Before
We used a string line and level to determine the final height of the DG - on the house was easy - the level was the unpainted top of the slab. The fence line was more diffcult - I used a marker to measure on the fence.
Make sure you have 2 levels - the final finished top level, and then below that, the level for the stabilised base - for DG, recycled road base was used. (and quite economical at $40/tonne).
Our lovely neighbours helped us move 4 tonnes of recycled road base in about 2.5 hours - we spread the road base to the first line I drew.
We then used a compactor on the road base. The machine was really heavy and I'm glad we had it delivered!
We then put down a 1 inch layer of DG and compacted. Stabilise the DG with cement. If the DG is dry and powdery - slightly dampen before compacting. In this pic, some other neighbours dropped by for moral support! (and a bit of shovelling)
The DG will loosen a little over time and it can be a bit dusty - so it's essential to have an area near doorways to remove any DG that might catch on your shoes. We purchased some Quantum Stone pavers from nearby Masonry and Slate. Lay them on a bed of sand, then DG around it, finally sweep sand between the pavers.
Finally, when you're done, sprinkle down the path with water to help the DG set.
Call your friends - the job is way easier with some friends to help! To move 4 tonnes, 2 people filling wheelbarrows and 2 people smoothing out the material took 2.5 hours. It allows a job this size to be done in a day. The work also goes a lot faster with someone to chat to! You don't realise you have tired/sore muscles when you're too busy chatting ("girl talk" as our neighbour Stefan would say!)
We then used a compactor on the road base. The machine was really heavy and I'm glad we had it delivered!
We then put down a 1 inch layer of DG and compacted. Stabilise the DG with cement. If the DG is dry and powdery - slightly dampen before compacting. In this pic, some other neighbours dropped by for moral support! (and a bit of shovelling)
The DG will loosen a little over time and it can be a bit dusty - so it's essential to have an area near doorways to remove any DG that might catch on your shoes. We purchased some Quantum Stone pavers from nearby Masonry and Slate. Lay them on a bed of sand, then DG around it, finally sweep sand between the pavers.
Finally, when you're done, sprinkle down the path with water to help the DG set.
DIY tips
Hiring a compactor - easily done through Kennards etc. If you don't have a tailer or ute (like us) - I found Online Hire were great. Kennards charge $99 per 24 hour period, plus $36 to hire a trailer so you can get the compactor home and back. Online Hire charge $70 for the 24 hours and a $20 each way delivery fee - all up $110.
Call your friends - the job is way easier with some friends to help! To move 4 tonnes, 2 people filling wheelbarrows and 2 people smoothing out the material took 2.5 hours. It allows a job this size to be done in a day. The work also goes a lot faster with someone to chat to! You don't realise you have tired/sore muscles when you're too busy chatting ("girl talk" as our neighbour Stefan would say!)
Posts
Looks great! Glad we could help
ReplyDeleteGlad we could be of some assistance. In all honesty, it just made us want to move sooner. It's nice out at SCR - even if we're moving rocks!
ReplyDeleteThanks guys! Looking forward to seeing how your backyard turns out :)
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ReplyDeleteWhat did you use to tidy up the edge between the DG and the grass next to the clothesline? some sort of concrete edge maybe?
ReplyDeleteHey Blakey - sorry about the late reply - we haven't used anything yet. We will have to dig it up and properly edge it at some point (we're not quite sure whether the grass will stay there either)
ReplyDeleteI imagine you cant leave it like that, the lawn mower or edge trimmer near the DG will flick it all up right? I saw this thing in bunnings, 15cm wide heavy plastic strips, sold by the roll. You bury it in the soil leaving a couple of CM above the ground or so. its perfect for running the edge trimmers along it. A bloke at work says he uses it all the time.
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