coping for garden wall

[mbernardh]

Hi
Just about finished building a garden wall re-using original bricks (last owners left it collapsed). Could I just finish it with a layer of mortar (pointed to look reasonably neat)?

I know I should finish the top course ideally with coping of some sort but I've run out of bricks (many were blown/broken beyond use) so not enough to do a course of half bricks on edge or some-such. Also I don't have a car and prefer to use re-cycled stuff where possible so buying 4/5 metres worth of coping stones isn't favourite.

I have soft sand and cement to spare - is a slightly stronger mix of mortar (say 1:3) going to give me a decent bit of weatherproofing. Got to be better than leaving stretchers exposed surely. Got lots of pebbles aswell so could bed those in the stronger mix?

Grateful for any views, thanks.

 

[breezer]

no idea regarding the mix, but the pebbles if pressed in afterwards would make it decorative

 

[noseall]

have you got any old slates to hand, particularly if they are a little wider than the wall?

these slates bedded on to the wall will at least afford you a 'drip' and help to preserve the wall.

 

[breezer]

would slate not be a "bad thing" if they have sharp edges, and being slate they are thin, which means if some one shoud fall the wrong way............

 

[mbernardh]

Like the idea of slates but sadly none to hand.

Thinking of lifting some paving slabs but I think these would be a devil to split/break in two or three to get the right dimensions for coping.

What about the mix for a mortar finish though? - any advice welcome.

Thanks

 

[mbernardh]

for avoidance of doubt, when I say "lifting some paving slabs" I mean taking up some in my garden not pinching some from the street outside...!

 

[breezer]

note for next time

guess waht it does

 

[noseall]

What about the mix for a mortar finish though? - any advice welcome.

Thanks

as strongish mix of 3 or 4:1 will do. sharp sand will weather better.


with regards the 'slates', i actually meant plain roofing tiles as they span a 9" wall and allow an inch or so drip to each side. bedded lengthways they are ideal for a 4" wall too.

 

[Thermo]

use a nice strong sharp sand mortar mix. lay the pug along the top of the wall and as it dries off round it off. Its how the victorians used to do it. can look quite nice.

 

[mbernardh]

Noted; thanks a lot for all the advice.

I had an inkling sharp sand was better than using up the soft sand I've got left. Oh well.

cheers

 

[noseall]

I had an inkling sharp sand was better than using up the soft sand I've got left. Oh well.

a mix of the two would be a good compromise.

 

[NS215]

buy some red or blue brick to finish it off as these will look smart

 

[mbernardh]

buy some red or blue brick to finish it off as these will look smart

I feel a Gregory House MD style response coming but I'll be good.

I'm afraid that last suggestion ignores the original scenario and question I posed but thanks to posts overall I now have a good idea of how to proceed. Thanks to all.