martin55

I'm looking to change the back garden to all lawn. It used to be membrane with gravel on. It's compacted clay and doesn't absorb water, as shown. I plan to buy rolled lawn, but what do I need to do prior? Attached image. Thanks.

Hi, 4 of my double glazed windows in my bungalow suffer from severe condensation in the winters. The windows in question are north/south facing. Can anyone make suggestions to reduce. Ideally from an expert or someone who has a good understanding of physics, thermal, etc. Thanks.

there's an existing drop curb and that's beside the road. The mockup shows a small 20cm step.

Hi, I'm seeking a very rough, ball-park figure to how much this would cost. The current drive is 5.5m x 3.6m, and it has a slope on the length (5.5m) of 80cm/0.8m. I plan to reduce this by half, so around 40cm instead. I would need a concrete block retaining wall around the perimeter, cut the top off the hollow concrete blocks to make a slope, then shutter around the top of the blocks, fill in with aggregate then fill in with concrete as the top layer. I have attached mockup. https://prnt.sc/nRtP4jHNSLdk Thanks.

Just to clariy, I'm seeking what I need to do, particuarly in regards to the existing path. Do I need to break it/remove it?

Planning permission isn't needed if it slopes back onto the owners land, which I plan to as it will be a 40cm drop over 5.5 meters.

Hi, As shown, I have a driveway (including left path) is 5.5m length x 3.4m width and 80cm height from curb to bottom. I'm planning to level it a bit more so the incline is less, as shown, and using the full width, including current path. I'm not sure how they would achieve this. However, to save money, how should I prepare it? Thanks.

Thanks a lot. I appreciate your time and experience to help me out. The weep holes, I'm not familiar but just done some reading up. From what I see, I can either leave gap between a couple (not sure how many is required) of the concrete hollow blocks where there would usually be cement, or use a plastic pipe insert. Assuming on the last course of bricks, and also likely at the end of the training wall where it's highest as water will run down hill.

Thanks a lot, I hadn't thought of that. And yes I will do terraces as it isn't much more work. Can I ask what your background is. Such as experience? Thanks again.

Hi, I have a sloped front unused garden that I'm planning to convert to a driveway. The drop kerb has been approved. However I would like someone in this field of landscaping/construction to check my plans. I'm not going to hold anyone to their word, I am new to this and I want to know what someone would usually do. Link: https://ibb.co/P6LGLM4 My main concern currently is the footing requirements, as that's the first step. Basic stats from the link: - length 5.7m x width 2.7m - Using hollow concrete blocks 415mm x 215mm x 215mm - Footings 280mm depth x 330 width - Using 12mm rebar in the footings to line up with holes in hollow bricks, which I'll then fill with concrete I'm confident in making the wall itself, but not sure about footings (most important part I think). Thanks.

Hi, I'm new to construction, so I've sought advice from a few people and resources online. I'd really appreciate someone to have a quick look to see if my plans are ok, or need adjusting. Sorry if a lot of this stuff is basic, but I didn't want to assume anything. As well as checking over plans, I'm not sure of: 1. Do I need to first lay any aggregate above (very hard, dry) clay? 2. Is the depths of footings enough (see plan) 3. Do I need to think about internal drainage, or will I not need that if I’m using concrete or monoblock paving? Thanks a lot.