Laying timber sleepers as garden border - DPC?
Discussion
PhilboSE said:
They really aren't a lesser option. Properly installed you should get at least 30 years out of them. And they'll be clean.
Thanks. What I'm unclear about is what to do about the ground beneath and also the side holding the soil.
Underneath, sounds like laying on a sand and shingle mix might do the job, for some drainage.
The soil facing side, some say nothing, some say plastic sheeting, some even concrete. I really do not know.
Grateful for some advice
On the soil facing side you should use permeable landscape fabric (the heavy duty plastic kind), and then backfill with some gravel.
Damp proof membrane is not the best choice as moisture will get between it and the sleepers and create permanently damp patches which never dry out 90% of the year. DPM creates just the wrong situation - too well sealed (when backfilled) to allow it to dry out, but not sealed well enough to prevent any moisture ingress.
Gravel backfill vs straight soil allows for better drainage and also dry contact points to the wall compared to soil.
Landscape fabric prevents sediment and dirt seeping through sleepers and dirtying front, whilst being breathable so stuff can dry out better than DPM.
Alternatively (additionally?) you have the option to coat the backs of sleepers with black jack paint which should in theory make them water tight - leave the fronts unpainted so they can still breathe. Still back fill with gravel.
Most important is to ensure good drainage underneath and behind to prevent damp spots that never dry out.
Damp proof membrane is not the best choice as moisture will get between it and the sleepers and create permanently damp patches which never dry out 90% of the year. DPM creates just the wrong situation - too well sealed (when backfilled) to allow it to dry out, but not sealed well enough to prevent any moisture ingress.
Gravel backfill vs straight soil allows for better drainage and also dry contact points to the wall compared to soil.
Landscape fabric prevents sediment and dirt seeping through sleepers and dirtying front, whilst being breathable so stuff can dry out better than DPM.
Alternatively (additionally?) you have the option to coat the backs of sleepers with black jack paint which should in theory make them water tight - leave the fronts unpainted so they can still breathe. Still back fill with gravel.
Most important is to ensure good drainage underneath and behind to prevent damp spots that never dry out.
Prawo Jazdy said:
When you say “backfill with gravel”, do you mean gravel goes between the sleeper face and the membrane? Or is it sleeper/membrane/gravel? I’m trying to visualise how I get a vertical “layer” of gravel and I’m struggling a bit!
Good question, I wonder this as well. How does one go about backfilling with gravel? Though, Black Jack paint might be a very good idea
I did this last year with 40 sleepers. Best advice is to use these brackets on the rear for support, they really help keep things aligned and tight. Corner brackets also available.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-X-STRAIGHT-Timber-Rai...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-X-STRAIGHT-Timber-Rai...
TCruise said:
Prawo Jazdy said:
When you say “backfill with gravel”, do you mean gravel goes between the sleeper face and the membrane? Or is it sleeper/membrane/gravel? I’m trying to visualise how I get a vertical “layer” of gravel and I’m struggling a bit!
Good question, I wonder this as well. How does one go about backfilling with gravel? Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff