Cement block planter repair


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Old 02-04-13, 12:17 PM
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Question Cement block planter repair

Had a 30' retangular planter constructed about 8 yrs ago. With the watering of the plants I have begun to get leakage through the block. Thought it might just need new coat of paint but when wire brushing, the 1/4" facing on the block began to come right off. It was like sand with no mortar. What is the correct material and method to repair these areas. Thanks
 
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Old 02-04-13, 12:20 PM
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I would remove the dirt and seal the inside of the container.
 
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Old 02-04-13, 12:42 PM
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Agreed, the problem was caused by moisture from the inside to the exterior. Seal the inside so water can only drain down or evaporate up and use a stucco type product on the exterior. Repainting will be required.


Painting masonry is normally not a great idea as it prevents the migration of moisture. A stain is more forgiving.
 
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Old 02-04-13, 01:49 PM
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We paint masonry all the time BUT it's only successful if the back side stays dry [like a house] Masonry planters are notorious for paint failure. The block should have been stucco'd and then coated with foundation tar on the inside. Even then it's best to have a container for the plants to be in. Any repair you make to the exterior will be short lived unless the moisture is prevented from migrating thru from the inside.
 
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Old 02-04-13, 01:52 PM
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You haven't said what the '1/4" facing' on the inside of the blocks consists of. If it's a mortar coating that's failing, all of the loose stuff needs to be removed before using any re-coating products. Otherwise, the new coating will simply pull away. A masonry supply retailer should carry suitable re-coating products.
 
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Old 02-04-13, 02:43 PM
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They didn't put anything on the inside (dirt side) of the planter. They just faced it on the outside with masonary. As for taking out the dirt there is probably 3 pickup loads of soil in it. At my age it would take me till Xmas to remove it. Just checking if there is anything that can be done on the outside to make it look respectable knowing it will need to be redone in the future.

Thanks for the reply
 
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Old 02-04-13, 03:54 PM
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Anything you do on the outside is going to be largely a waste of time and money, as 8 years' worth of water seeping through the block is what's causing the outside coating to crumble. Hire a few neighborhood teenagers for a few hours' worth of shoveling, and the planter will be close to ready for having some waterproofing done on the inside. Followed by removing all of the loose exterior coating material, and replacing it with something more durable.

As it sounds like you might not be up to the rigorous work required to make both interior and exterior sound again, you might consider just paying a mason to do all of the work. The only effort required on your part is to write the check when he's done. Doing so would have another advantage, as it means there's less $$$ left for your kids to fight over after you're gone.
 
 

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