Rounded Pond Walls

[willtom]

A question for all those brickies out there!

I want to round the 2 ends of my pond, but not entirely sure of the best way and best blocks. The idea is to have the entire pond rendered as an end result (no brick facing), therefore the structure will have to be pretty strong I guess!

Has anyone got any advice or better still, some photos of the best method?

Many thanks in advance!

Will

[Bob Hart]

Hi Will,

I would guess that the easiest way to get a nice round corner is to use bricks not blocks for the corners. You'll have to make sure they are tied in to any blockwork for the main part of the walls though.

[Thorny]

Hi Will, It all depends on the sharpness of the curve. If its a nice big sweeping curve You will get away with full blocks laid flat. If its a little tighter turn then You will have to snap all the blocks and lay them as two 100 mm skins side by side. If its a real tight turn then You would have to go with bricks layed as headers giving You a 9 inch wall. As most on Here know I have built plenty of ponds some with real tight turns as You can see from the picture I didnt have a straight stretch at all on this pond.
I think sometimes it less hastle to just hire the services of a brickie for a day or two. That way You could even have nice pretty face work

[vippymini]

thorny, could you not lay them layed flat but vertical to get a tight curve?

[Thorny]

Yes You can lay the vertical but You will still be using blocks that are 440mm long, If You are trying to get round a really tight turn when You lay the course over the top they will over hang and hatch and grin makeing the render a little more of a task.
When I built Glen & Annettes pond, on some of the curves I Built that in a 100mm skin and layed the blocks completely up the other way. 225mm bed joints and 440mm purp joints. This is a little trickier task. I would not advise to lay more that 3 course high 1350mm as it will start to move and float about.
Justin

[willtom]

Thanks for your reply's Justin - I was hoping you come to the rescue as I have seen before so many times on this forum!!

In terms of the concrete blocks, are they high density ones? And what are the exact measurements - 440mm x ? x ?.

Will

[Thorny]

No probs High dens concrete blocks, 100mm x 215mm x 440mm.
Justin

[willtom]

That's great. Thanks Justin.

Not the best time of year to be doing this, but you've got to start somewhere! As soon as I have something to show, I will post some pics!

Will

[Gazza]

Hi Will,

I like a shape to a pond and when building mine i wanted a front curved wall as the pond is in the corner and one thing i didn't want was the curve being to tight which meant it would look odd shaped or with edges sticking out to far as then they can look a bit like a 50p (if you know what i mean) So in the ends i had a professional build it for me.,..boy do i wish i knew Justin then still always the next time

[willtom]

Yeah, that's not a bad idea Gazza, and I have just noticed that 'Thorny' is not a million miles away from me...!!

Not only is there the expertise there, but there is a huge timing element involved!

[Gazza]

Hi Will,

Yes if you can Justin is your man he has done some cracking ponds ans can lay some blocks on the double quick

Here a few shots of my pond in construction which may give you some idea

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... 3_1310.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... 3_1301.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.koipix.com/gallery/albums/userpi ... 3_1337.jpg[/img]

[willtom]

Cheers Gazza! Are the bottom 2 courses 9" hollows?

Will

[Gazza]

Hi Will,

No the two bottom courses are the big concrete hollows which where back filled and set into the base....my dad used to call it the nuclear bunker when it was being built

[Thorny]

Thanks for the kind words Gazza, Next time! You on the move? You know if I do it for You it will have a window, No argueing

Will, fill free to give Me a shout even if its to run a few ideas through. Just as a guide I normally do all the block , brickwork and render on a 8,000 gallon pond for example in under a week
So sometimes it pays ten fold to hire a profesional.Even if its to only do part of the build.
Good luck
Justin

[Gazza]

Hi Justin,

Not on the move yet but if and when we do you will be getting the call young man trust me......WINDOW