New patio - concrete between slabs breaking up

wallbash

I always use a sharp sand/cement base. But for pointing , I get myself a radio something to sit on , small pointing trowel . Takes me a long time. But when finished , will resist a power washer.

Brushing in a mixture , might well be fast , but will require maintenance.

lindos90

The lumpy grey stuff on your second picture...is that what you are calling gravel or is that your soil?

If its your soil then there is a big problem, if its 'gravel' then perhaps not too bad, as it looks like hardcore, although doesnt look very compacted to me.

If hes getting shirty then be wary, and stall paying him until you are happy with it, perhaps call your local Trading standards for advice, (if hes a rouge they may have a file on him anyway) but they will be able to advise you on your next steps.

Pythagorous

lindos90 wrote: »

The lumpy grey stuff on your second picture...is that what you are calling gravel or is that your soil?

If its your soil then there is a big problem, if its 'gravel' then perhaps not too bad, as it looks like hardcore, although doesnt look very compacted to me.

If hes getting shirty then be wary, and stall paying him until you are happy with it, perhaps call your local Trading standards for advice, (if hes a rouge they may have a file on him anyway) but they will be able to advise you on your next steps.

the lumpy grey stuff is the gravel.

Having just pulled up one of the flags it appears they have been just stuck on the gravel:mad:

http://img.skitch.com/20100707-b186wb4gae7756iygpneftqnyx.jpg

So is the general consensus that I'm not being unreasonable to ask for it all to be dug up and laid on a proper base for the same price we originally agreed?
Not looking forward to this conversation!

diggerman123

the base is totally unsuitable for the required use.
it is common these days that NEW paving , not the replacement of existing paving is laid on a gravel base which contains a plastic support that looks similar to an egg box shape that gives support but also allows for soakaway drainage. it is new regulations from water authorities. dont pay him in my opinion !
if he has bodged the base i would be looking very closely at the conservatory too including depth of foundations etc

Pythagorous

diggerman123 wrote: »

the base is totally unsuitable for the required use.
it is common these days that NEW paving , not the replacement of existing paving is laid on a gravel base which contains a plastic support that looks similar to an egg box shape that gives support but also allows for soakaway drainage. it is new regulations from water authorities. dont pay him in my opinion !
if he has bodged the base i would be looking very closely at the conservatory too including depth of foundations etc

Thanks diggerman. I think its best to get him to finish it properly rather than refusing to pay him and getting someone else to finish the job.

I want to make sure I make it clear what I expect of him.

Do you have any info or on the 'egg box shape' you have referred to?

Thanks

lindos90

Pythagorous wrote: »

the lumpy grey stuff is the gravel.

Having just pulled up one of the flags it appears they have been just stuck on the gravel:mad:

OK, the lumpy stuff does not look like gravel (im thinking pea gravel) it looks more like a grey hardcore to me, but I would still be expecting to see some dabs of concrete to secure it, its just been laid on the base, no 'sticking' really evident. to be fair they must have compacted the base quite well for the slabs to look so level.

How deep is the base? Is there any of this egg box stuff under it?

Is this a replacement patio? if not then you may find he is aware of this new regulation, but is not that skilled or experienced with it.

Diggerman, how does this new regulation work for grouted patios? surely if the regs are about drainage, what would be the point if the pavers are grouted and effectively sealed?

I heard some time ago about this before it came into force, and it was said that new blockpaving would have to be redesigned to incorporate spaces between the blocks to allow for drainage.

Pythagorous

lindos90 wrote: »

OK, the lumpy stuff does not look like gravel (im thinking pea gravel) it looks more like a grey hardcore to me, but I would still be expecting to see some dabs of concrete to secure it, its just been laid on the base, no 'sticking' really evident. to be fair they must have compacted the base quite well for the slabs to look so level.

How deep is the base? Is there any of this egg box stuff under it?

Is this a replacement patio? if not then you may find he is aware of this new regulation, but is not that skilled or experienced with it.

Diggerman, how does this new regulation work for grouted patios? surely if the regs are about drainage, what would be the point if the pavers are grouted and effectively sealed?

I heard some time ago about this before it came into force, and it was said that new blockpaving would have to be redesigned to incorporate spaces between the blocks to allow for drainage.

Base is about a foot deep. The old patio has basically been raised for the conservatory. No egg box stuff!

BTW would you say its pinickity to complain about the non solid brick (i.e. with the holes in it) used in the step here..

http://img.skitch.com/20100707-f6uyhuf9ignn16xa4tftu5781h.jpg

gabyjane

BTW would you say its pinickity to complain about the non solid brick (i.e. with the holes in it) used in the step here..

http://img.skitch.com/20100707-f6uyhuf9ignn16xa4tftu5781h.jpg[/QUOTE]

That would really bug me yes! no offence but it doesn't look finished properly.

lindos90

Pythagorous wrote: »

Base is about a foot deep. The old patio has basically been raised for the conservatory. No egg box stuff!

BTW would you say its pinickity to complain about the non solid brick (i.e. with the holes in it) used in the step here..

http://img.skitch.com/20100707-f6uyhuf9ignn16xa4tftu5781h.jpg

I would expect that last brick to be a full one, they are not hard to come by, quite standard really, we have just bought some to top a wall in our garden, they were about £1 each from a local brick yard (not cheap!), I would not accept them just filling the three holes with motor either, the end one just needs replacing with a full brick. (if you live near us, you can have one of ours as we over estimated!)

I always seem to have this problem with tradesmen, its just lack of attention to detail, they just 'wham bam' and dont always think about design and how it will look, as they dont have to live with it!

Base depth..sorry forgot that you said they had built it up, at least its deep enough, classic cowboys do the shallow base. I'd still bide my time re the payment, and call trading standards. Show him the cracked grouting and see what his reaction is, depending on his reasoning, could tell us if he is an out and out cowboy/rogue.

If its ontop of an old patio, then this new act does not apply anyway. You just want a nice new one with solid grout, not much to ask.

mandragora_2

My husband's just done a better job than that, and he's a diy-er...