Garden brickwork in Tewkesbury, where the meeting of two rivers, low-lying ground and older streets near the abbey all influence how walls should be built and repaired.
Tewkesbury sits where the Severn and the Avon meet, and anyone who lives here knows how much water matters. Low-lying areas near the rivers can be wet for much of the winter, and the older streets around the abbey hold walls that have coped with a lot of weather over many years.
SPR Trees and Landscapes builds and repairs garden brickwork in Tewkesbury and the surrounding area. We do boundary walls, retaining walls, steps and raised beds, along with repointing and repairs. Because water is so often the issue here, we spend time on drainage and ground conditions before suggesting a design.
A wall in a flood-prone garden should be designed with water in mind. That can mean engineering bricks, a deeper footing, a proper damp proof course and openings that let water pass through rather than building up pressure. It will not make a wall waterproof, and we would never claim that. We would rather explain the trade-offs: a solid wall gives privacy, but a more open design may cope better when water rises.
Even gentle slopes can need holding back, and soils here are heavy when wet. A brick retaining wall should have gravel behind it and weep holes through it, so water leaves rather than pushes. Raised brick planters are ideal for low gardens, keeping roots clear of soggy soil. Garden steps need a well-drained base and a non-slip surface, as damp conditions turn smooth treads treacherous. We check levels carefully, particularly where a path leads to the house.
The town's older streets include brick and stone garden walls of mixed age. After wet winters, many show failed mortar, loose bricks and green growth. Repointing is the usual remedy, done with a mortar chosen for the material underneath. Where a stretch has collapsed or lost its footing, garden wall rebuilding is safer than patching. We look for causes, such as blocked drains, soil banked against the wall or missing coping, so the repair lasts.
Our area takes in Tewkesbury and nearby places such as Upton upon Severn, Bishop's Cleeve, Cheltenham and Gloucester. After heavy rain, some gardens near the rivers can be too wet for deliveries or digging, and we will be honest if work has to wait. Older central streets are tight, so we plan access in advance. A visit allows us to check ground, drainage and the existing wall, and a written quote follows.
We also take on garden brickwork work in nearby Upton upon Severn, Bishop's Cleeve, Cheltenham, Gloucester.
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“Jim and Dan did a brilliant job on my 90ft conifer. Its a lot safer now and I have more light in the garden...”
“The boys did an excellent job... pruned my trees back and remove one tree that had split...”
“The guys were prompt & proffesional removed an old ash for me thanks guys”
Engineering brick is dense and absorbs little water, so it is a sensible choice for walls and planters in wet places. It looks different from facing brick, and we can show you how the two compare.
They are small gaps left in a retaining wall that let water out from the soil behind. Without them, water pressure builds up and can push the wall over. They are a simple, important part of a sound design.
Often, if the footing is intact. After the wall dries we check for movement, washed-out mortar and cracked bricks. Repointing and repairs may be enough, though badly shifted sections may need rebuilding.
SPR Trees & Landscapes, 6 Rose Avenue, Worcester, WR4 9PY
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