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Side passage advice (concrete or slabs)

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  • 18-05-2024 10:44pm
    #1
    wolfyboy555
    Registered Users Posts: 1,435 ✭✭✭


    IMG_20240518_114414206_HDR~2.jpg
    IMG_20240518_125558747_HDR.jpg

    I am looking for ideas on how to sort out the two side passages I have. For the smaller one I was thinking of just digging out and mixing some concrete to make it easier to get bins in and out.

    For the bigger area I have plans down the line to get a lean to built covering it and using it was general storage for bikes etc. Should I try to concrete route here or would slabs be a better idea?

    Any downsides to either approach or maybe an alternative instead?

    Also would drainage be an issue for either side?

    Thank you for your input.



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    #2
    Padre_Pio
    Registered Users Posts: 5,169 ✭✭✭Padre_Pio


    Im in the same boat.

    Gonna concrete the side and add a drain so I can hose out the lean to.

    I have a feeling that tiles will just be a pain. We get ants in the back garden and the tiles are a magnet for ants nests



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    #3
    wolfyboy555
    Registered Users Posts: 1,435 ✭✭✭wolfyboy555


    im going to give the smaller area a go hopefully next week. Going to try and concrete it. I've read online about depths and have seen 100mm hardcore followed by 100mm concrete. Would these depths be needed for such a small section?

    I was also thinking of putting some steel nails maybe into side of exisiting slab to try and tie it to new section. I'll just have some shuttering along the fence and leave a small slope for water to drain into gap ( might fill with decorative stones).

    Also came across this video

    https://youtu.be/tNoWVPVb6Mo?si=YIMg1IDVuwtn_2Yc

    Could this technique negate the need for hardcore (and subsequent hassle of removing all the soil)



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    #4
    Lumen
    Registered Users Posts: 31,074 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122258674#Comment_122258674

    That's a bit of a weird video. He says the important thing is prevent frost heave rather than bearing strength, and then goes on to test strength anyway and completely ignores whether the mudcrete thing actually resists water absorption (which is what causes the frost heave).

    I've seen some of his other projects where he has to go back afterwards and re-do, it doesn't inspire confidence.



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    #5
    niallb
    Registered Users Posts: 2,734 ✭✭✭niallb


    I wouldn't be putting the steel nails in in an attempt to bind them. The existing concrete looks stable as it is, and you'd be weakening it for little benefit.

    Make the new pour stand on its own and put a flexible seal down between them like bitumen or tar or maybe a PVA Bonding agent here in the 21st century!! Epoxy grout rings a bell too, but it's been a while.

    If the concrete goes right you'll happily forget about it quickly. If it doesn't you'll be cursing it daily for years, so it's worth taking your time!



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    #6
    wolfyboy555
    Registered Users Posts: 1,435 ✭✭✭wolfyboy555


    IMG_20240703_154243096_HDR~2.jpg

    Ok this is where am I at the moment. did a good bit of digging. Am I ok to concrete directly over those postcrete sections ? I still have to set up the shuttering. The postcrete makes it a bit awkward.

    Gonna order some hardcore and gravel now. The gravels says it's already mixed with sand so would that be ok or do I need to order a bag of sand separate. If I just get the gravel bag would the mix be 5:1 ?

    https://tjomahony.ie/gravel-jumbo-bag-178008.html



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    #7
    Lumen
    Registered Users Posts: 31,074 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    Why do you need shuttering? Aren't you just filling a hole?



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    #8
    Perks
    Registered Users Posts: 59 ✭✭Perks


    Why do you want gravel in the mix? You just want a sand:cement mix.

    You only need shuttering for the front where you are cutting the grass in half.

    In the back you want the cement to flow upagainst the postcrete sections and directly upagainst the side edge of current cement path.

    Your back looks fairly sheltered prob get away with not fussing about drainage. You do have the option of connecting to current system in both front and back.



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    #9
    chooseusername
    Registered Users Posts: 3,715 ✭✭✭chooseusername


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122342278#Comment_122342278

    You need batched gravel for concrete. A mix of sand and gravel. Sand on its own and cement is mortar, not suitable for op's job.



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    #10
    wolfyboy555
    Registered Users Posts: 1,435 ✭✭✭wolfyboy555


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122339472#Comment_122339472

    I am going to use shuttering along fence to make sure I get correct level with a small fall away from house.

    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122346690#Comment_122346690

    thanks for clarifying. I'm just waiting on a friend to drop over a mixer before I get going on it.



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    #11
    bfclancy2
    Registered Users Posts: 180 ✭✭bfclancy2


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122350189#Comment_122350189

    don't mind shuttering just pour against the fence gravel boards, use a straight edge to screed using the existing fall on the path to determine the fall on the new concrete, don't over complicate it



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