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I built a 1.2m retaining wall using those mortar-free blocks (Tobermore) - not cheap but at least easy enough for an amateur like me. I investigated the legalities regarding structural engineer, and this was the height limit (assuming not near a building or road as you say). Your sleeper idea...

Should have added that although iron sulphate is considered a 'tonic' for grass, it isn't strictly a fertilizer, and your lawn will definitely appreciate the addition of fertilizer after the iron has done its job

Iron sulphate is the active ingredient - also greens grass while it kills moss and turns it black. I buy big tubs of it from Ebay (other online auction sites are available) - the bigger the quantity the bigger the saving. First mow the lawn, then apply 5 grams per square metre (dissolved in...

If its been down for a long time (decades?) and never sunk, then I'd say you're good to go. Although I'm certainly no expert, its logical to assume a longstanding patio is no more likely to sink than a newly-laid sub-base. I laid a new patio above the pre-existing one in our garden a few years...

I have similar, and left a 200mm gap between the house wall and a dwarf blockwork retaining wall supporting the patio (except of course at doors where it meets the house). Ensure the patio falls away from the house, and you have appropriate drainage. Paving Expert website is a great resource...

Still hard as nails after an overnight soak, so my tile supplier is seeking more of the same. Thanks anyway for the suggestion

I appreciate and (now) agree with your point, but what do you suggest as my course of action - tear it all up, or try to re-lay the 15% that are loose and/or have crumbling grout?

I wouldn't use anything stronger than a strimmer wire around your electrical and gas meter boxes/pipes - mixing such with that angle grinder idea could be disastrous :eek:. Practice with the strimmer is the answer, and accept the fact that strimmer wire wears down - its a pain-in-the-butt part...

The Paving Expert website was a bible to me when I did a similar patio-raising project. I build a low blockwork wall 6" from the house and had the patio gradient fall away from the house.

Hi George I did something similar a couple of years back, and although no expert, a couple of things I learned along the way: Look for a hard-landscaper or builder, but clearing the garden of rubbish and plants yourself first might save you a fair amount in the quotes. Get 3 quotes (the cheapest...

Thanks JohnD - so if I'm understanding you correctly, if the adhesive softens in the bucket of water then I don't have waterproof adhesive (honestly cant recall what I used) and have a bigger problem so need to rip the rest up anyway? Or just prime the ply where I've lifted the row and then...

I tiled the bathroom floor 5 years ago (upstairs, onto 6mm ply screwed onto the chipboard flooring) but have since had an extension which required an RSJ being fitted just below the bathroom, in which the floor dropped a couple of mm (see dodgy sealant along wall joint). I'm guessing this is the...

Worry not - that'll thicken up over the summer as more of the seed germinates. If you feel the need in another month, mix seed with a 50/50 mix of topsoil & sand and spread it over the thinner sections. Best not to disturb the existing soil with young shoots.

Glyphosate weedkiller will kill living plants but is harmless to all else around, so you could theoretically sow seed straight away, though I'd give it a day or two to allow absorption by the weeds before the proper work. Unfortunately more weed seeds are likely to spring up along with your...

Seed will do as good a job for less effort and money - just needs time. First kill the weeds with glysophate, use a shopping basket to sieve the top few inches (that bit hurts but is worth it if stoney, though your soil looks good), level it out with a rake, then sow a decent grass seed at the...

Thanks. I guess I saved about 25%/£3k though the spec evolved and choice of paving/wall materials improved. Although I spent every weekend on it for a number of months, it was time well spent and good physical exercise. Best recommendations for anyone thinking of doing likewise: don't hire plant...

For the life of me, I cannot get this picture the right way up (still, the lawn is getting greener!)

The kids are delighted that football is now permitted (and possible)