JackPot
Member
- Messages
- 1
- Location
- South Pennines
We have an old retaining wall in our garden, it's about 6m long and 1.6m high.
It is failing and leaning and needs rebuilding. Currently built from old gritstone blocks, that seem to be 150mm thick. Looks like it has been patched up with cement in the past, which may well have increased hydrostatic pressure and contributed to its decline. The ivy and privet shrubs above it also look like they have pushed it outwards so will be completely removed and this will be kept clear in future.
Wondered what thoughts people had on rebuilding this. One contractor mentioned replacing with gabions. Another suggested rebuilding using the existing stone, reinforced with concrete blockwork behind. If we went down this route we would insist on using lime mortar for the old stone (we've used NHL3.5 on other areas).
Online searches also suggested geogrid might be an option instead of blockwork reinforcement – I'd never seen this before.
Concerns from us are mainly around drainage and doing our best to avoid damaging the old blocks through use of cement.
Any advice from here appreciated.
It is failing and leaning and needs rebuilding. Currently built from old gritstone blocks, that seem to be 150mm thick. Looks like it has been patched up with cement in the past, which may well have increased hydrostatic pressure and contributed to its decline. The ivy and privet shrubs above it also look like they have pushed it outwards so will be completely removed and this will be kept clear in future.
Wondered what thoughts people had on rebuilding this. One contractor mentioned replacing with gabions. Another suggested rebuilding using the existing stone, reinforced with concrete blockwork behind. If we went down this route we would insist on using lime mortar for the old stone (we've used NHL3.5 on other areas).
Online searches also suggested geogrid might be an option instead of blockwork reinforcement – I'd never seen this before.
Concerns from us are mainly around drainage and doing our best to avoid damaging the old blocks through use of cement.
Any advice from here appreciated.