Upgrading my wearing out shed - in stages on a budget

[shafiq]

So true. Thing is, I never even actually asked him. It was a ****ing forum and I opened up a 'off topic' thread about building a shed in brick. Plenty of helpful suggestions but he couldn't help chip in with 'you're incapable' or something like that. I just ignored it and never remarked back with, your incapable of doing your own bike repairs .

Anyway, yes, thats what I did. I didn't use muck though, I used mortar . Just kidding, you sound like a builder... Having a nice earned rest now that I know I'm soon ready to start throwing the paving slabs back on!

 

[Accipiter]

... right...

Not a builder sharing - just, at times, a quick learner . I was 'instructed that sand and cement, once mixed, was referred to as "muck"... I got quite messy first few times...

 

[shafiq]

Here we go. After ages, finally I can see the inside of my cheap gorilla bucket (don't know why they stopped making em like the proper Gorilla buckets, must be happy to think we're all stupid). A few levels dotted around...

 

[shafiq]

Quick update as I sacrificed the mtb ride! I thought about it and knew it would say over time. So some side supports going in with makeshift rebar and gaps for drainage hopefully.

MOT as the base hopefully helps drainage towards the grass too!!

 

[duke]

What is your plan for the patio concrete slabs?
You are working in very tight area.

 

[shafiq]

What is your plan for the patio concrete slabs?
You are working in very tight area.

Once I've got a decent level (about now) I'm gonna throw at least 8 of them concrete slabs back onto the sand that I've tried to retain with that weak 3 tier wall. Hoping I've overengineered enough that the water falls nicely away and not too much side pressure onto the wall.

Yes, very tight area indeed but once 8 slabs are down/levelled then I can use up 2 of the fence posts to repair/support the weak posts that have rotten and get the other 8 slabs down. Then move down towards the shed and get some more area levelled and slabs put down.

Makes sense in my head, I think.

 

[shafiq]

 

[shafiq]

Mud from the kids water pool retired back into area it came from (under the slabs, I think). About 6 rocks and loads of old bricks smashed (safety spec on, also had a massive rock-shimmy across the garden!!) and mingled into the top soil.

Just next to the reatinign wall I used the smashed rocks and sharp sand to hopefully reduce stress here and allow water to escape easier. Sand thars been kept in the white builders sack, put back inside the ditch and cover it all over in the hope the cats will not come and s*it all over again!!

Used the sledge hammer/axe to tap/tamp it all down. Beats using my heels which is what was done 20+ years ago (worked well) whilst doing my old garden at Huddersfield. Am hoping I've tamped it enough thar the top soil will make its way around the smashed rocks sufficiently .

Money ran out but also need to go yo my mums for pizza. I reckon on Monday (pay day) I can spend 8 bags of sharp sand to get this half all level and then one more fence post in before completing this section of paving/patio (whatever) slabs.

Cats!! Can constantly smell their poo as they probably haven't had soft ground to do their deeds in for years. Still, not all of em bury it (of which I'm not thankful as its harder to find!).

 

[Accipiter]

@shafiq ... re the cat problem... you could try laying a barrier of dome sort where they're doing it - wire netting for example or some things scattered around to make it difficult.

You could also try to scatter lemon, lime, or orange peels on the area. There's also some plants like Coleus canina (the scaredy-cat plant), which emits a strong odor that cats find incredibly offensive. Other good choices include lavender, rosemary - but not sure about the lavender thing. We have two cats and some lavender plants - cats don't take notice of the lavender! But... I know your not presently looking to put plants in where your workshop is going .

Coming along nicely

 

[duke]

View attachment 56488
Mud from the kids water pool retired back into area it came from (under the slabs, I think). About 6 rocks and loads of old bricks smashed (safety spec on, also had a massive rock-shimmy across the garden!!) and mingled into the top soil.

Just next to the reatinign wall I used the smashed rocks and sharp sand to hopefully reduce stress here and allow water to escape easier. Sand thars been kept in the white builders sack, put back inside the ditch and cover it all over in the hope the cats will not come and s*it all over again!!

Used the sledge hammer/axe to tap/tamp it all down. Beats using my heels which is what was done 20+ years ago (worked well) whilst doing my old garden at Huddersfield. Am hoping I've tamped it enough thar the top soil will make its way around the smashed rocks sufficiently .

Money ran out but also need to go yo my mums for pizza. I reckon on Monday (pay day) I can spend 8 bags of sharp sand to get this half all level and then one more fence post in before completing this section of paving/patio (whatever) slabs.

Cats!! Can constantly smell their poo as they probably haven't had soft ground to do their deeds in for years. Still, not all of em bury it (of which I'm not thankful as its harder to find!).

Maybe to help with materials you can search market place for free stuff, I do it often and have done well doing so.

 

[shafiq]

Haha. Thanks for the cats info @Accipiter but once the sand is all covered up we should be sorted. Am working on how to increase the food/berrys for birds without yoo many feeders so maybe I could kill/feed 2 birds with one stone.

Once the shed/slabs are all sorted then I can work on 'whats next'. Coleus Canina, I'll remember that.

 

[shafiq]

Maybe to help with materials you can search market place for free stuff, I do it often and have done well doing so.

Thanks Duke. So far so good. Alot of the stuff thats gone in the ground was recycled. Sharp sand and building sand all shop bought by me. There is a builders bag of sharp sand 10 miles away, but I'd rather not figure out how to move that in my small Toyota Estate. So certain things I'll just wait until pay day and buy.