Hi there,
I want to lay a patio and am struggling to find a recommended workman to do it for me. Has anyone else had a patio or driveway laid and can recommend a reliable person to do it? Or has anyone tried doing it themselves and is it worth the trouble?
Thanks in advance!
PS also is there anywhere I can get rid of old paving stones? I don't think Lewisham recycling centre woudl take them but I'm not sure. Any advice greatly appreciated!
Patio laying
hi richie
i built mine myself, without any previous experience, and its hard work, but not difficult.
there are a number of websites which give detailed instructions on how to do it - so just follow one of them.
most of the work is the preparation; digging out the area you are going to build on, then making a solid (and level) enclosure using breeze blocks/bricks. fill in the area with suitable hardcore (which has to be really bashed in to fill gaps) then top off with smaller grade filler, and finally sand.
then top it off with your choice of paving slab, and mortar between the joints.
to be honest, half way through i wished i had just got someone to do it for me, but i persevered, and was dead chuffed at the end. the one thing you cant do, is rush it.
i'd say, if it needs to be raised, and is pretty big - then get someone in to do it - unless you have plenty of time on your hands, and are reasonably fit.
also, dont do it just before the wife goes away on holiday, or you'll have the police round.
i built mine myself, without any previous experience, and its hard work, but not difficult.
there are a number of websites which give detailed instructions on how to do it - so just follow one of them.
most of the work is the preparation; digging out the area you are going to build on, then making a solid (and level) enclosure using breeze blocks/bricks. fill in the area with suitable hardcore (which has to be really bashed in to fill gaps) then top off with smaller grade filler, and finally sand.
then top it off with your choice of paving slab, and mortar between the joints.
to be honest, half way through i wished i had just got someone to do it for me, but i persevered, and was dead chuffed at the end. the one thing you cant do, is rush it.
i'd say, if it needs to be raised, and is pretty big - then get someone in to do it - unless you have plenty of time on your hands, and are reasonably fit.
also, dont do it just before the wife goes away on holiday, or you'll have the police round.