Hey everyone, I live in England and I'm curious about something I've found while working on my garden wall. After I removed some ivy, I noticed a rubber-like black material at the bottom of the wall. It's not in contact with the ground, and I'm wondering what it is and why it was installed. Should I be concerned that it's deteriorating? Also, I'm considering paving this narrow space up to the wall but leaving some gaps for water drainage. Is that a good idea? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
That black material could be some sort of insulation or a protective barrier. It’s not uncommon to find similar materials used in wall construction to keep moisture away from the wall structure. Since it’s not touching the ground, it might not be a huge issue, but if it looks compromised, a quick check by a professional could save you trouble later on. As for paving, leaving gaps for drainage sounds like a smart move! Just make sure whatever you use allows water to flow through properly.
I’d say don’t worry too much! This kind of material is often used to help with water management. Just be sure to use permeable paving to allow for drainage if you decide to go that route. If you’re getting a lot of water pooling, consider a slight slope away from the wall too. That can help alleviate any future drainage issues!
Yeah, definitely check it out! These things can sometimes hide larger issues. Just keep an eye on it and make sure you're not trapping moisture against your wall.