building type question

[dave_s13]

Doing a load of work in my garden at the mo. My garden is approx 500mm higher than the patio area and is retained with these kind of blocks.



It's the top set I'm on about....that pic is for illustrative purposes only, so you know what kind of blocks I'm on about..

Basically I want a rendered finish over the blocks but can't be arsed to pull it down and build a new block wall. Can I just screw some boards to it and render on to that?

If so, question is, what type of boards do I need and how's it done?

The area to be rendered is only 3 courses high by approx 6m long.

[Firkin D]

I would render over with sand and cement rather than put board on it. Place some of that wire mesh stuff (I forget what its called, like angle bead but in sheets) over first to give you a key where the holes are.

The reason I would not use boards is because it is outside and long term I think sand & cement would work better.

Edited by Firkin D on Monday 13th October 20:20

Edited by Firkin D on Monday 13th October 20:59

[Maxf]

You might find the holes act as a drain - not a problem, just make sure you leave a few drain holes at the very bottom.

[Autonotiv]

How big are the holes in them blocks, wnad is it just soil behind them or brickwork?

[dave_s13]

Just soil behind them, they are approx 300sq (rough guess).
these things

There's actually only 2 courses by approx 6m long.

They're a really st choice for a retaining wall but not surprised given the general low quality of the exterior work on my house. To be fair though it's not like any f the garden has disappeared through the holes....and that's after 8 years!

[dave_s13]

Firkin D said:

I would render over with sand and cement rather than put board on it. Place some of that wire mesh stuff (I forget what its called, like angel bead but in sheets) over first to give you a key where the holes are.

The reason I would not use boards is because it is outside and long term I think sand & cement would work better.

Edited by Firkin D on Monday 13th October 20:20

This sort of stuff??



Expaned Metal Lathing

[Autonotiv]

you could render over them, aslong as you put that metal lating in, but my only concern is it would be hard work because the gear would just fall into the holes.

[Firkin D]

dave_s13 said:

Firkin D said:

I would render over with sand and cement rather than put board on it. Place some of that wire mesh stuff (I forget what its called, like angle bead but in sheets) over first to give you a key where the holes are.

The reason I would not use boards is because it is outside and long term I think sand & cement would work better.

Edited by Firkin D on Monday 13th October 20:20

This sort of stuff??



Expaned Metal Lathing

That's it, expanding metal.

Edited by Firkin D on Monday 13th October 20:59

[V12Les]

Anything short of taking it down and using concrete blocks is a fking bodge.

[dave_s13]

V12Les said:

Anything short of taking it down and using concrete blocks is a fking bodge.

Nowt wrong with a bit of a bodge, as long at it lasts a good few years. We won't be in this house for longer than 3-4 years anyway, if all goes to plan.

How about this for an alternative bodge:-

Dig out the earth behind the blocks and slot in treated timber boards (to retain the earth more effectively).

Jetwash the block faces nice and clean, masonary paint then new coping stones on top to finish.

Thing is, how long would timber boards last in that position?

[MrV]

dave_s13 said:

V12Les said:

Anything short of taking it down and using concrete blocks is a fking bodge.

Nowt wrong with a bit of a bodge, as long at it lasts a good few years. We won't be in this house for longer than 3-4 years anyway, if all goes to plan.

How about this for an alternative bodge:-

Dig out the earth behind the blocks and slot in treated timber boards (to retain the earth more effectively).

Jetwash the block faces nice and clean, masonary paint then new coping stones on top to finish.

Thing is, how long would timber boards last in that position?

Depends on the thickness of the timber and if it is treated or not


I would go for plan A myself but instead of drilling holes in the bottom of the wall some some waste/copper pipe and render around them ,use waterproofer in the render and use sharp instead of soft sand also I would not render to the very bottom of the wall but leave a 50mm gap and bell out the bottom of the rendering (you can buy a beading that does this)


Have you done any rending/plastering before ?

[mechsympathy]

dave_s13 said:

V12Les said:

Anything short of taking it down and using concrete blocks is a fking bodge.

Nowt wrong with a bit of a bodge, as long at it lasts a good few years. We won't be in this house for longer than 3-4 years anyway, if all goes to plan.

How about this for an alternative bodge:-

Dig out the earth behind the blocks and slot in treated timber boards (to retain the earth more effectively).

Jetwash the block faces nice and clean, masonary paint then new coping stones on top to finish.

Thing is, how long would timber boards last in that position?

If you're going to all that trouble, you might as well rebuild it in brick.

I'd be tempted to build a shutter an inch or two away from the wall and pour a load of concrete in. That way you get a nice flat surface to render onto (As you're likely to get pokets of air in the concrete.)

[mrmaggit]

Go with V12Les, take them down, replace with concrete blocks.