The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Wed Jul 20, 2016 2:06 pm**

Hi

I have a retaining garden wall that I need to sort before laying my paving. It is 10.5m long and the finished height when paving goes down will be 1m.

It is a old wall built in the 60's, it has some broken bricks that I have been taking out and some of the pointing is bad due to the last owner growing ivy on it.

I had intended to replace the bricks, fix the mortar and paint it but I hadn't really researched this and I am now at the stage I need to get it sorted. Replacing the wall isn't going to happen as I would imagine it would be very expensive.

Having looked at masonary paint I have read the generally it doesn't last on retaining walls and that the paint flakes off due to dampness. So starting to think this isn't worthwhile.

The wall itself stays dryish but the bottom couple of courses are always wet.

Digging down the back of the wall to put in dpm isn't feasible.

So wondering about screening the wall with decking boards, maybe adding some lights etc but worried this will make it look pretty bad.

What do you guys think? paint or decking boards, render isn't really an option either as that's just going to crack and fail eventually.

Kinda hoping some of you guys have had to do something similar on one of your jobs and you could give me idea's as to what you used to screen the wall and how it looked when done.

Thanks

Posted: **Wed Jul 20, 2016 9:55 pm**

the answer from the regulars on here would be that we'd do it right and fix the wall either by rebuilding it or retrospectively tanking and draining it,

but if you want a solution that is not one of these then as you have stated create a void from the wall with some slate lat then clad in something decorative

https://www.google.co.uk/search?....AUIBigB

images here from google search

http://www.owenchubblandscapers.com/blog/garden-makeovers

Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1469048279

Posted: **Thu Jul 21, 2016 4:03 pm**

If you do end up painting it use pliolyte based paint as it will have a better chance of lasting.

In my opinion though cladding it or screening it would be better as old retaining walls are just a pain to properly finish.

Everything from basic roofing battens painted to cedar screening like giles second photo will all work. I would avoid decking as it will look naff and its a waste of thick timber. Fencing at 20mm thick will be fine for you. Random spacings of 4x1 3x1 6x1 will probably be most cost effective and quite quick.

Posted: **Thu Jul 21, 2016 6:48 pm**

Thanks for the replies and links. Liking that second pic, will look into cedar, guessing that will be expensive but if it comes to it tile batten and paint will do. I spent the day replacing broken bricks and repointing parts but even when I get it finished I reckon it will still look a bit to rough for paint.

The Brew Cabin

Retaining wall screen or paint