Hi all. This is my first post here, so please be gentle!
We moved into the house about 12 months ago. There is a 9 sqm area (ie 3x3) that I am planning to lay slabs over. This goes up against a current path on one side, the garage wall on one and fencing on 2 sides. Due to the land on the other side of one of the fences being at a different level, I have a bit of a problem - see the pictures.
The person who layed the path used up turned paving against the fence to stop the soil on the other side slipping downwards. Other fence posts out of the pic are 'boxed' using slabs and then the void behind and around the post concreted. I cant see how he has fixed the vertical slabs in place, but the path looks like its been done with a dry mix and a mortar edge.
I am planning on a similar approach to match. I've already dug a trench, but I'm unsure how to set the slabs. Should these be set in using mortar, or concrete ? I will be using a dry mix to set the slabs as the ground is very sound and firm. Would this be suitable to hold the upturned slabs ? Do I need a crushed stone layer in the trench ? To match the height of the others already there, they will be buried about 6 inches (slabs are 450x450mm).
Any comments / advice on this approach ? Any alternatives that would be better ?
You're a star - I'd hunted far and wide on the site but never came across this! Interesting to see I need concrete and not mortar. Also, as per the pic, the soil that its retaining wont be as high as the slab, but it will come under very low (if any) pressure from the lawn on the other side of the fence. I assume its ok to have the slab higher than the soil, as long as I get plenty of concrete on the rear side ? I'll place some packing between the slab and the fence whilst it sets so the slabs arent leaning on the fence long term, to ensure there is still some 'give' should the fence take a whack from the other side.
Well... I finally got round to having a go and I am happy with the result. However.... whats the best thing to use between the blocks ? I have butted them up as closely as I can, but there are some gaps where they dont meet perfectly. Should I be using mortar for the pointing ? Ideally, I am looking for a cheap tub of ready-to-mix stuff as I dont need much and this would keep things simple and cheap. Any recommendations from B&Q / Wickes etc ?
