't figured out what they do with it.

They use it to print out flyers to remind you to clean your yard every spring, and rake your leaves every fall....at least thats' what the one where I live does.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I have to pay $100 a year to a HOA and I haven't figured out what they do with it.

I get two bills. I'm supposed to pay $100. They call it a donation for security.

However, I get a tax bill for $450, as well. My escrow acct covers it.

Oh and good luck Mick with the house search. Should be fun times.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

Good Luck man, Its fun and agitating looking for a house and there always is seemingly one thing you like a little more about every house you look at!!!!

Yeah, I have seen about 40 houses so far. I thought I would hate that aspect of the search, but I actually enjoy it now.

There have been 2 houses that I really liked. The first, I thought I was very close to getting it, but at the last minute, someone came in and outbid me.

The funny thing is, the house with the Wood Retaining Wall, it on the same street as this house, but on the opposite side.

For the second house, I am in the middle of negotiating the terms of the contract. We are down to very minute details and I am waiting to hear from my Real Estate Agent if they like some of the terms I asked for.

The seller is extremely motivated to sell as he needs these proceeds to get his new house, but I have been in the neighborhood about 3 times and have seen people looking at the house, so I am scared someone may come in and take the house.

 

[Yeagermeister]

They use it to print out flyers to remind you to clean your yard every spring, and rake your leaves every fall....at least thats' what the one where I live does.

I get a flyer every so often to remind of meetings I never go to. Maybe I'd find out what they do if I went to one of them. lol

 

[Maikeru-sama]

I get two bills. I'm supposed to pay $100. They call it a donation for security.

However, I get a tax bill for $450, as well. My escrow acct covers it.

Oh and good luck Mick with the house search. Should be fun times.

I remember talking to you way back in October about getting a house. About 2 months ago, I got really serious about getting a house.

My Real Estate Agent is in church until 3 PM CST, so I am waiting to see if there is any news from the seller. If the seller accepts my terms, I think I will be getting a very good bargain .