Maintain Old Single Skin Garden Wall

[BathDIY]

Hello,

I have a single skin 30-meter garden wall (see attached) its approaching 50 years old and is in poor shape in places. As you can see the top courses are a bit knackered in places, there are also spalled bricks and some repointing that needs doing. The wall retains some of the garden earth up to 3 bricks worth but there's no, gravel or drainage which I guess is normal if it's this shallow. Periodically columns are added to provide structure.

I was going to replace spalled and damaged bricks and repoint where it's really bad.

I also wonder if a product like Thompsons Water Seal might help prolong the life of the wall, even if I just add this to the top few courses?

Is there any value in retrofitting gravel or drainage to prevent frost damage?

How would the pros handle this to get the longest useful life out of this wall?

Justin

 

[Nige F]

Those flettons will always spall in that situation - surprised they're not worse. Problem is replacing some will look like filled teeth You could try coating the top with water repellant to hold it back a bit.

 

[BathDIY]

Thanks for the advice Nige F will try repairing (not replacing) and treat just the top with water repellent.

Yes, I take your filled teeth point but better than missing bricks I guess.

Justin

 

[Bonni]

Single skin is known as half brick. Use 3 sand : 1 cement for garden walls and frost proof bricks.