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We've been trying to get this redone for over a couple of years or so and not had much luck in getting that far. Elements such as finalising a design that was realistic to budget etc and wary of being bodged again we took our time.
People aren't even replying to emails, phone calls etc so just don't seem interested in an initial discussion or a quick survey and assess of the area.
Covid hasn't helped and we've had no real success in getting a landscaper involved as despite senidng photo's dimensions and a brief spec (as assisted by Tony's advice and my cousin who is a landscape architect) to make it reasonable.
There's a local firm doing a lot of driveways and patio's on our estate at the moment and the standard of work seems pretty good. My litmus test was to see if he spotted what was wrong with our current back garden and to be fair he passed the 'Tony Test' as we called it. Called out the lack of drainage on patio, fall to the house, crossed joints and sodden garden.
Asked him his methods and he said about digging down deep enough to install the sub base (100mm min Type1, 25mm full mortar bed with coarse sand (NOT Building Sand) etc) and proper soakaway in lawn area.
They are doing a lot of work around here so I guess he wants to keep a good reputation and his team busy.
They're a bunch of lads but been round here for years - just a case of trust on both sides to do the job. He's happy to not be paid until we're fully happy and it's bank transfer or cheque - no cash option (not that we'd do that anymore). He's gettign supplies form places we know rather than 'odd sources'.
So we came up with this sort of concept design and some criteria for the build - are we being too pedantic - or just know whats needed to do a proper job?
We agreed this spec:
Rear Garden – Build Spec Requirements
Patio surface
To be laid so paving surface is below DPC – equal height (150mm) around the exterior walls (garage and house) to comply with Building Regulations (Part C).
Paving to be smooth sandstone or porcelain pavers – TBC.
Colour?
Laying pattern - as per supplier/manufacturer’s recommendation to suit the laying area.
Drainage Requirements
1) Drainage channels to be installed around perimeter of the garage/house and orangery.
2) Drainage channels to connect to existing drain options already in situ with suitable traps. (Building Regulations - Part H)
3) Lawn drainage – as required for prep to lay artificial lawn as discussed.
a. Drain channels to be wrapped in geo-textile membrane.
4) Consider additional sub lawn drainage soakaway(s) such as a deeper type1 filled ‘sump’ with drain channels leading to this.
Area preparation
Excavation to required depth to allow for installing so that patio surface height is in line with Building Regulations.
Expected to be:
1) Excavated to required depth to comply with building regulations and damp course in relation to final patio surface.
2) Levelled so that the ‘fall’ is away from the property as best possible.
3) Geo-textile separation membrane on soil base
4) 100mm (minimum) Suitable Type1 sub base assuming ‘good grade’ ground
5) 15-25mm mortar bed (as per recommendation from paving supplier/manufacturer)
a. Mortar bed must use appropriate coarse grit sand NOT building sand (BS: 7533)
6) SBR Bonding (bond bridge or primer) to be applied to slabs to adhere to mortar bed.
a. Or laid as per manufacturers spec.
7) Jointing to be to be at least 25mm deep or as per manufacturer spec.
a. Ensure mortar bed does not exude from under paving slabs to reduce joint depth.
Ensure a good alignment of paving – no crossed joints.Electric point
There will be a 25-30m run of armoured electrical cable (customer provided) that will run from the garage to the top corner of the garden. This will be run and incorporated as part of the sub-base preparation is so as to bury the cable appropriately.
‘Lawn’ areas:
Lawn area sub base to be as above excluding mortar bed.
Must include adequate drainage channels/soakaway.
Artificial grass – samples if possible. 36/38mm length was discussed.
Sleeper ‘Beds’
Sleeper bed #1 – trapezoid to be 2 sleeper high
- Approx. 1 > 1.2m wide (inc sleeper width ?)
- Approx. 4m length (width of lawn area)
Sleeper Bed #2 - rectangluar to be 2 sleeper high
- Approx. 1> 1.xm wide (inc sleeper width ?)
- Approx. 4m length (width of lawn area)
Gazebo Installation
Gazebo – 3m x 3m in corner. Check installation needs for base etc.
Supply/Build to be agreed – timescales/prepwork to be agreed.
Other notes:
Retain ‘Sleeper’ bench
Retain maple tree opposite bi-fold doors. Create a ground level are to support the tree base and create ‘feature’ – to be discussed and agreed.
Conceptual Diagram:
Diagram shows approximation of layout discussed lawned areas will be adjusted to suit the layout of the use of full paving slabs as best possible.
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AhEi1Q_w926ngd4unTMVV0uqG6ZDIg
Paths by edge of orangery and Sleeper Bed #1 to be approx. 1m wide or there abouts (Note - ACO drain on edge wall of orangery)