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Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 5:47 pm
by Mikey_C
that be the problem then, the plastic will not allow water through were as a weed fabric would, any the water draining through your patio has collected and waterlogged the sand/cement/subase that you contractor put down.
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 6:53 pm
by seanandruby
F F S what a cowboy, there isn't much else he could of done wrong.
It's as bad as it can get. Take it up get rid of the visquinn and start from scratch.
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 8:14 pm
by Dermo
That makes complete sense now about the impermeable membrane!
Depressing stuff, what can I say - thought I was relieving myself of having to think about the logistics by hiring someone, will know better next time. As soon as the weather lets up I'll set about rectifying things. I'll also inform the installer that created the disaster of his ineptitude. 
Thanks so much for your comments - any subsequent ones will be appreciated.
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 10:34 pm
by local patios and driveway
name and shame!! at least then he is google-able to any future customers who would like to check him out online. i expect he was the cheapest right? 
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 5:10 pm
by Dermo
He was indeed the cheapest, only myself to blame! Normally I'm a "you get what you pay for" adherent but my instincts failed me on this one 
Have 2 separate guys (pros as far as I can gather) coming out for remedial quotes, if I can't afford them I'll go at it myself (in-between the horrendous downpours) with the help of some friends - armed with the magnificent advice from this site.
I'll post the outcome either way on the forum.
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 5:30 pm
by mickg
I hope it all works out well for you and hope your next post is good news
with your next contractor ask to see some of their previous work and speak to the home owner too
Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 4:06 am
by Dermo
Thanks Mickg. Watch this space!
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 1:00 pm
by Dermo
Patio's sorted now - it was taken back up & re-laid properly by a pro, with the result that it looks superb! Thanks all for the comments and advice. Now, if only the rain would let up to give me a chance to go out and enjoy my new patio...
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 1:14 pm
by mickg
That's excellent news Dermo 
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 12:07 pm
by GB_Groundworks
did he do it properly as per this site, removed the visqueen and laid a proper sub base of type 1 compacted, then bedded them on a full mortar bed mixed with sharp sand not fine builders sand,
where do these cow boys get there ideas from, visqueen a bit of bricklayer sand lay the slabs on there and it'll be alright
hope you chase original guy up for some money back and maybe point him in this direction and get him to read this site before he messes up someone else garden
i bet you'd wished you found this site first haha
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 12:57 pm
by Dermo
Yes 2nd installer did all of these things - dumped the visqueen plastic thing unceremoniously, put in the sub base, compacted it, & cemented it properly.
The thing is, I did find this site first but still somehow managed to end up with a cowboy.
I did chase the original guy down & to my own amazement also managed to get a refund! No point in showing him this site as he seems to be in serious need of visiting an optician as proven by the mess he made of my garden.
Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 10:13 pm
by irishpaving
Have you got photo of the new relay please
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 2:48 pm
by Dermo
As requested, here's some photos of my patio version 2. Don't mind the strewn sandstone rocks in the background; they're part of my rockery / raised border which is a work in progress!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51932858@N07/4882694338/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51932858@N07/4882693340/
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:08 pm
by lutonlagerlout
its a lot better than it was
I wont mention all the straight joints and 4 corners touching 
LLL
Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 11:11 am
by Dermo
Thanks LLL. I think the installer did a great job considering he had to work with a fair few slabs that'd been virtually ruined by the previous fool (my budget didn't allow me to buy new ones). The 4 corners touching & straight joints I think can be explained by the selection of slabs that could be reused.
While I'm on the forum, can you or anyone else suggest measures I can take and products I can use to protect the sandstone from stains (oil, bird droppings...) and damage and if there's an effective way of removing cement stains that the previous guy put all over them as he was putting together his wildly uneven cobble border (my blood's beginning to boil again)?
Thanks.
