DIY 15m x 5m Garden makeover.
Discussion
ChocolateFrog said:
Got a bit more done today.
Hired a wacker plate got the patio area stamped down, had to dig up some of the path hardcore to bring up the lower left corner as you're looking at the picture.
Made sure there was atleast some fall away from the house. This was typical
Laid out the first row. It's exactly 5 and half slabs wide so should be minimal wastage. My little angle grinder was working overtime to cut them, glad it's not granite.
Then the potentially most costly bit, if I screw it up. Managed to get the first 3 rows down. That's 400kg and 75kg of cement, just for half of it.
Happy enough so far. There's probably a 5mm variance at some of the joints. I can see why people dot and dab or atleast use a sand screed as its definitely more difficult to get everything level with a full bed of mortar, more so I think because it's a natural material.
Shouldn't move when its finished though.
Ahh, the memories!!Hired a wacker plate got the patio area stamped down, had to dig up some of the path hardcore to bring up the lower left corner as you're looking at the picture.
Made sure there was atleast some fall away from the house. This was typical
Laid out the first row. It's exactly 5 and half slabs wide so should be minimal wastage. My little angle grinder was working overtime to cut them, glad it's not granite.
Then the potentially most costly bit, if I screw it up. Managed to get the first 3 rows down. That's 400kg and 75kg of cement, just for half of it.
Happy enough so far. There's probably a 5mm variance at some of the joints. I can see why people dot and dab or atleast use a sand screed as its definitely more difficult to get everything level with a full bed of mortar, more so I think because it's a natural material.
Shouldn't move when its finished though.
Edited by ChocolateFrog on Tuesday 20th August 18:13
My first job on leaving college was as a Landscape gardener and after I changed industries, I used those skills to do exact what you are with the patios, walls and fences in my first three houses.
A long but productive day today.
Started by tackling the inspection chamber. It had been installed off vertical and was too high. It is also 320mm diameter, which I've learned isn't a standard size, most seem to be 300mm. That meant the recessed drain cover was a chunk more expensive.
A fair bit off faffing later, including taking an angle grinder to the plastic riser I got it level. Cut the pavers around it, kind of looks like the ones I've seen on other people's patios so happy with it.
The rest of the patio went down without a hitch, apart from running out of sand and cement, again, and my 115mm £4.99 diamond blade is already struggling.
That's it until atleast the weekend. I have a renewed appreciation for landscape gardeners.
Started by tackling the inspection chamber. It had been installed off vertical and was too high. It is also 320mm diameter, which I've learned isn't a standard size, most seem to be 300mm. That meant the recessed drain cover was a chunk more expensive.
A fair bit off faffing later, including taking an angle grinder to the plastic riser I got it level. Cut the pavers around it, kind of looks like the ones I've seen on other people's patios so happy with it.
The rest of the patio went down without a hitch, apart from running out of sand and cement, again, and my 115mm £4.99 diamond blade is already struggling.
That's it until atleast the weekend. I have a renewed appreciation for landscape gardeners.
stevemcs said:
Looks good, i'm getting closer to completing ours although I started April last year.
Skips our way are around £200, I'm on number 3 and i recon i've taken 6 tonne to the tip in the back of the mondeo.
Sounds like a big job. I used to have a V70 that once took a whole brick outbuilding to the tip, got to love an old estate. Skips our way are around £200, I'm on number 3 and i recon i've taken 6 tonne to the tip in the back of the mondeo.
ChocolateFrog said:
Sounds like a big job. I used to have a V70 that once took a whole brick outbuilding to the tip, got to love an old estate.
Its probably smaller than yours, but i’ve dug another pond and levelled it off a little ...
I suddenly decided I would chang the patio I laid some 20 years ago.
Another ton of hardcore (the whiter stuff) doesn't go very far. Might get away with that level now though.
After that was raked relatively level I moved onto sticking a wall here
First couple of mixed were too dry and maybe too sandy, buttering the blocks and half the time it just fell off, got the hang of it after almost giving up because of the heat.
Not pretty but it is atleast level.
Gave up at that point to watch the football.
Not sure if it will be sturdy enough with the slabs on top without any other cross bracing internally.
After that was raked relatively level I moved onto sticking a wall here
First couple of mixed were too dry and maybe too sandy, buttering the blocks and half the time it just fell off, got the hang of it after almost giving up because of the heat.
Not pretty but it is atleast level.
Gave up at that point to watch the football.
Not sure if it will be sturdy enough with the slabs on top without any other cross bracing internally.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff