Garden

4th October 2023 Garden

How To Damp Proof A Retaining Garden Wall

Damp-proofing a retaining garden wall is key to preserving both its structural integrity and the surrounding landscape. Taking preventative measures can guarantee your garden wall stands firm against moisture damage.

Retaining garden walls are useful and attractive additions to any outdoor space. They stop soil erosion, create differing levels in the landscape, and add visual appeal. However, these walls are exposed to different weather conditions, such as rainwater and humidity, which can lead to dampness issues over time.

To properly damp-proof a retaining garden wall, starting with correct construction methods is essential. Utilizing quality materials like waterproof mortar or cement mixtures can raise the wall’s resistance to moisture penetration. Additionally, including a damp-proof membrane during construction or applying an outside tanking system after construction provides extra protection.

Regular maintenance is also an important element in avoiding dampness issues in garden walls. Keeping the wall clean of dirt and debris allows for better water runoff and reduces the odds of moisture accumulation. Inspecting the wall for cracks or gaps periodically and fixing them swiftly helps preserve its durability.

Damp-proofing a retaining garden wall needs careful consideration and proactive measures. By utilizing proper construction techniques, conducting regular maintenance checks, and seeking professional guidance when needed, you can guarantee your garden wall remains strong and attractive for years to come. Let’s now explore the various methods and techniques that can help damp-proof your retaining garden wall efficiently.

Understanding The Importance Of Damp Proofing For A Retaining Garden Wall

A damp-proof barrier is a must for any retaining garden wall. Without it, moisture can seep in, weakening the wall and causing structural issues. Plus, mold, mildew, and other bad microorganisms can grow and cause health issues.

The right materials must be used depending on the soil composition and water table levels in your area. For maximum protection, consult a professional who specializes in waterproofing systems. They will identify problem areas and provide tailored solutions.

Assessing The Condition Of The Retaining Garden Wall

Assessing a garden wall’s condition is essential to deciding the amount of damp-proofing needed. Here’s a 4-part guide to assess your wall:

Look for cracks or damage: Check the entire area for chips, crumbling mortar, or any cracks. These can show weaknesses that may let in moisture.
Check for water stains or white powdery residue: Spot water seepage discoloration on the wall or white powdery residue – ‘efflorescence’. This implies that water has been evaporating from within the masonry.
Observe soil movement near the wall: See if there are signs of soil shifting or bulging close to the wall. Unstable soils can cause lateral pressure, leading to structural instability and possible dampness.
Monitor drainage conditions: Check gutters, downspouts, and surface runoff paths to see how well the drainage system works. Poor drainage can cause too much moisture around the retaining wall.

Plus, note any damp issues that occurred before and make sure they have been taken care of before doing anything else.

Pro Tip: Get professional assistance when assessing the wall’s condition to make sure damp problems and proper measures are identified and taken immediately.

Gathering The Necessary Materials And Tools

To damp-proof your retaining garden wall, gather the following materials and tools:

Waterproof membrane: Purchase a high-quality, outdoor-resistant version.
Damp-proofing paint or sealant: Choose one that creates a barrier against water infiltration.
Paint roller or brush: To apply the paint or sealant evenly.
Cleaner/brush: To clean the wall’s surface.
Protective gear: Wear goggles, gloves, and a mask.

Research and select the best materials and tools according to the wall’s material and condition. Consult with experts for tailored recommendations. Opt for high-quality products with good adhesion, long-lasting protection, and UV resistance. Use an appropriate painting tool for optimal coverage. With these materials and tools, you can provide your wall with effective damp-proofing and long-lasting protection.

Preparing The Retaining Garden Wall For Damp Proofing

For any home improvement project, proper preparation is vital. This is especially true for protecting your garden wall from dampness. By following these steps and investing in suitable products, your structure will stay dry and you can enjoy your outdoor space for years.

Steps to take:

Clean the wall surface with a stiff brush or pressure washer, to remove dirt, debris, and loose materials.
Look for cracks or damage that can let in moisture and repair them with filler or mortar.
Apply a waterproofing primer using a brush or roller, to create a barrier against water penetration.
Install a damp-proof membrane on the entire wall.
Finish off with a weather-resistant render or coating.

Plus, take into account drainage and landscaping around the wall, to prevent water accumulation and damage.

Applying A Damp Roofing Solution

Clean the wall properly, using a wire brush or scraper for tough debris.
Find a damp-proofing product suitable for the wall material. Ask a professional if you’re not sure.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to mix the solution.
Apply an even layer of the product with a brush or roller.
Let the solution dry fully before applying more layers.
Check the wall for coverage.
Inspect regularly for moisture and damage.
Don’t neglect damp-proofing – it can cause mold and instability.
Take action to protect your retaining garden wall and have a durable structure!

Uncover more: How To Damp Proof Wood Walls DIY

Adding Additional Protective Measures

To protect your retaining garden wall, extra steps are needed. These can ensure its durability and structural integrity for years. Here’s a 6-step guide:

Evaluate the wall’s condition and check for any damage or weaknesses.
Clean the surface with a water and detergent mix. This is for proper adhesion of protective materials.
Apply a waterproof coating for masonry surfaces. Use a brush or roller.
Add drainage systems, such as weep holes or French drains, at regular intervals along the base of the wall. These help redirect excess water away.
Consider adding a waterproof membrane for extra protection. Put this on the entire wall before backfilling with soil.
Implement proper landscaping techniques. Grade and slope away from the wall to prevent water accumulation. Place plants and shrubs near the wall for water absorption and erosion prevention.

These measures help make the wall stronger against dampness and deterioration. They also reduce maintenance requirements and prolong their lifespan.

Maintaining The Damp Proofed Retaining Garden Wall

Regularly inspect the wall for cracks & fill them.
Monitor drainage nearby. Clear any blockages.
Clean the wall surface from time to time.
Maintain landscaping: avoid planting trees too close.
Redirect water flow away from the wall.
Schedule professional inspections.
Be attentive to details and design.
For persistent dampness, consult a specialist.

Conclusion

Ensuring the durability and strength of a retaining garden wall is essential and can be done with proper damp-proofing. Here are some steps to follow:

Pick a high-quality waterproof material, such as damp-proof bricks or concrete blocks.
Moreover, coat the external surface with a waterproof coating to provide an extra layer of protection.
Additionally, install drainage systems and weep holes to enable water drainage.
Furthermore, slope or grade the area around the wall to divert rainfall away from it.
Lastly, inspect and maintain the wall regularly. Fix any cracks or damages and clear any debris or vegetation near it.

Doing so will ensure your wall remains damp-proofed and intact.

4th September 2019 Garden

How to Organise Your Garden Shed

Organising your garden shed is often harder than it sounds. Garden sheds sometimes turn into a dumpsite for garden equipment and items we don’t want to store in the house, but don’t want to do away with completely either. However, the accumulated items in our garden shed can be very inconvenient, especially if we’re looking for something important. Freeing up shed space can also help you be a more efficient gardener.

So let’s have a look at the best ways to organise a garden shed.

Start with decluttering

The first step to organising your garden shed is by tackling the clutter. Start by taking everything out of the shed, and be ruthless in weeding out the things you can part with. If you haven’t used the item in over a year, it’s safe to say it’s fine to give or throw away. The English Garden recommends devoting a whole day to cleaning your shed to ensure that the decluttering is done properly. In setting aside a good amount of time to organise your shed, you save yourself the hassle of constantly looking for items in the future. In the long-term you will save yourself a lot of effort.

What not to store in your shed

When you’re deciding what to keep and what to throw away, it is best to know which items shouldn’t be stored in a shed. Country Living explains that temperature and moisture must be considered when storing something in a shed. Insulation, mould and humidity means that there are some household items that won’t store well. Canned food, wine, photographs, paint and glue are all subject to damage due to the temperature and humidity. Clothing and bedding can also be damaged by moths, and electronics run the risk of rusting. When decluttering your shed, make sure that none of these items are left behind. If you are using your shed as a storage space it should be functional and not a dumping ground.

Making the most of storage space

After you’ve decluttered your shed, the next step is to create storage space. There are many DIY upcycling projects that can create more effective storage units for your shed. Instead of placing small wooden crates on the floor, consider hanging some of them on the wall by suspending them on sturdy hooks. You can place anything from small tools to plants in them for easy access. You can also use hooks to hang larger tools on the wall, giving you more floor space. If you have fruit crates, you can also consider mounting them to the wall for extra shelves. With a fresh coat of paint and some woodwork, you can also transform an old ladder into shelves for a storage unit that maximises vertical space.

Storing valuable items

If you are leaving valuable items such as bikes or expensive garden equipment in your shed, it’s best to make sure that they’re properly stored and protected. This may mean upgrading your shed, especially if the current structure needs a lot of repairs. Investing in or building a metal shed is the best way to keep these types of items safe. Screwfix’s collection of metal sheds details how most models come with multiple padlock points for extra security. Aside from keeping your valuables secure, metal sheds are much harder to break into from the sides compared to wooden structures. This is something to keep in mind if you want to keep valuables safe and secure in your garden shed.

Repurposing a garden shed

With a decluttered and properly organised garden shed, you should consider using it for more unique purposes. You can transform freed up garden sheds into a small home bar, a tiny summer house, an indoor garden, or even a hobby room—the possibilities are endless. When it comes to DIY shed building creating or repurposing a shed on your own means that you have complete control over the design. However, it’s still vital to be thorough in order to achieve quality results. Being hands on with organising your garden shed means that you now have free reign on how to make the best use of your space. Just be careful that bad habits don’t creep back in and a year later you are back to square one.

1st September 2017 D.I.Y

DIY shed building – should you do it?

A shed is simple roofed structure or building usually made of wood where gardening equipment or tools can be kept. This building is usually made within the homes back garden for particular purposes depending on the intentions of the owner. The sheds differ in the simplicity of their structure and to the size, from the small sized roofs to the large structures with either windowless walls or toughened plastic or glass. Some people have also been known to turn them into bars which is a trendy idea that people keen on home brewing tend to do as a hobby and are a great way to relax after a hard days work, often referred to as a man cave.

The sheds are made from different materials, including metals or wood, while others made from pure rocks which is a lot less common than wood or metal due to the precision needed and the extra cost although it definitely looks amazing done with rocks. While those made for farming materials or for industrial storage are in most cases large and are built over wooden frames, those for home and garden storage tend to be wooden flat-pack or custom built from wood as it is much cheaper and easier to do and can last a very long time when properly protected from the elements with a protective covering like creosote and felt.

Pros and Cons of building own outdoor sheds

Advantages

The top most advantage of building a shed is that the individual will have complete control over its structural and aesthetic design. Doing this means that you can build in added features that fit your exacts needs based on the items you intend to store there or for the plan you have in mind overall, whereas with a bought shed your constricted by its preset dimensions and features.

In addition to this you may take your time when building the structure according to your own schedule rather than that of a professional who may be booked up for weeks which is quite common for local tradesmen. Be cautious of the weather though in this approach as you may attract spores and damp if left exposed during a rough, wet and windy period. It is a good choice to use pressure treated wood. Pressure treating is a preservative process that helps wood withstand the elements and wards off termites, microorganisms and fungal decay.

These are chemicals likely to be used in pressure treated wood:

Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ) (click here to learn about ACQ)
Copper Azole (CA) (click here to learn about CA)
Micronized Copper Azole (MCA) (click here to learn about MCA)

Disadvantages

Christopher Loft from Cad Joinery says that “the major disadvantage of having your typical home owner build their own shed is the lack of professionalism and training they have”. A professional will always have their work done according to the specifications required in the field of joinery. However, if an individual who lacks the professional training tries to build a shed from scratch, even a flat-pack, the result may not be as appealing or structurally sound as that of someone in the joinery profession, because of a lack of understanding in the construction process and lack of proper standards. A professional joiner will almost always be listed on bwf.org.uk and so must abide by a professional process to ensure they can be trusted to do a good job, especially since their reputation is at stake.

A number of things can, therefore, be noted from this, for example, the general resulting quality of the shed may be poor. This may result from the usage of low-quality materials which would not have been used if it was a professional carrying out the build. This could in turn incur more cost for repairs as more money might be needed to correct issues or replace wrongly used materials.

Moreover, the choice of location of the site also comes into play. A professional builder will be able to detect locations suitable for building such structures depending on its nature, whether wooden or metallic sheds and spot any potential risks hazardous to the structure in the long term such as subsidence, rot or incorrect placement which may hinder future maintenance like being too close to a wall or fence.

Where minimal skills are held by the homeowner, it becomes difficult for the individual to detect such minute precautions which may lead to bigger and more dangerous problems, if not prevented. For example, a wooden shed cannot be built in a higher place prone to heavy winds. The winds may bring down the structure affecting the cost to the owner.

Tools & Materials

If you are going to do this yourself you have the added cost of materials and tools, a builder will already own their tools and can cost the build efficiently. A home owner if doing something like this for the first time might not have all these tools or materials and the cost of doing a one off build would be highly inflated and maybe not worth the hassle unless you plan on doing more D.I.Y projects in the future and being able to reuse your tools.

Here are a few reviews and tips of various tools you may need to buy:

Decision

Whereas the individual always has an upper hand of creativity in the choice of design in building their own shed, it is required that the individual in question should plan more thoroughly in doings so. The individual need to have a plan for materials, layout, maintenance, organization and must be aware and be ready for challenges which may arise during the whole process.