Brick Planter Drainage

Dabroa · May 22, 2020 11:50 am

Hi, I've built two brick planters in my front yard. One next to me letterbox, and one in front of the house. Both are waterproofed with 3 layers of bitumen paint on the inside of the brickwork and the footing.

I have left approx 200-220mm wide in the middle of each footing to allow for drainage. This runs for the entire length of the planters. I have used the sand laying around from my building site which consists of sand and other building rubble (broken bricks, rocks etc). This takes up about half of the planter.

The next portion is filled with landscape mix and then mulch at the top.

My question is, is the base building rubble/sand sufficient for drainage? I've noticed a few articles online talking about using a layer of rocks (blue metal etc) at the base of the planter to allow for drainage and given one of these planters is attached to my house, I wanted to make sure I have sufficient drainage.

chippy · May 22, 2020 11:54 am

Were are you located.
If you are in WA our sand soil drains no problems.
If you are in the eastern states on clay soil drainage will be an issue.

Dabroa · May 22, 2020 12:00 pm

Yep located in WA.

Site classification according to the site report is Class A relevant to Australian Standard 2870. It's described as "Most sand and rock sites with little or no ground movement from moisture changes".

Not sure if that means anything with regards to my query.

chippy · May 22, 2020 12:41 pm

You'll be fine to just fill with sand. No need for gravel.
Just make sure the waterproofing on the planter attached to the house is done well.

Dabroa · May 22, 2020 12:44 pm

Thanks mate. I've done an extra layer of waterproofing to be safe so should be all good.