Hi Folks - I have a multi-tiered retaining brick retaining wall. I've noticed that I'm starting to get significant sand from the back fill leaking from behind the wall. I haven't fully investigated yet, but I suspect the entire amount of back fill between the foundation of the house and the wall is all sand. I obviously can't allow this situation to continue, so I'm trying to see what my options are to fix the problem. The top tier is probably 3 1/2 to 4 foot tall, the 2nd tier (closets to driveway ground level) is maybe 18 inches tall. The sand is coming from the taller tier. My initial thought was to pull the landscaping rock out of the area affected and lay down landscaping fabric and possible pinch it between the top course and the one below it. But then I realized the water now has now where to go. If I dig down a course or two, put in landscaping fabric and a piece of drain tile along the wall, would that work? Given the nature of the house, I'm pretty sure the wall was just slapped together and doesn't have the proper back fill and tile for drainage, and there is a LOT of wall to fix. Do I have any other options short of tearing it down and starting over? Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Joe

hi gang. new place has outdoor fireplace with adjacent grill station and sink area. although the workmanship is not terrific, the "kitchen" is there and so I want to make the best of it. couple photos attached. anyway, the countertop area (which is also the hearth of the fireplace) is a bluestone. at least that is what I have been told. #1... I want to clean it really good, and use a good masonry caulk/sealer at edges, corners since the mortar is kind of cracking out in spots. what should I clean it with? just like a miracle green or do I need a masonry cleaner (I have some SureKlean 600, but is that too strong?) #2 the surface has some gouges and swirls and just some oddities in the texture. while that can often be what is so unique and cool about natural stone, here it just kind of looks odd. plus there are some almost rust like stains on the hearth. do you think I should buff, sand, or grind all the surfaces slightly? would that help? if so, just sandpaper and elbow grease? steel wool? or what? is there some tool or attachment I could use? (Dremel?) 3# lastly, I want to seal the counters. if the stone itself were nicer or a better color, I maybe wouldn't bother because I would want it to feel real natural. as is, it just has a real faded color and feels dirty. I have used natural stone color enhancer/sealers with good effect inside. (photo of the product attached). it kind of makes the color richer, adds a very slight sheen and some protection. but not sure if that would just be totally undone in a month or so by rain and sun? any thoughts? thanks all.