How can I cover a brick retaining wall?

Question

I have a property with an old brick retaining wall that just does not look appealing.  It's still structurally fine, but it's ugly and I want to make it look better.  Can I cover it with some sort of stucco product or concrete type product?  I'd perfer something that I can trowel on with a tint so that there's no need to paint.  Any suggestions are appreciated.

Timothy W. · Answer

Diane,
Do you think I could avoid refacing the brick being a yearly thing by going with stucco instead of the vinyl patch?  Where I have the problem is right at ground level where the brick face meets earth.

Tim

Diane Menke · Answer

There are pre mixed, pre colored latex based "stuccos" on the market. They come in 5 gallon pails. You scoop it out and trowel it on. We did this to a CMU wall on my patio = looks great. Comes in a variety of sand sizes = grit. We went with a fairly smooth one.

Go to a masonry supply center with this description to buy it.

Diane Menke
MyersConstructsInc

Adam Anderson · Answer

Whatever you do make sure you take some time to prep it. I would recommend using a pressure washer to remove any loose material or dirt. If you use a cementious material, make sure that you wet down the wall before applying the product. You donâ€™t want any free water, but you do want the brick to be wet. Otherwise the brick will suck moisture out of your stucco decreasing its strength.

Timothy W. · Answer

I have the same problem with a partially exposed brick foundation.  I actually have to cover it yearly with what is known as "vinyl patch" to keep the yearly freeze from popping the face of more brick..  It's a concrete patch that you apply on.  I follow up by painting it.

Andy Thomson · Answer

There are concrete products made for troweling on like you suggest. If you're going to do it your self just look at the bags in the cement isle and read directions. Also you can get concrete coloring agents in the same isle (Lowes or home depot). I am not a mason but I do numerous types of home repairs for real estate closings and have used products like this for patching previous work and also for coating dry stacked piers. It is not complicated to do but it is work. Hope this helps.