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To seal or not to seal
leighw20
Posts: 6
Hi all, looking for some, what is maybe obvious advice on the following.
I am creating a couple of raised flower beds, using existing walls as 3 sides, with oak slippers creating the front 'wall', as per pictures.
In the top picture, as we you look, the left hand brick work is an already existing raised planting bed, the back wall is a wall that fronts up the patio, and the right hand brickwork is the edge of steps where you walk down into the garden.
The timber (which has been well protected) you can see running along the 'side walls', along with the longer piece on top of the sleepers will form the 'top' edge of the flower bed, the intention being to fill with soil to about half way up the timber. I was going to secure some plastic membrane behind these running down to the bottom of the existing walls in order to protect the brick work from the moisture in the soil.
The question is, does this make sense to do, and if this is done should I also be looking to protect the brick work with a form of brick seal, or would the plastic membrane suffice ?
Also, as the soil for the beds will be sitting directly on the ground, I am making a broad assumption that I will not need to worry about doing anything additional drainage wise ?
Any thoughts/advice welcomed.. Thanks
I am creating a couple of raised flower beds, using existing walls as 3 sides, with oak slippers creating the front 'wall', as per pictures.
In the top picture, as we you look, the left hand brick work is an already existing raised planting bed, the back wall is a wall that fronts up the patio, and the right hand brickwork is the edge of steps where you walk down into the garden.
The timber (which has been well protected) you can see running along the 'side walls', along with the longer piece on top of the sleepers will form the 'top' edge of the flower bed, the intention being to fill with soil to about half way up the timber. I was going to secure some plastic membrane behind these running down to the bottom of the existing walls in order to protect the brick work from the moisture in the soil.
The question is, does this make sense to do, and if this is done should I also be looking to protect the brick work with a form of brick seal, or would the plastic membrane suffice ?
Also, as the soil for the beds will be sitting directly on the ground, I am making a broad assumption that I will not need to worry about doing anything additional drainage wise ?
Any thoughts/advice welcomed.. Thanks
0
Posts
You would seal normally as brick will draw the moisture from your soil and make the area very dry.
It makes sense to use plastic, as you will be using that to line the front. A bit of silicone will alliw you to fix it to the wall and the wood or use staples on the wood.
You are right you don't need anything in the base but it would benefit from digging over and in this weather a good watering before you fill the bed.
So, in which case then, will seal the bricks and then use the plastic on top.
I am intending to use Thompsons water seal, any other suggestions before I do it ?
Cheers
I would sink the bottom edge in a few inches and push the soil against it to hold it in place then use a bit of duck tape to hold it against the bricks while you fill with soil.
Once you are happy with the depth of soil then you can cut the plastic and seal along the top edge with waterproof silicon or a mastic. Screwfix or Toolstation will have it.
keep posting - we'll keep reporting you
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...