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Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 6:09 pm
by bullcycle
First of all please excuse my lack of knowledge and technical terminology!
I recently had a company come to look at my 74yr old mums back yard which is block paved.
She was having lots of weeds coming through which she could no longer keep on top of so was considering having it all taken up.
I contacted this company who said there was no need and with sand and sealing it would give her another few yrs.
I specifically stated that it was the weeds that were the issue.
They quoted a price for the job and said it was a day and half work.

When they did the job it in fact took them a day...in fact probably 4 hrs of coming to and fro.
They jetwashed it in the morning, left it for 3hrs then came back with one bag of sand which they put down, left again and came back to spend 20 mins sealing.

3 weeks later my mum has prolific weed growth yet again.
I contacted the company who said he would come and put weed killer down, which a pointed out was the reason we had hired them to stop her having to do this.
He became very angry and basically put the phone down on me!

As I said, I am no expert but feel sure she shouldn't have weed growth after 3 weeks!
No idea what to do now?!

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 8:09 pm
by dig dug dan
clowns. if they did not kill the weeds to start with, then they will come back.
What they should have done.

Sprayed the weeds (making sure they show you a copy of their licence)
left it two weeks
Powercleaned the paving
Left it to FULLY dry
Apply kiln dried sand
Applied sealer.

Now the sealer is on, not sure it can be removed, but at the very least you need it professionally weed killed!

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 8:31 pm
by bullcycle
They charged her £400 too!
I don't want to let them come back to spray the weeds as I feel sure they wont tolerate being called back every 3 weeks!
Had a good look today after reading this site and sone blocks have no sand between and some look like the sand is being forced out (bit like worm casts at the beach?)
Ive taken pics etc, should I contact trading standards? Small claims?
I have also found out they they have only been trading for 6 months.
Feel guilty as I hired them and now my mum is stressing about it!
Thanks for the reply!

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 9:02 pm
by dig dug dan
its all too common I'm afraid. companies start up in an area, make a killing then disappear leaving the genuine companies to sort the mess.
do they have a land line number?
do they have an address?

trading standards will do nothing as per usual, but you could use small claims if you feel it will get you somewhere.

some photos would be useful if you can.

Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:33 pm
by bullcycle
Yes I have an address and also a landline and email address.