Hi Tony
I need to lay a soldier course with the 100mm edge against a kerb with a radius of 600mm.
The gap appears to be too big for a sand joint.
Should I mortar the joint or would it look better if the blocks were cut to fit?
Regards Steve
Laying soldiers against a kerb
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84-1093879891
Hi Steve,
still at it, eh? ;)
Assuming this is an external radius, then there are 3 possibilities which are illustrated here. The first is to rely on untrimmed blocks, but, as you can see, you end up with a whopping 36mm wide joint, which, even if pointed with mortar, is going to look naff...
...so, assuming you decide to trim the blocks along the long edge, you could trim one edge only, which would give this sort of finish....
...or you could trim both edges, as shown below, which, in my opinion, gives a much more balanced and professional looking finish, although there are twice as many cuts to make.
Cutting blocks along the long edge is never easy, especially with a standard splitter, and you'll find it much quicker, and you'll have fewer wasted blocks, if you use a power saw, preferably one with a diamond blade.
Are you anywhere near finished yet?
still at it, eh? ;)
Assuming this is an external radius, then there are 3 possibilities which are illustrated here. The first is to rely on untrimmed blocks, but, as you can see, you end up with a whopping 36mm wide joint, which, even if pointed with mortar, is going to look naff...
...so, assuming you decide to trim the blocks along the long edge, you could trim one edge only, which would give this sort of finish....
...or you could trim both edges, as shown below, which, in my opinion, gives a much more balanced and professional looking finish, although there are twice as many cuts to make.
Cutting blocks along the long edge is never easy, especially with a standard splitter, and you'll find it much quicker, and you'll have fewer wasted blocks, if you use a power saw, preferably one with a diamond blade.
Are you anywhere near finished yet?
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steve r
- Site Admin
- Posts: 143
- Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2003 9:18 pm
- Location: chelmsford
Thanks Tony
I think I will try the third option, after all this time might as well take the best option.
Have about half the kerbs down and soldiers against the the house laid. I had a few problems getting the planters right, but now the weather has changed things should move a lot quicker.
It does seem that the project is cursed just as I think things will start moving a problem crops up.
When I excavated a trench for a land drain there was no problems for about 20 metres, but the last 5 metres I hit 2 concrete foundations reinforced with 1" steel bars and had great fun getting them out, fortunately I managed to leave a water main and power cable in place (at first sight I thought it was a tree root)
About 4 hours after laying and back filling the pipe all the standing water and soggy bits disappeared and the following day it was firm enough to push a wheel barrow over. Have since read your comments on over doing land drainage.
PS belated happy paddys day
Steve
I think I will try the third option, after all this time might as well take the best option.
Have about half the kerbs down and soldiers against the the house laid. I had a few problems getting the planters right, but now the weather has changed things should move a lot quicker.
It does seem that the project is cursed just as I think things will start moving a problem crops up.
When I excavated a trench for a land drain there was no problems for about 20 metres, but the last 5 metres I hit 2 concrete foundations reinforced with 1" steel bars and had great fun getting them out, fortunately I managed to leave a water main and power cable in place (at first sight I thought it was a tree root)
About 4 hours after laying and back filling the pipe all the standing water and soggy bits disappeared and the following day it was firm enough to push a wheel barrow over. Have since read your comments on over doing land drainage.
PS belated happy paddys day
Steve
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84-1093879891
Thanks for the belated salutations, Steve. I've more or less sobered up now after over-indulging in the Jamesons on Monday. My elder daughter went back to Ireland for the weekend and only came crawling home in the early hours of this morning - it seems she had an even better time!
Where was the land drain? I didn't think you'd need any, given the new run of surface water drainage you installed before xmas.
Any idea of a planned finishing date yet? Is your missus still speaking to you? ;)
Where was the land drain? I didn't think you'd need any, given the new run of surface water drainage you installed before xmas.
Any idea of a planned finishing date yet? Is your missus still speaking to you? ;)
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steve r
- Site Admin
- Posts: 143
- Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2003 9:18 pm
- Location: chelmsford
Hi Tony
The land drain is to the south of the drive obout 3 metres from the drive.
As the field next to the house is higher than the drive, the water finds its way down to our garden.
I am sure that if it wasn't intercepted it would run over the kerbs.
I certainly had my moneys worth out of the submersible pump over the winter.
Tip for others. If the pump is run for a few minutes to exclude air from the outlet pipe then provided the outlet is lower than the inlet, it will continue to syphon the water and the pump can be switched off.
Am currently laying kerbs and more kerbs, should hopefully finish them at the weekend and then.......
The drive is a standing joke down the pub especially when I walk in rubbing my back and knees.
Will keep you posted.
Steve
The land drain is to the south of the drive obout 3 metres from the drive.
As the field next to the house is higher than the drive, the water finds its way down to our garden.
I am sure that if it wasn't intercepted it would run over the kerbs.
I certainly had my moneys worth out of the submersible pump over the winter.
Tip for others. If the pump is run for a few minutes to exclude air from the outlet pipe then provided the outlet is lower than the inlet, it will continue to syphon the water and the pump can be switched off.
Am currently laying kerbs and more kerbs, should hopefully finish them at the weekend and then.......
The drive is a standing joke down the pub especially when I walk in rubbing my back and knees.
Will keep you posted.
Steve
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84-1093879891
Well, if you're going to put in an interceptor drain, now's the time to do it, otherwise you'll end up taking up all that paving you've not laid yet! ;)
I reckon you're spending too much time in the alehouse and not enough on the driveway, if the local tap-room experts are taking the piss. There's more daylight than dark, now we've passed the equinox, so there's no excuse! :)
I reckon you're spending too much time in the alehouse and not enough on the driveway, if the local tap-room experts are taking the piss. There's more daylight than dark, now we've passed the equinox, so there's no excuse! :)
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Andrew
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sat Apr 26, 2003 5:41 pm
Tony
Told you I was a sado! Sunday lunch time and still browsing your site!
Quick question related to Steve's. I am thinking of a straight line of soldiers next to a driveway to hold the beds back...do I need to mortar the joints or can I just butt them up next to each other dry? (Laid on a good bed of concrete of course)
Andrew
Told you I was a sado! Sunday lunch time and still browsing your site!
Quick question related to Steve's. I am thinking of a straight line of soldiers next to a driveway to hold the beds back...do I need to mortar the joints or can I just butt them up next to each other dry? (Laid on a good bed of concrete of course)
Andrew
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84-1093879891