waterproofing in a food growing area (forum)

MJ starts with ...
Hi everyone

I am at a loss to find out about the safest way to waterproof a limestone wall, which will be a food-growing area (fruit and veg all together).

I have been quoted for "bitumizing" the inside of all of the walls. Does anyone know if this is safe for edibles, or what alternatives exist? I have googled, but just come up with commercial products which look like a bitumen product, or a concrete-like product. The company say they are safe, but I don't know anything about it.

Any ideas? There is such a lot of great knowledge on this forum, I thought I'd try here.

Thanks
MJ

Time: 6th May 2012 12:21pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
Original Post was last edited: 13th May 2012 10:18pm

About the Author 4
Perth
#UserID: 6823
Posts: 132
View All 4's Edible Fruit Trees

Jim says...
you could always use some thick black plastic to separate the soil from the wall. It is safe, cheap and will stop the limestone from discolouring, to a certain extent.

Time: 6th May 2012 4:23pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author electra
Fremantle
#UserID: 3242
Posts: 112
View All electra's Edible Fruit Trees

Julie says...
Don't know about the inside MJ, but years ago I waterproofed the outside of a brick wall with Bondcrete - probably diluted, but too long ago to remember.

I have also used it (1:4 Bondcrete to water) to seal a strawberry pot. It is very useful stuff.

Time: 6th May 2012 8:29pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
#UserID: 154
Posts: 1842
View All Julie's Edible Fruit Trees

peter, says...
how much was the quote for bitumizing.

what is the m2 area of the inside of
the walls.

i have water proofed many things
including the lower part of dragon fruit
poles with fibreglass.

Time: 6th May 2012 10:48pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author peter,
adelaide
#UserID: 6894
Posts: 3
View All peter,'s Edible Fruit Trees

MJ says...
Peter, the quote was just part of the overall quote for building the walls and paving, so hard to tell. It looks like a reasonable quote though, we think we'll go with this guy.

Julie, is Bondcrete the stuff you use on concrete floors (like garage floors)? I seem to remember that.

Jim, black plastic might be the go. Or, I could even use it next to the bitumen...

Will keep pondering

Time: 6th May 2012 11:03pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author 4
Perth
#UserID: 6823
Posts: 132
View All 4's Edible Fruit Trees

Brendan says...
Hi MJ, you can buy a bathroom water proofing 'kit' from hardware stores. In the bathroom, 3 coats have to be applied to actually make it waterproof.
Even bunnings sell it :-)

Time: 7th May 2012 7:44am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Brendan
Mackay, Q
#UserID: 1947
Posts: 1722
View All Brendan's Edible Fruit Trees

Julie says...
Mj, I think it is a PVA water-based glue. Don't know about the concrete floors though.

I made cheap signs for a garden by enlarging typed text on photocopier, gluing to board and coating with diluted Bondcrete. They lasted for years.

Time: 7th May 2012 7:54pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
#UserID: 154
Posts: 1842
View All Julie's Edible Fruit Trees

amanda says...
Just a thought - but you might need to make sure that what you use is going to be suitable around soil? Soil organisms and pH, fert's etc may eat into a treatment not designed for that purpose perhaps...?

Time: 8th May 2012 9:36am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. 400km north of Perth.
#UserID: 2309
Posts: 4607
View All amanda19's Edible Fruit Trees

MJ says...
Amanda, yes, that is my primary worry. I might be better off just using a concrete "render" on the inside and leaving it at that. Limestone will go grey in time, anyway.

Time: 8th May 2012 3:57pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author 4
Perth
#UserID: 6823
Posts: 132
View All 4's Edible Fruit Trees

Mike says...
MJ a good product at bunnies that is non toxic and used for waterproofing ponds for fish and waterplants is Pond Tite by Bondall.They have a range of sealing paints that are mild and effective on concrete render.

Time: 8th May 2012 4:22pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author
Cairns
#UserID: 5418
Posts: 1438
View All 's Edible Fruit Trees

Jim says...
Hi Miranda you might want to seal the outside of the limestone also as this will help it keep its colour. I assume you have already bought it but if not than there are some reasonably good looking reconstituted limestones that wouldn't have these issues.

Time: 8th May 2012 4:24pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author electra
Fremantle
#UserID: 3242
Posts: 112
View All electra's Edible Fruit Trees

MJ says...
Jim, we are planning to use reconstituted, which I gather have less of the grey mould, but my mum has some which has gone very grey.

Time: 8th May 2012 5:00pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author 4
Perth
#UserID: 6823
Posts: 132
View All 4's Edible Fruit Trees

Jim says...
I have had reconstituted in for about 3 years and it hasn't changed colour at all. I did put some plastic on the back to be sure but even then I was advised that it wasn't necessary. Obviously it will depend on the type, but one of the main selling points of reconstituted is that it will keep its colour, so I wouldn't be too concerned.

Time: 8th May 2012 9:19pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author electra
Fremantle
#UserID: 3242
Posts: 112
View All electra's Edible Fruit Trees

amanda says...
That's a point Jim..I have recon limestone too - with no sealing or backing at all - in the garden beds. No changes in colour etc (I don't have bore water tho)

My folks sealed their real limestone wall tho - with that limestone sealer stuff..

Time: 9th May 2012 9:36am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. 400km north of Perth.
#UserID: 2309
Posts: 4607
View All amanda19's Edible Fruit Trees

MJ says...
I will ask my mum, but I thought she said she had recon... Hmmm.

Amanda, I have a bore, but it is unusual in that there is no staining from it. The next street, where I'm currently renting, does have the rust stains. Ours must be at a different depth.

Time: 9th May 2012 11:24am

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report

About the Author 4
Perth
#UserID: 6823
Posts: 132
View All 4's Edible Fruit Trees

waterproofing says...
This one is the great post in which we get the information regarding the waterproofing of our roof and home.
http://www.rainkingwaterproofing.com

Time: 8th June 2012 4:13pm

Reply | LIKE this Answer(0) | LIKE this Question (0) | Report
About the Author waterproofing
 
#UserID: 7007
Posts: 2
View All waterproofing's Edible Fruit Trees