Home D.I.Y.

[CXRAndy]

Can you take down the soil near the wall too?

Are you planning to add some drainage behind the timbers which hold back the lawn?

 

[Electric_Andy]

Yes I've taken the corner out as well, so the step is a parallel face all the way to the wall

 

[Electric_Andy]

Yes I've taken the corner out as well, so the step is a parallel face all the way to the wall

This is turning into a right headache. The lower garden is now roughly level and the retaining walls are complete.
But, in order for me to have the appropriate (12mm/metre) slope for water run-off, I have to move 4 inches off the top half of the would-be-patio area. Luckily we have another patch where I can shovel the excess soil.

I'll then have to compact the soil prior to me laying the sub-base. The sub-base is arriving in the next few days (2 x 800kg bags) and we have no side access. So I'll have to wheelbarrow it all through the house, take a panel off the decking so I can tip it 5ft onto the garden below, then transport it down to the lower patch. Luckily our decking is being replaced on the 28th anyway.

Then I'll have to lay the sub-base and re-hire a whacker plate. I think this is going to kill me. But we might have a patio at the end of it

 

[Fastpedaller]

This is turning into a right headache. The lower garden is now roughly level and the retaining walls are complete.
But, in order for me to have the appropriate (12mm/metre) slope for water run-off, I have to move 4 inches off the top half of the would-be-patio area. Luckily we have another patch where I can shovel the excess soil.

I'll then have to compact the soil prior to me laying the sub-base. The sub-base is arriving in the next few days (2 x 800kg bags) and we have no side access. So I'll have to wheelbarrow it all through the house, take a panel off the decking so I can tip it 5ft onto the garden below, then transport it down to the lower patch. Luckily our decking is being replaced on the 28th anyway.

Then I'll have to lay the sub-base and re-hire a whacker plate. I think this is going to kill me. But we might have a patio at the end of it

If it kills you the Family can put you under the patio!

 

[Electric_Andy]

If it kills you the Family can put you under the patio!

very true!

 

[Electric_Andy]

What a catastrophe. Trying to remove a glass decking panel and it exploded. Only cut me once but showered my partner in glass and she has about 5 cuts on her hand and chest. She was underneath holding it. Took me all afternoon clearing it up. Now I've got to shovel a ton of earth before I can start barrowing sub base in through the house 😭

 

[Fastpedaller]

What a catastrophe. Trying to remove a glass decking panel and it exploded. Only cut me once but showered my partner in glass and she has about 5 cuts on her hand and chest. She was underneath holding it. Took me all afternoon clearing it up. Now I've got to shovel a ton of earth before I can start barrowing sub base in through the house 😭

Crikey - hope you are both ok. Take care and take your time. I always find these sort of things happen if I rush at things (YMMV)

 

[CXRAndy]

So I'll have to wheelbarrow it all through the house

😲

That must be horrific, even if you get 50kg in each wheelbarrow that's 32 trips (64 inc return )through the house !!!

I hope you're young and strong

 

[Electric_Andy]

😲

That must be horrific, even if you get 50kg in each wheelbarrow that's 32 trips (64 inc return )through the house !!!

I hope you're young and strong

No. No I am not

 

[Electric_Andy]

I've leveled the patch as best I can. Off to hire a compactor now. I'm a bit worried that some areas of soil will compact more than others so I'll have to level it again. Or should I just spread the hardcore and compact that?

 

[newts]

I've leveled the patch as best I can. Off to hire a compactor now. I'm a bit worried that some areas of soil will compact more than others so I'll have to level it again. Or should I just spread the hardcore and compact that?

If the ground is still soft, you'll need to dig it out or it'll keep sinking. It'll be like putting hardcore on top of a mattress otherwise.

 

[rockyroller]

got the basement vent back in, now that it has warmed up