Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 2:34 pm
Hello everyone
Firstly let me say that I am not a Landscaper of any description (as you're about to find out) I come here in my capacity of Joe Public. My old Mum has requested that No1 son “puts down a few slabs� for her in order to create a patio. She originally had a patio but took it out some time ago when decking became fashionable, she’s changed her mind now though (bless her) and wants the patio back.
She’s looking to use Indian Sandstone or, if she can find them, traditional Flags. The thickness is unknown at the moment but from what I can gather, I need a ’bound’ base with a mix of around 5-1, wet enough to work with, but not so wet as it slumps (I think I know what that means)
The questions I’m a bit stuck on are as follows (and I have searched so apologies if I didn’t do a good enough job)
No1 - I understand the bit about the base, but what about the stuff under the base material? The Earth onto which I’ll be laying the bound base. Is there anything I need to do to that? Is it simply a question of digging a bit out, whacking down the bound base and laying the slabs or do I need anything else? This is a patio, not a driveway, so won’t have anything more than a few people on it occasionally.
No2 - the Damp proof course. Do I need to dig down lower than the DPC and ensure that the top of the slab/flags is level with the bottom of the DPC or doesn’t it matter? (writing that makes me feel dirty as I’m sure I already know the answer but just need to check)
No3 - pointing - which is the best method to use? I’ve been reading about ’buttering’ and I’ve also been told (not by this site) about brushing a dry-mix into the gaps, what do you blokes suggest as the way to go and do you have any tips for a chap who’s not done it before and who is trying to avoid getting a smack in the mouth from his mum?
No4 - As a last resort, my Mum looked into employing a professional to do the job but was quoted £140 per metre, would this be a reasonable figure (i know it's tough to know without knowing everything about the job, but a general idea would be good) - presumably this is a per square metre figure? It seems very expensive given that it's "+ materials" - i'm thinking of getting a couple of other guys in to quote but as it's her job, and as she's now set on me doing it, even though i've never done it before, it's proving tough to convince her, she's not keen on 'strangers' and watches an awful lot of 'rogue trader' type progs so she's perhaps a little over-cautious, any advice on this or any of the other issues gratefully received.
Thanks in advance chaps.
Firstly let me say that I am not a Landscaper of any description (as you're about to find out) I come here in my capacity of Joe Public. My old Mum has requested that No1 son “puts down a few slabs� for her in order to create a patio. She originally had a patio but took it out some time ago when decking became fashionable, she’s changed her mind now though (bless her) and wants the patio back.
She’s looking to use Indian Sandstone or, if she can find them, traditional Flags. The thickness is unknown at the moment but from what I can gather, I need a ’bound’ base with a mix of around 5-1, wet enough to work with, but not so wet as it slumps (I think I know what that means)
The questions I’m a bit stuck on are as follows (and I have searched so apologies if I didn’t do a good enough job)
No1 - I understand the bit about the base, but what about the stuff under the base material? The Earth onto which I’ll be laying the bound base. Is there anything I need to do to that? Is it simply a question of digging a bit out, whacking down the bound base and laying the slabs or do I need anything else? This is a patio, not a driveway, so won’t have anything more than a few people on it occasionally.
No2 - the Damp proof course. Do I need to dig down lower than the DPC and ensure that the top of the slab/flags is level with the bottom of the DPC or doesn’t it matter? (writing that makes me feel dirty as I’m sure I already know the answer but just need to check)
No3 - pointing - which is the best method to use? I’ve been reading about ’buttering’ and I’ve also been told (not by this site) about brushing a dry-mix into the gaps, what do you blokes suggest as the way to go and do you have any tips for a chap who’s not done it before and who is trying to avoid getting a smack in the mouth from his mum?
No4 - As a last resort, my Mum looked into employing a professional to do the job but was quoted £140 per metre, would this be a reasonable figure (i know it's tough to know without knowing everything about the job, but a general idea would be good) - presumably this is a per square metre figure? It seems very expensive given that it's "+ materials" - i'm thinking of getting a couple of other guys in to quote but as it's her job, and as she's now set on me doing it, even though i've never done it before, it's proving tough to convince her, she's not keen on 'strangers' and watches an awful lot of 'rogue trader' type progs so she's perhaps a little over-cautious, any advice on this or any of the other issues gratefully received.
Thanks in advance chaps.
thats a 6k job from me.