Sorry I should have said but as part of the pool revamp we'll replace the fence with glass as well

Wall is structurally fine maybe just needs some re-alignment in a few spots but definitely ok for the most part. Can you actually paint split faced blockwork? And as per above can you clad over it as that would be relatively cheap too.

Front of it is 1m high by 10m. Then slopes back with the land. This is the actual product I believe that was used:

http://www.ambertiles.com.au/products/retaining-walls/grandstone

Here are some more pics:

Hi Grimey,

Paint would indeed be the most simple and cost-effective way. With some evergreen screen planting at the base or even climbing plants trained on the wall, you should obtain a very nice result.

If you want to modernize the area even more you could replace all the white stones you have around the pool with clean grey tiles, or even just match the tiles to the already existing ones there. In my opinion you could really make this area shine!

I like the Jardenist's idea of climbing plants, even box out a garden and later plants against the wall- but I wouldn't paint it. I'm a fan of minimizing maintenance- not adding to it. The wall does not offend me at all. It isn't that old. I'd spend the $$ on getting rid of the pebble around the pool- that must drive you crazy with it ending up in the pool. Some new lights on the pillars, plants and glass fence- it will look fantastic.

If its structurally fine then I'd just landscape in front of it to hide it. Apart from the lights it isn't that bad.

Cladding it with the stone would be fine but you'd want to be 100% sure its structurally sound otherwise it could be wasted money in a couple years time.....

If it has some structural issues (re-alignment? doesn't sound promising) then I'd rebuild it with a core filled block wall or comparable alternative. Being a metre high (that is quite significant for a retaining wall..) it will need to be engineered. If I recall correctly any retaining wall over 600mm needs engineering be it a core filled wall or a wall like this even though the manufacturer says otherwise....... Hhhhmmmmm!

Considering you've got a pool behind it - I'd be getting a structural engineer in to have a look at it, especially if it's showing signs of moving. MB Design & Drafting is correct - if it's a retaining wall over 600mm I'd be getting an engineer to design it. You don't want your pool to fall down the hill!

In regards to the wall, i would remove the lights and landscape around it with hedges or bushes to disguise wall, and then paint the remaining fence in a dark grey, maybe monument?

A metre high core filled block wall will need a cantilever footing which an engineer can sign off on at a cost to you of probably 700 to 1 K.

This is a detail of what one looks like. Your talking serious money.

You'll have a myriad of choices for your finish if you did go ahead with it, such as rendering and then a painted finish or you could bag it or Rockcoat it or faux stone panels or sandstone ect ect. And your new glass fence would have it's posts set into the wall which would be a bonus.

Very expensive.

You could espalier the existing wall with roses or a variety of other plants that lend them selves to espaliering.

Very easy thing to do too. Ton's of choices depending on your locale

Ummmm 'realignment in a few spots' sounds a few alarm bells. But if you're not up for structural engineer report and possible rebuild just yet and the wall is driving you nuts then I'd do a quick freshen up for summer. Paint the wall a dark colour and landscape in front. Plants depend on where you live and which way the wall faces. But don't attach anything to the wall like espaliered plants they could stress the wall further. I would leave the new fencing and paving until I had the wall assessed. Hope your wall is ok and good luck!

I wouldn't be painting a retaining wall that hasn't been waterproofed from the other side to prevent water seeping through and causing paint to blister and peel (on already very rough surface). Deal with your structural issues before they become bigger problems- like cracked, leaking pool.

if it were me, i would also remove the round lamps, plant in front of wall and if money allows up-light the plants and wall...creating a lovely night feature and during the day the plants soften the wall (which i also agreed is not hugely offensive)

would definitely spend the money on the glass fence and paving around the pool. think you'll be surprised at how good it will look. good luck

Well I happen to like those walls.

Hi all,

Sorry for the slow replies and thanks for the input so far. From what I've read online a re-inforced besser block wall should be about $600 p/sqm including footings in Sydney (Hornsby shire council area). Given the wall is 1m x 10m it should be let's say $7k including design and DA or am I way off? I'd also need to dispose of the current wall + footings but I could probably give the blocks away.

The paved area is about 40sqm. Would it be safe to assume $200 p/sqm for concrete base, paver supply (travertine) and install (coping and surrounds)? So the wall and and paving would cost let's say $16k + fencing + cladding. This isn't too bad considering how much better it would look and the value it would add to the house. I like the flexibility the besser would give - render, cladding etc are all options.

I'm not sure how bad it is structurally it just has a couple of spots where I can see the blocks have pulled apart over time. Below are some pictures of the bad spots. Also looking at the Amber website it says the maximum courses is maximum non reinforced wall height of 972mm (6 courses). It looks like my wall is actually 7 courses un-reinforced. The wall and pool was built back in 2003.

Depends on your long term plans.

Frank, I think it comes down to what else you have to spend your money on. My joey, (lives your way) just had to renovate their pool, complete paint, new tiles, etc. and used a similar block to yours for their retaining walls and it really looks nice, clean and fresh. All professionally done of course which makes a difference. The issue is whether this was a DIY job not well done to start with, or there is an underlying problem that would need investigating and a new wall built. Seven courses suggests the possibility of a rough DIY job. A power wash of the wall could clean it up a lot too. They used travertine for the entire deck area of the pool but as her OCD would not cater to the maintenance of glass, they chose black metal fencing. I'm surprised at how much the black just seems to disappear into its surrounds and how smart it looks. This could be worth considering to save some expenses, or even just use the glass at the front. Do you really need a DA?

I think if you are going to go to all the expense and effort of renovating the pool area, I would definitely sort this out now rather than later and you can also starting any planting in front of the wall to soften it.

Again, depends on the long term plans, but if this is the forever home - or close to it - I'd seriously consider getting the job done right. Not sure of the regs up there - but I'm pretty confident any retaining wall over 1m requires a building permit or the NSW equivalent as it is a structural component and will require engineered footings. The other complicating factor will be the location of the pool and the requirement to take the additional loading into consideration when designing the retaining wall. At least once it's done properly it will stay done! As a guide, the Landscaping Victoria Schedule of Rates has large format paving (400, 500 & 600mm pavers) as $150-$180 to lay - not including the cost of the stone. Pool Coping is $100-$120 per lineal meter. These are guides only, and each contractor will have their own pricing structure. Retaining walls are a different kettle of fish, and will depend on the footings required.

If you plan on staying in that house long term then do it, but if you plan on selling in the next few years then i would just paint it maybe concrete between the bricks to hide gaps and landscape in front of it. I guess it also depends on how often you use the pool. If its never used then don't bother spend your money elsewhere.

Lots of good ideas being tossed about but if you're willing to spend a reasonable amount of money then I'd suggest calling a landscape designer (I'm not touting for business here as I don't work in the Hornsby area) to look at the whole back garden from the house to the back fence so the pool isn't being renovated in isolation, as it appears to have been built.

Good advice offered by 'Mel N' about painting an unsealed wall and you can't successfully glue the Artisan Stone onto the current block wall.

Glass fences are expensive as are retaining walls for which there are many options for layout and materials so that the wall and pool are seamlessly integrated into the house and landscape.

A designer will work with you to discuss all the possibilities and then put the ideas together so that they are clearly presented and implemented.

Good luck with your project.

Hi Arthur, that was actually the route I was originally going down but was quoted almost $4500 + $1500 for a survey just have the pool area and patio designed which seemed like a lot but that's not to say I wouldn't look elsewhere.

But I totally agree it's important to have a seamless flow between areas, which is probably what frustrates me the most about the wall as it is. The rest of the backyard is bush/boulder rock walls so it just stands out.

Shame you don't do work in the Hornsby Shire as your St Ives garden design job looks stunning! :)

Thanks for all the feedback I'll keep thinking about what's the best route to go!

Hi Frank - check out the AILDM website for landscape designers - www.aildm.com.au I know Arthur is a member (I'm a huge fan) as am I (again, not touting for work, as I'm based in sunny Melbourne!). You'll get a list professional landscape designers and architects and there is an entrance requirement to ensure that members have the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out the work. As with all things, depending on the persons experience and reputation, the price for a design may vary. It will also depend on the level of design required (how much detail). Just remember that getting a designer in can help to avoid costly mistakes, and a good garden can improve the value of your property considerably - especially an established one! A designer can also help you with working out the best way to stage the work so that it can fit within your budget. Good luck!

Thanks Frank and thanks MG.

I used to work all over the greater Sydney area but as I ease into retirement I've reduced the travelling.

I should have mentioned AILDM as well.

There are many designers in the association who work in the Hornsby Shire. Talk to a few of them, Frank, and you might find one who'll do the design for less. Some designers also do their own survey if the measure up is reasonably straight forward.