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How to repair outdoor garden wall from root damage?

Hi, complete DIY newbie here.

Moved into this house with a beautiful fountain and garden beds, but the plants’ roots were too big for their boots. Had to remove the one on the left as it was breaking through the barrier. Luckily no structural damage to the fountain. Looking to repair and revitalise this side, then knowing what I’m doing, repeat on the right side before that issue gets worse.

Tips on what this is and how we might be able to patch and repair appreciated, the budget won’t cover a full replacement at this stage.

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @sando_35. It's amazing to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about repairing a garden bed.

The base material is most likely a fibre cement sheet such as blueboard or HardieTex. These sheets are commonly used outdoors and then coated with a cement-based render to achieve that solid rendered look. Identifying the sheet is important because it determines how you patch, fix, and recoat the area so it bonds properly and lasts.

If you can, have a look at the exposed edge where the damage is and measure the thickness of the sheet itself, not including the render layer on top. Blueboard and similar fibre cement products come in a few standard thicknesses, and knowing that measurement will give us a very good indication of exactly what product you’re working with. Even a rough measurement will help.

Once confirmed, repairs are usually done by cutting back any loose or damaged material to a clean, solid edge, fixing in a new piece of matching fibre cement sheet, then reapplying a suitable exterior render over the top. After curing, it can be sealed and painted so the repair blends in nicely with the existing wall. This approach is far more budget-friendly than replacing the entire feature and works well when the structure underneath is still sound, as you’ve noted with the fountain.

Measure that sheet thickness when you get a chance and let us know what you find. From there, we can give you specific product advice so you can confidently repair this side and then move on to the other one, knowing exactly what you’re doing.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

sando_35

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/61720#Comment_61720

Thanks very much for the response Mitchell.

I went into the local Bunnings this morning with a couple of pieces of the board with render on. The man indicated it’s likely Villaboard, 6mm thickness. Had a look at the product and that thickness looks correct.

He didn’t see to think there was any way we can cut that into smaller pieces for a patch job. I am interested in hearing your thoughts on whether or can be cut, or if not, if there is an alternate similar product that can be cut.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/93563#Comment_93563

Villaboard can certainly be cut, and it is done with a score-and-snap knife @sando_35. To be clear, though, you won't be cutting sections into the shape of this damage and inserting them; you'll be cutting the larger sheet down to fit the area between the frame as per the image below.

Mitchell

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