Retaining wall

[BelfastGrover]

Hi guys,

I have a retaining wall in my back garden that separates two sections of the patio.

The brick on the retaining wall is badly stained with fungal growth - see picture attached. What would be the best way to remove this?

I also think the wall is fairly ugly and would welcome any suggestions on improving the appearance.

Thanks!

 

[StephenStephen]

I would take up the line of half flags closest to it and plant things to grow up it, if it were mine

 

[Donkmeister]

The white stuff? From the photo that looks like efflorescence, which will be due to the water in the soil behind the retaining wall. You can get it cleaned up with a wire brush (I've used one in a drill but you need to be careful not to dig out all the mortar), some people use brick acid, but regardless of how you clean it off it will come back so long as there's water there.

Hence the approach of growing stuff up against it may work better in the long run.