A Resurfaced Wall

Landscape designer Scott Soden takes cues from the new patio and uses the same materials--flagstone and pebbles-- for resurfacing the walls. He also adds flowers and greenery around the wall to complement the patio and walls.

Soden estimates that a professional would charge at least $2,500 for the design, labor and materials for resurfacing the wall, but do-it-yourselfers can dramatically cut that cost to only $350 for the materials (not including plants). The project is fairly easy, but because of having to work with vertical surfaces, Soden gives it a 3 on a scale of 1 (easy) to 5 (difficult). There are waiting times between some of the steps, so it will take about two weekends to complete.

Step One: Cleaning the Wall

Before beginning any resurfacing project, pressure wash the area to remove any dirt and debris. Power washers are available to rent for about $85 per day.

Step Two: Shaping the Flagstone

To match the new patio, Soden chose Arizona flagstone in peach and rose hues, for about $260 per ton, which covers about 120 square feet. This type of flagstone is fairly uniform, which is good for placing against a wall, and it's easy to cut. However, you can use a variety of materials to resurface a wall, such as tile, stucco and slate.

With the help of a friend, carry large slabs of flagstone to the wall. Loosely lay them against the wall, leaving small gaps in between them. Set them where they seem to fit best visually. As you work, mark with chalk the edges where you want to cut the stones. Use a hand grinder to score the stones, and then knock off the excess pieces with a rock hammer. Also use the hammer to chisel the broken edges for a rough-hewn, natural look.

Step Three: Gluing the Flagstone

The trickiest part of the project is adhering the flagstone to the wall vertically. Soden stresses that you need a clean, dry surface. Use a masonry epoxy (about $20 for a dual tube, which mixes as it squeezes out) and a caulking gun (about $27) to apply it.

Set some 1x8 planks under the flagstone to elevate them off the ground. Use a wire brush to clean any dust and debris off the stones so that they stick better to the wall. Working in sections, apply the masonry epoxy with the caulking gun. Put some on the back of the stones and on the wall, but you don't need much because it's a very strong adhesive.

To attach the smaller stones, drive in concrete nails to suspend the stones above the larger slabs. Fill in behind them with epoxy and prop braces against them while they dry.

Step Four: Mortaring the Wall

A standard masonry mix mortar (about $5 per bag) is mixed with a little lime ($5 per 100-pound bag). The lime makes the mortar more sticky and gooey, which is needed for adhering to a vertical surface.

Blend the mortar using a small concrete mixer, which you can rent for about $30 per day. Wear a mask as you work because the mixer generates a lot of dust. To create a warm taupe color, mix in a powdered tint (about $6 per bag). Add a couple of scoops of lime to give the mortar that gummy consistency.

For added interest, Soden incorporates some La Paz pebbles to tie in with the existing patio design (figure G). La Paz pebbles cost about $10 for a 30-pound bag. Simply push them into the mortar. Use a sponge to cover them with mortar and let them set for five minutes.

Clean the mortar haze off the pebbles with a sponge and a little phosphoric acid. Be sure to wear rubber gloves because this solution is corrosive to skin. Also, try not to get any acid on the rest of the wall because it will turn the mortar white. Then apply a water-based sealer over the surface of the mortar to bring out the color of the mortar and give the wall an attractive finish.

Step Five: Placing the Tiles

Because the house has a terra-cotta roof, Soden chose the same tiles to cap the walls. These tiles cost about $2 to $3 each at home-supply stores. The important thing is to cap a wall with something--flagstone, brick, tiles, etc.--to give it a finished look.

Planting a Garden Wall

To soften the wall, Soden chose plants of jewel-tone colors, including flowering plants that cascade over the walls and Mediterranean plants to fill in some empty areason the hillside behind the walls. He also adds a few containers on the patio to bring some lively color closer to the house. His choices include:

• Bougainvillea buttiana 'La Jolla', Zzones 10-11
  
• Rosa 'Flower Carpet', Zones 5-9
  
• Petunia (Petunia hybrida), Zones 9-10

The large flagstone slabs form an artistic pattern (figure J), while the pebble accents add movement and interest. The terra-cotta cap (figure K) mirrors the roof of the house and helps draw attention up the walls. Finally, a vibrant assortment of plants lends a Mediterranean feel to the area.