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Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 3:58 pm
by sweatband
hi just after some guidance as my husband has rather enthusiastically tackled the preperation of our back garden patio and paths. I know all the info is probably on the site but even mentioning he should have a look on here caused a major domestic. I have now talked him into laying the slabs he has bought on a bed of sand not cement and he has hired a jack hammer for the weekend. The patio will be on three levels the existing level adjoins the rear of the house and the second is being built up and a small wall constructed in between these (Brick layer is doing that now) there is then a third level already existing which is accessed by concrete steps which he is going to slab over (given up on this one). The drainage at the minute is a storm shield along the back of the house which is above the ground level????he reckons he can lower it a bit but that will still leave the patio 75mm aove dpc. I think this is wrong and we hope to sell when its done so could do with some advice. also is it 10/1 for the screed under the slabs they are concrete flags ...he has bought washed sand and again I thought it was grit sand for this. Any guidance would be appreciated and i will tactfully pass it on before he goes wild with the jackhammer!!!! :O

Posted: Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:12 pm
by cwight
Hi, Well he's your husband not mine. But I'd suggest that if he's not prepared to look at the site and see how it should be done he probably shouldn't do it.

I'm not an expert, but reading the site to do my patio it was easy and very simple to understand. RE the DPC. In theory you should keep the patio 150 below it. There is nothing to stop you going closer to your DPC, however, if you are attempting to sell it is the kind of thing a survey would throw up, so it can be problematic. The site, however, has some very good suggestions about how to deal with the issue. Perhaps your husband should look at them?

Posted: Tue Apr 25, 2006 2:27 pm
by Tony McC
You can lead a norse to water....

If your fella won't read and learn, then using the back of the spade as an attitude adjuster may be justified. Me telling you for you to tell him is called Chinese Whispers and is a recipe for disaster.