I can see the need not to allow water to become trapped behind the slates, but what it there was a drainage gap at the base of the cladding, created by leaving say an inch between the bottom edge of the lowest slate and the ground? Then rainwater would be free to run right through and perhaps there would be no necessity for any capping.
I think that would be asking for trouble. Rainwater doesn't always go where you think it should, and it only needs to sit in a few nooks and crannies to do the damage. I would broaden the definition of "trapped" to include any moisture sitting in a space with insufficient airflow or sunshine. Also, how will you finish the top if not with capping of some kind? I think design wise you should cover the slate edge with something?
Of course, anybody should have realised you were giving the ratios of ox blood, horsehair and cow dung :-)
pinkgrip foam.
/Of course, anybody should have realised you were giving the ratios of ox blood, horsehair and cow dung :-) /q
Or armchair filling, pubes & bullsh.....:-)
Jim K
Good point, thanks.
I'm undecided on that. The wall is retaining a raised bed with planting: I've wondered about bringing the slate cladding say an inch above the top of the blockwork and adding soil up to that level to create the effect that the whole wall is just the thickness of the slate.
I think you can grow plants like sedum in 3-4 inches of soil to create a kind of green roof.
That would look very effective; thanks for the thought.
BTDT. You need irrigation or 4" dries out to a crisp in summer.
NT
Pardon?
I have a border along the bottom of a fence with soil no more than four inches deep (and that at the maximum) planted with various ground cover plants. No irrigation, no watering, but the plants have survived and thrived and spread over the years.
Hence the use of sedum. Forms a dense mat that appears to inhibit evaporation, and presumably collects moisture from condensation. Bloke round the corner has it on the roof of his mini shed in which he keeps the bins. I think it might be even less than 4", and it faces south. That said, the green "wall" at the O2 Arena looked a bloody mess last time I was there, mainly because the soil had dried out.
Yes, I wasnt using sedum
NT
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.