How to repair a garden bed wall?

[bradkiera]

Hi All! 

Would love some thoughts on how best to rectify this small retaining wall, it seems as though most of the wall was done properly, then the rest that was hidden behind the shed was not.. there is a small section with no wall at all (about 15cm), then it juts out at one place, then it looks totally DIYed using left over pavers and bricks. 

What would be the best method and materials to fix this, I'd love to save it and fix it up instead of tearing it down - it doesn't need to exactly match the other side, just look better! 

Thank you !  

 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @bradkiera,

For the first wall, you could likely install a small retaining wall constructed from sleepers in front of it. You'll need to remove the two large concrete blocks to create space for it. This would improve the look of the wall significantly. Provided the existing wall is structurally sound, the new retaining wall can be aesthetical with minimal footings. I'd recommend you use Jack Retainit posts and treated Pine sleepers.  

For the wall in your second picture, you could do the same thing, and that would likely be the easiest solution. Alternatively, you could remove the soil and the concrete proud of the wall and use concrete blocks to reform the wall. Adding fibre-cement sheeting and rendering it to mimic the rest of the wall would also be an option.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[bradkiera]

Thanks Mitchell! 

If we were to try and mimic the rest of the wall, what would be the best products to use? We have cream bricks we can use to continue the bricks along the top of the wall. 

What concrete blocks would you use to reform the wall? I assume this would be only in the sections that are missing concrete/the soil is falling through? For the sections that are uneven, but structurally sound, if we make it all flush - what products do you use to do the fibre cement sheeting and rendering? 

Thank you!

[MitchellMc]

I think you really need to remove some soil and the additional concrete at the front of the wall @bradkiera and discover what is there. Once you've removed everything in front of the wall you can then get a better idea of how it will need to be built back up to the flush with the rest of it. Either bricks or concrete blocks would be needed to rebuild the wall.

Compressed cement sheeting can be attached to the wall and rendered over.

Mitchell

[bradkiera]

Thanks Mitchell. We have dug away the soil and we definitely need to use some bricks to build in the gap where there is no wall! 

We have just received some second hand composite decking, do you think this could be used to clad the wall? (Also looking at making it a bench seat with it). 

I was thinking of using Dunlop ardit rapidset repair mortar to fix up the cracks and try  make it a little smoother, then cement in the gap, possibly paint it with solaguard and then clad on top?

What would you suggest to secure the composite to the wall, and is painting going to cause moisture issues?

thank you!

[EricL]

Hello @bradkiera 

I propose doing some measurements first to make sure you have enough panels to cover the garden bed wall. If you have enough panels, then covering it will not be an issue. Yes, you can use the Dunlop mortar to fix and tidy up the surface of the wall. Your thoughts on moisture issues are very valid. Hydrostatic pressure from the other side of the wall will push any surface paint off the concrete base so it would be best not to paint it.

To anchor the composite decking, I suggest using 70x35 H3 and using masonry fixings to keep it in place. The composite decking can then be screwed onto the timber frame.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[bradkiera]

Thanks so much Eric! We will give that a go. Inside of the wall is currently all sand and dirt retaining the paving above. To turn this into a bench seat, I assume we would also need a timber frame running both ways to secure the composite decking too. Would we also need vertical supports, or would the timber frame ontop of the pre-existing sand / dirt be sufficient? 

I assume we would need H4 timber for this purpose, and would you recommend some gravel or read base for drainage, or should the sand be sufficient? 

Thank you and have a good day!

[EricL]

Hello @bradkiera 

Yes, you are correct a timber frame will have to run both ways to secure the composite decking. A frame will also be needed for the seating area as well. Plus, anything going onto the side wall will also need support. Using H4 treated timber is ideal as it can have direct contact with the soil. I suggest using gravel as it is an ideal material for drainage.

Eric