The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Fri Dec 30, 2011 1:02 pm**

hi all

I constructed a rill for a relative over in essex coming up three years ago, and it now has developed a problem which i need to know how to fix
There are three elements. A top section, and two lower sections:

basically, the idea is that each section hold water, so when the pump is switched on, it doesn't take eons for them to fill, and the bottom pond doesn't drain!
the top pond has cracked across its width, all the way up to the brickwork:

the next level has done the same, but at its lowest point.:

the whole thing was built on reinforced rreadymix concrete, on top of butyl liner, then the brick work was done (9"), with a coat of waterproof render.

the question is, i have tried to chop out the sections and fill with new render, but it failed.(you can see in places i have done this)
How do i fix this problem. I assume i need to chop out the brickwork and re do it?

some more photos

Posted: **Fri Dec 30, 2011 6:05 pm**

Something is wrong somewhere, you might assume a leak would wash away soil from under the base causing subsidence, i would think it'll never be right now. Dont know if fibreglass lining would work?

Posted: **Fri Dec 30, 2011 6:12 pm**

it looks like the concrete base has failed dan
tree root perhaps?
you could try cutting out the affected bricks and replacing but i fear the concrete maybe cracked
looks tidy as well
LLL

Posted: **Fri Dec 30, 2011 6:19 pm**

funnily enough tony there is a large tree nearby, and i did wonder if that was the case
If i kango up the broken patch, and re concrete and re lay the bricks, i just wonder if that will do the trick. How do i get a good bond between old and new?
I should add that a pond paint has also been applied

Posted: **Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:25 pm**

if the concrete either side is good you could resifix rebar 300mm into it
either way
but i would be more concerned about what caused the movement
if there is a big ole root down there same thing may happen again
the bottom seems to be holding water
maybe just redo the brickwork for now and monitor
LLL

Posted: **Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:27 pm**

If it's losing water then it's usuallyterminal I'm afraid Rills are notorious for this and luck really needs to be on your side if a patch is going to work. Your only guaranteed fix would be to line it with rubber which if done well could still look good. Take off the soldier course overlay the rubber by 40mm and put the course back on. Glue it well and double tape any cuts and seams if you do it neatly then it'll fit well and shouldn't have to many creases. Normally it's the runs between the ponds that fail but if the ponds backs are broken then you can't fix that without starting again.

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:00 pm**

good news.
I fixed the top two ponds.
Chopped out all the render on the base, and up the cracked sides.
Re applied render, using Wizrad fibres in the mix.

Customer phoned to say its holding water!

Phew

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:50 pm**

thats good to hear dan, but i fear long term if the cause of the crack is not addressed
LLL

Posted: **Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:33 pm**

thats good to hear dan, but i fear long term if the cause of the crack is not addressed
LLL

indeed, we know that there is a large tree in the vicinity, so i suspect a test hole by the side and an axe will be in order if it fails again!

Posted: **Fri Apr 27, 2012 9:17 pm**

pleased for you dan, would have been an arse if you need to redo it.

will be in contact shortly re: trying to get grit sand equivalent out of your crusher.

The Brew Cabin

Rill - Water feature needs fixing