Landscaping Question

[MJBaldwin]

All,

I have a house that I bought about 4 years ago and I have this old fireplace/oven in my backyard. I like the look of it because it was built a while ago and might even be around the original age of the house (1928). The problem is the top is cracking and the side has a huge bulge due to tree roof. I know its not the best condition but I am wondering what the best idea would be to make it look "rejuvenate" again. I’m thinking concrete on top of the old retaining wall?

Any ideas or opinions would be greatly appreciated....

Thanks

[Jameson]

First off, that looks way cool and was a lot of work for whoever built it.

But if one root is already damaging it, that is likely to continue to happen.

Tuck point in some concrete in the cracks and give it a good cleaning.

IMO putting on a concrete cap isn't fixing it right (removing the roots and trees would be) so just bandaid it up with as little as work as possible.

I'm not a great stone maintenance mind, so take it for what it is worth.

[expl]

Cool looking landscape and in fairly good shape.The whole problem is the tree roots.Unless you completely remove them from the area you will continue to run into the same problems.Like was said above you can patch it up.A competent landscape design compamy could remove the root and rebuild your landscape to allmost the exact way it is,possibly even with the same materials that are standing now depending on the construction of the materials,or could rebuild with similar materials keeping the age and look intact for the most part.Good luck with whatever route you should take.

[CAMAN]

Get rid of all the trees on the right side of the first picture. Grind the roots down as deep and close as possible. Once a majority of the roots are gone depending on the footing you may actually be able to move that entire bench back to its original position or close. As it looks like everything around it is still solid. Clean and tuck point everything and you should be good.

Very cool setup there. Also depending on sun location in the afternoon and evening you may want to place a tree in the middle of the garden nearest the camera.

[MJBaldwin]

Thanks guys, I wasnt faund of it when I moved in but have grown to liking the look of it now. I am thinking I need to do something about that tree and then I might be able to Push it back to its orignal location. Is there a way I can put a skim coat of concrete on top??

[CAMAN]

I don't know if I'd skim coat the top, may just chip off after a few years. I'd probably lay some type of large flat rocks like a flagstone or similar. From the picture it looks like the top is a veneer, correct? I might try and chip those off carefully, if it comes off cleanly and it looks like the rest of the rocks stay in place then do it all, if not I'd leave it, it just might not look right with a double layer. Then lay a thick bed of mortar (be sure to back butter the stone) and install the top stone, a 1-2 inch overhang might look nice and probably protect the old masonry by keeping excess moisture from running down the face.

[delcecchi]

BTW what is inside those bench/walls? Is it all rocks? Just wondering is all.

[Tom7227]

As I look at it I wonder about how old it is. The stones all seem to be too flat to have been something built out of river rock 80 years ago. I wonder if you tap it with a hammer does is sound solid? I wouldn't be all that surprised if it wasn't some manufactured stone facing a wooden frame. It still is nice but if I'm correct I think you would have a mess if you chose to take it apart and try and reuse the material.

[MJBaldwin]

CAMAN - The top of the walls are more like concrete on there. Although I like your idea of ripping it off and placing some sort of stone on top might be easier and look better than what is there. Thanks for the suggestions.

delcecchi - The rocks are granite according to the concrete guy I had out the other day that looked at my front step. (both build out of the same thing)

Tom7227 - This is a solid unit no wood in the middle on the right side if you can see where the crack from the tree is that goes about half way through. The front of the rock is flat then the rest is into the wall. Like i stated I am not sure how old it is according to my neighbor (older lady that knows everything in a smaller town) she said the couple that built the house built this unit as well. Since its been around for so long I feel like I jsut need to make it look a little better and keep it!

[CFRay]

The top of the fireplace part is a portland cement sand mix. I cannot really tell from your photos if the low wall part has a concrete or flat stone piece top. Cracks eventually form and let water in, freeze & thaw cycles then make the top loose.

I can't give any advice on the tree root troubles other than the other guys have given you already.

That is some talented mason work you have there. That guy knew what he was doing. It is split granite cobbles with the flat face exposed. It's real stone all the way through.

You could replace that top with a new portland cement sand mix. Chip off the old stuff that will come off, clean the top surface, and apply a new one. Mix the concrete, 3 units sand to one unit portland, the less water the better. It will set on the top without running down the sides if you mix it thick(dry) enough. Shape with your gloved hands and a trowel. Maybe give it more slope to shed water better. Brush it after it sets a couple hours. there are some clear sealers available you could apply after a month.

Flat real stone would also be an option. I'd stay away from the manufactured stone caps that are out there, they don't hold up long in our climate.