Burying stuff in base for gravel patio
Discussion
Now that her extension is finished and the builders have finished destroying her garden, I’m going to build a patio for my OH at her place. It slopes in two directions, looking from the house it slopes down a bit left to right and a lot front to back. The step down from the decking is uncomfortably large at the right hand side.
I’m not laying paving, been there, done that, got half way through and regretted it. Nope. Plan was to terrace it with sleepers, fill with MOT type 1 to level, whack it down, put some decorative slate on top, fire up the BBQ.
I have laid out the sleepers as I want it and measured the slope - obviously will have to dig into the slope to get the sleepers level-ish. It won’t be level but it will be a lot more level than it is. Even so, I clearly haven’t bought enough aggregate.
The plank is level - the fall from back to front is more than 2 sleepers, but I don’t want to do more so will live with the slope.
It occurs to me that I am probably never going to use these for anything and will probably one day have to cart the bloody things to the tip.
So. Given that it’s only going to get slate on the top and not paving, is there any reason I can’t just use those slabs to level it, whack the type 1 on top and call it done? Do I really need to smash them up?
I’m not laying paving, been there, done that, got half way through and regretted it. Nope. Plan was to terrace it with sleepers, fill with MOT type 1 to level, whack it down, put some decorative slate on top, fire up the BBQ.
I have laid out the sleepers as I want it and measured the slope - obviously will have to dig into the slope to get the sleepers level-ish. It won’t be level but it will be a lot more level than it is. Even so, I clearly haven’t bought enough aggregate.
The plank is level - the fall from back to front is more than 2 sleepers, but I don’t want to do more so will live with the slope.
It occurs to me that I am probably never going to use these for anything and will probably one day have to cart the bloody things to the tip.
So. Given that it’s only going to get slate on the top and not paving, is there any reason I can’t just use those slabs to level it, whack the type 1 on top and call it done? Do I really need to smash them up?
Edited by otolith on Sunday 13th June 02:07
One of my weekend projects for this weekend is to fill in the area where my daughters swing was, and replace 3 fence post. This has resulted in me having 9 lumps of concrete to get rid off. I have dug a hole in the swing area to bury the concrete as like you I haven't bought enough topsoil to fill the area. In my case I know the areas where the concrrete is buried will settle slightly different as the soil moves in to the gaps around the concrete lumps. I'll be able to just fill any depressions with more soil in due course.
Yes its not right to put those slabs on the grass under the MOT but thats what I would do!
Yes its not right to put those slabs on the grass under the MOT but thats what I would do!
Do it properly & level it off or don't do it at all: to leave that wall & area sloped like that will look really poor. Dig out & lower the sleeper near the decking so it give a step the same size as the others & then add one more sleeper at the far end & part way along one side. If you are using the slabs break them up into chunks so the barbecue area can drain.
Mr Pointy said:
Do it properly & level it off or don't do it at all:
Yeah, tend to agree with that. It's not much more effort to level it, but the difference in the finished product will be huge, otherwise you'll always be sat on a wonky chair with an unlevel table. Your cherry tomatoes and sausages will roll off the plate. Your scotch eggs will be constantly making a break for freedom (or into the dog's mouth anyway). People will knock over wine glasses as they'll be unsteady. For the sake of an extra sleeper and maybe buying a spirit level, why would you not level it?!
I don’t think the residual slope will be obvious or uncomfortable, but will perhaps see how it looks once I’ve dug the trench to level the sleepers. The pain is that the sleepers are a bugger to get hold of at the moment.
Slate is ok for sitting chairs on as long as it isn’t too deep - reason for slate rather than gravel is that things sink into it less with a thin covering.
Slate is ok for sitting chairs on as long as it isn’t too deep - reason for slate rather than gravel is that things sink into it less with a thin covering.
The amount of incline you are talking about will be noticeable. You’ll feel it both walking in it and sitting at it.
Top dressing material is one of personal preference but I would never do loose slate over that area. Migrates too much and too uneven.
If you go ahead as planned then you’ll regret it and either never use the space as intended, or you’ll have to pull it all up again and do the proper job that needs doing.
If you really don’t want to put the effort into it then come up with another plan.
Top dressing material is one of personal preference but I would never do loose slate over that area. Migrates too much and too uneven.
If you go ahead as planned then you’ll regret it and either never use the space as intended, or you’ll have to pull it all up again and do the proper job that needs doing.
If you really don’t want to put the effort into it then come up with another plan.
otolith said:
Needs everything removing and the base for the wood made flat and everything aligning, but I think the remaining level of slope will be ok.
For the extra effort to actually level it up you'll need to dig down, what, another 10cm or so and buy another sleeper? You've done 90% of the work but are going to do a half arsed job for the extra 10% effort. Each time you're sat on a chair which isn't level you'll curse former you!
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