Midlandsproperty
New Member
Hi Everyone,
I’m new to this forum, and hoping that you guys can help with some much needed advice please.
I’ve been carrying out a substantial landscaping project, that has involved the removal of about 300 tonnes of soil off site.
When we’ve dug out, we have installed a retaining wall to the perimeter of the garden using a combination of 9” blocks (with reinforced bar) and 5” blocks (where there is little/no change in land levels). To the back of the garden, the existing soil was left in place when we dug out, and the 9” wall was built in front of this to retain the road that runs up the back (which is around 4 foot higher than the current finished level) I also built parts of the wall as tight to the boundary as possible (where there was no intention to have a planter, and to maximise the size of the garden).
I have not installed any form of DPC membrane, or tanking to the inside of the planter due to the existing soil being left in place.
I had the new blockwork rendered with monocouche render last summer (no primers, and any form of tanking to the inside of the new brickwork), and due to the original plan being to install metal coping, I installed some marine ply to the top of the wall in preparation for this.
I know that I should have put some tarpaulin on top of the wall to stop water coming down the wall through winter, but looking at what’s happened I think that the least of my worries. ☹
The soil that’s in the planters is leaching water through the wall, and it’s made a mess of the render in a number of places. (please see photos attached)
Whilst potentially, some of the planters could be dug out (and lined/tanked), there are parts where this would just not be possible.
I guess my question is…. what are the options available?
I have spoken to a couple of people, and had the following options thrown into the mix. I have also commented on each option, as to what I see as the pro’s and con’s, but please let me know what you think.
My preference (if this would work?) would be to remove the current monocouche render. Externally tank the wall, and then re-render. I would only want to do this if I could be sure that the same problem would not come back further down the line (once I’ve installed copings etc).
If you guys could please let me know what you think the best option would be, it would be most appreciated.
The removal of all of the internal planter soil is not an option due to the sheer volume, and also parts of the retaining wall being too tight to get in to do this.
Many thanks for your help.
Mark.
I’m new to this forum, and hoping that you guys can help with some much needed advice please.
I’ve been carrying out a substantial landscaping project, that has involved the removal of about 300 tonnes of soil off site.
When we’ve dug out, we have installed a retaining wall to the perimeter of the garden using a combination of 9” blocks (with reinforced bar) and 5” blocks (where there is little/no change in land levels). To the back of the garden, the existing soil was left in place when we dug out, and the 9” wall was built in front of this to retain the road that runs up the back (which is around 4 foot higher than the current finished level) I also built parts of the wall as tight to the boundary as possible (where there was no intention to have a planter, and to maximise the size of the garden).
I have not installed any form of DPC membrane, or tanking to the inside of the planter due to the existing soil being left in place.
I had the new blockwork rendered with monocouche render last summer (no primers, and any form of tanking to the inside of the new brickwork), and due to the original plan being to install metal coping, I installed some marine ply to the top of the wall in preparation for this.
I know that I should have put some tarpaulin on top of the wall to stop water coming down the wall through winter, but looking at what’s happened I think that the least of my worries. ☹
The soil that’s in the planters is leaching water through the wall, and it’s made a mess of the render in a number of places. (please see photos attached)
Whilst potentially, some of the planters could be dug out (and lined/tanked), there are parts where this would just not be possible.
I guess my question is…. what are the options available?
I have spoken to a couple of people, and had the following options thrown into the mix. I have also commented on each option, as to what I see as the pro’s and con’s, but please let me know what you think.
- Baton the facia of the existing render, and install some concrete based external render boards, and then re-render. Although I have been told that the render will need to be silicone based rather than monocouche. (the boards are expensive, and will mean that I loose a good bit of space, due to the width of the baton/ and new board) and the copings as a result will need to be re-measured, as they will be wider), although I’ve not actually ordered these yet… thankfully.
- Remove the existing monocouche render, and go for a sand & cement option with some additives. (I would ideally rather go with a monocouche style finish though)
My preference (if this would work?) would be to remove the current monocouche render. Externally tank the wall, and then re-render. I would only want to do this if I could be sure that the same problem would not come back further down the line (once I’ve installed copings etc).
If you guys could please let me know what you think the best option would be, it would be most appreciated.
The removal of all of the internal planter soil is not an option due to the sheer volume, and also parts of the retaining wall being too tight to get in to do this.
Many thanks for your help.
Mark.
