How to update a rock retaining wall?

[Roesland]

would anyone know if it is possible to render this retaining wall with something like bondcrete to repair & update it? The gentleman who originally built it used a fine screening sand in the concrete and it is now washing away with any rain that comes. We are in the process of landscaping our yard for our little one & this wall worries me. Or would it just be best to remove & replace it? 
thanks very much

   

[EricL]

Hello @Roesland 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about your retaining wall.

I'm putting my vote to replacing it. Due to the shallow slope a child could easily miss the beginning of the rock retaining wall and take a tumble. A timber retaining wall with a proper fence will keep your little one safe. The retaining wall can be built with sitting provisions to serve as a receiving area as it is close to your stairs. You can keep some of the stone elements if you wish by using it as a filler for your timber steps. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric 

[Dave-1]

Evening @Roesland 

Looking at the 3 photos I would also say its time to replace it, especially if you are redoing the landscaping of the yard.

I would actually keep the old rocks, chisel of the old sandy concrete and then build a new retaining wall without the slope, as in at a right angle using the stones. If you dont have enough stones then maybe a stretch of a straigh edge timber retaining wall or even do the steps in treated timber and the wall in reused stones. You will need a footing, a concrete footing for the same style fo fence you have tho.

If you dont want a footing and because you existing retaining wall is so low you could aslo go for a gabion styled retaining wall and fill it with the rocks you will be pulling up Gabion walls just need a compacted soil base to sit on, they provide free drainage and lizards love them. Also garden beds next to them benifit from the retained heat to extend the span of planting time for plants. My tomatoes love them

Gabion wall for front pathway This is a retaining wall for what looks like your height of your retaining wall.

Gabion wall bench seats Same wall but with a later add on of a recyled timber top to make them into Bench seats (This was always the intention )

Dave

[Roesland]

Thank you so much, I’ll have a look at the gabion links you’ve posted. 

[Roesland]

Thank you ☺️ 

[Nailbag]

Hi @Roesland 

I would replace it with a new timber one with long lasting gal posts. I would keep as many of the flatter rocks for landscaping, like new steps, retaining small gradients within garden beds or as part of a feature. The remaining rocks could be sold/given away.

Nailbag