We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Garden wall repair
Options

neilmcl
Posts: 19,460 Forumite


My front garden wall's piers are topped off with brick on edge and due to a combination of moss growth and snow/ice getting in over the years the mortar is failing on some of them. I'm tempted to do the repair myself and was wondering what's the best mortar mix to use in this instance, particularly to prevent it happening again. Should I consier using a sharp sand in the mix. Also, I'm not sure whether a lime or cement based mortar was used as it looks very light, although I suppose this could be the sand that was used. Here's a pic of one of the worst piers.


0
Comments
-
4/1 sand/OPC would be a common mix for something like that. Sharp sand is a bit harder to work with for brickwork. One of the problem with a brick on edge is that a lot of bricklayers don't fill the joints properly.
If you DIY start in the center first. If you start at the edge you tend to push the end brick out a bit. Try and slope the bricks a bit so the moisture runs off.1 -
Consider buying some flat coping stones to place on top. They can look nice.
That would both cover up the dodgy mortar on the top and protect it from getting worse.
You might still have to redo some of the mortar on the sidesA man walked into a car showroom.
He said to the salesman, “My wife would like to talk to you about the Volkswagen Golf in the showroom window.”
Salesman said, “We haven't got a Volkswagen Golf in the showroom window.”
The man replied, “You have now mate".0 -
Pier caps are a good idea, but he will probably have to match another pier, and then possibly want to lay some matching coping on the wall.
Does protect the wall a lot better though.0 -
Belenus said:Consider buying some flat coping stones to place on top. They can look nice.
That would both cover up the dodgy mortar on the top and protect it from getting worse.
You might still have to redo some of the mortar on the sides0 -
Looks like the mortar used snowcrete (a white cement), perhaps with a bit of hydrated lime mixed in. If it is indeed a lime mortar instead, it should be fairly soft & friable. Drop a sample in to a bit of vinegar - If it fizzes, then it could well be a lime mortar.
Her courage will change the world.
Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.5K Spending & Discounts
- 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards