Hi
I have had a brick planter built in my front garden as part of a new front garden wall with railings and gate.
The planter itself is approx 3.75m wide by 60cm tall and 20cm depth.
My initial plan was to just fill the planter with earth and then plant box hedging so you get the green plants contrasted against the black railings.
I'm now thinking that some kind of drainage and waterproofing should be used, otherwise the damp earth could result in the brickwork of the wall being permanently damp. This would look bad and could lead to green algae growth on the bricks.
Am I right in thinking along this line ?
There is a 40cm concrete foundation under the wall so no chance of drainage there.
My proposed plan is as follows, but I would be grateful for any other suggestions or ideas:-
1) Paint 3 coats of bitumen / or rubber based waterproof paint on the inside and base of the planter, up to 1 brick below the top of the planter.
Which paint type should I use ?!
Rubber based like this -
http://www.screwfix.com/p/cementone...ils_container Or bitumen like this - http://www.sovchem.co.uk/paints-surface-coatings/specialist-paints/bitumen-paint.html
2) Drill 5 weep holes approx 18mm wide through the wall into the planter on the patio side approx 10cm above the ground.
Fit plastic pipe into these holes.
3) Fill planter approx 20cm deep with medium crushed and washed stones so that the stones cover the drilled holes and plastic pipe.
4) Place some kind of mesh fabric over the stones to allow water through but to stop the earth flushing through.
5) Fill with earth ?
What kind - top soil ?
6) Plant the box hedging ?
Do readers think I am on the right path with this project, as I'm just not quite sure the best way to finish this project off.
I designed the wall and railings and planter but only just thought about the potential damp issues when there is half a ton of earn in there.... doh !
Many thanks in advance.
I have had a brick planter built in my front garden as part of a new front garden wall with railings and gate.
The planter itself is approx 3.75m wide by 60cm tall and 20cm depth.
My initial plan was to just fill the planter with earth and then plant box hedging so you get the green plants contrasted against the black railings.
I'm now thinking that some kind of drainage and waterproofing should be used, otherwise the damp earth could result in the brickwork of the wall being permanently damp. This would look bad and could lead to green algae growth on the bricks.
Am I right in thinking along this line ?
There is a 40cm concrete foundation under the wall so no chance of drainage there.
My proposed plan is as follows, but I would be grateful for any other suggestions or ideas:-
1) Paint 3 coats of bitumen / or rubber based waterproof paint on the inside and base of the planter, up to 1 brick below the top of the planter.
Which paint type should I use ?!
Rubber based like this -
http://www.screwfix.com/p/cementone...ils_container Or bitumen like this - http://www.sovchem.co.uk/paints-surface-coatings/specialist-paints/bitumen-paint.html
2) Drill 5 weep holes approx 18mm wide through the wall into the planter on the patio side approx 10cm above the ground.
Fit plastic pipe into these holes.
3) Fill planter approx 20cm deep with medium crushed and washed stones so that the stones cover the drilled holes and plastic pipe.
4) Place some kind of mesh fabric over the stones to allow water through but to stop the earth flushing through.
5) Fill with earth ?
What kind - top soil ?
6) Plant the box hedging ?
Do readers think I am on the right path with this project, as I'm just not quite sure the best way to finish this project off.
I designed the wall and railings and planter but only just thought about the potential damp issues when there is half a ton of earn in there.... doh !
Many thanks in advance.
