How do i lay slabs on Soil in the garden? need a greenhouse base.?
Question:Do i need to lay sand/hardcore cement? or just as they are? any tips would be usefull, thanks for all answers..
Answers:
i have laid plenty of patios and paving so may i suggest a quick siple way to do it , firm the ground , then make a dry mix of cement and sharp sand ,5prts sand 1 cement throw this down and roughly even it, then lay your first slab check its level ,twist the slab down to level it check its level then lay 3/4 slabs and check there level to ,do this untill you have your base then brush the mix in to the joins , if you have left a gap 1/4 inch is enough you can but join (pushed together) as well give it at least 24 hrs then put your green house on and enjoy
I believe you will need to smooth over the soil, then covering of an inch of sand (approx). Pat the sand down. Put canes at the corners of the area you are paving and tie strings criss crossing the area. Use a spirit level to check that the string is level (the string should be taught but touching the ground). There should be no dips away from the string.
Lay the slabs from one point and work forward from there. Measure the area and make sure you can fit slabs in exactly otherwise you shall have to cut them.
No cement needed as you will presumably want to lift them again some time in the future.
it depends how long you want it there.
if the ground is very soft then hardcore will help in the long term, then some level sharp sand.
I sprinkled lots of slug repellent on this before i laid the slabs to stop them coming up through out of the soil.
take your time and get it right is the key, then you will have loads of hassle free use.
I agree with the above.
Also, you can do a dry mix of sharp/brown sand with cement for a firmer base less likely to "give".
Just a thought.
Has to be level for starters and depending on the weight of your greenhouse. I would seek more professional guidance to answer the question on hardcore, base and foundations.
I think as long as it's firm and level with hardcore 6inches minimum and packed down would be fine
Look it up on DIY websites ot go to the library.
Whether or not you lay a base (decomposed granite or sand) you should tamp the ground so that your work area is level. This will slow any shifting. If you are laying stone, you will just need to make sure all pieces are level with one another. Add sand or dirt under thinner stones. Then use more sand or decomposed granite as your grout. Adding the base layer helps set the stones.
This is similar to what you can do:
http://www.bhg.com/bhg/story.jsp?storyid...
Good luck!!
The way I did it, and they way most gardeners do it, is to lay a strip of concrete about 8in wide all round to support the greenhouse. Do not concrete a large rectangle solid base, as this will not allow you to grow anything inside the greenhouse.
Mark out your greenhouse on a suitable site and dig down a rectangular trench about 12in wide. Make it about 6in deep. Try and make the strip as level as you can. Tamp the soil down with a heavy object and spread 3in of hardcore. Board the sides of the trench leaving an 8in gap between the boards for pouring the concrete. Make sure the top edge of the borads are level. Mix enough concrete (sand, cement, hardcore) and pour into the trench in a uniform layer. Tamp the concrete when still wet and make sure you have a level surface. Use a spirit level. When dry, remove boards and build you greenhouse on the base.
the simplest way is, get the size of your greenhouse mark it on the ground and dig down about one and a half bricks deep.then have a go at putting in a small two brick high base( anyone can do it), making sure the top layer is level. hey presto put the greenhouse on top and away you go. the inside is okay for planting and all four sides of the greenhouse are stable,cost negligible, time little..
I put my greenhouse up about a year ago now.
I simply soaked 4 pieces of 3x2 wood in used engine oil a few times over 2 weeks then screwed the greenhouse onto them. Bingo!! lol
Then i placed the green house over the soil patch and started glazing. this weighed it down lots and settled it nicley
Yes there is a risk it might start sinking but even if it does it wont be much.
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