Shoul I or shouldn't I?

[morgana50]

I am a single lady on the wrong side of 50 and am wondering if I should tackle a bit of bricklaying.

My garden path, made of Victorian slabs, needs relaying (I'll worry about how I'll do that later ! ) and I need a small retaining wall (12ft long by 2 or 3 bricks high ) to keep it stable as the garden has sunk to a lower level than the path over the years and the stuff under the path is constantly eroding with the weather.

Looking at past posts on here and the excellent pavingexpert.com website I know *how* to do it but wonder if I should tackle it myself (being very fit but not as strong as I once was or as strong you guys on here. ) I am concerned about the foundations / concrete. How to carry it in in the first place, how to mix it and how to move it around. That web site says it is very heavy (as I expected )

Would it be better to get a local builder in instead, in terms of expense/ bodily injury/ time expended by me/ finish ?

All opinions gratefully received (and don't be afraid to tell me like it is please )

Thanks

 

[WoodYouLike]

I am a single lady on the wrong side of 50

45 ?

 

[Deluks]

The fact that you even considered the idea makes me think that you should give it a go, you can buy premixed bags of bricklaying mortar from diy stores, although you should see if they deliver, as they weigh about 25kg (or 25 bags of sugar in ladies terms )

The ever helpful people on here will give you all the guidance and help you need.

 

[breezer]

shouldnt that be 12 1/2 bags of sugar?

but seriously, morgana50, how do you know you can't build a wall?

yes its not a ten minute job, it can be hard, but think of it when its done, you can say (with pride) I built that!

I would suggest that you do some more research on building a wall, learn wht needs to be done, then do it, its not as if you are in a race is it so if it takes you a whole week or what ever, who cares, you have built it, you have done it right. i say go for it and good luck

it is some times said on this forum, that diy'ers do it better than trades iF they do the research and take their time (so long as its not too specialist like gas)

 

[morgana50]

The fact that you even considered the idea makes me think that you should give it a go, you can buy premixed bags of bricklaying mortar from diy stores.

I have always had to do everything myself, single parent and all that

I have bought 2 bags of sand and cement mix in the last few months to point parts of the party wall- not an immaculate finish but it stops the wall falling down and the honeysuckle will cover it next year <g> I was puzzled then about the difference between premixed bags of S & C and bags of mortar. The man at BQ said they were the same and right for that job. So if they are the same product, why have 2 different labels ?
The finish pointing looked a little sandy too, which is why I wondered about buying mortar this time to build the wall. Any thoughts ?

The hardest part of getting them home was getting them out of the car onto my shoulder ! Which is why I asked about the wisdom of putting down foundations myself. I will need a lot more than 2 bags of cement oro that !

Thanks
Morgana

 

[morgana50]

but seriously, morgana50, how do you know you can't build a wall?

Didn't say I couldn't, <g> just cautious about the weight and mixing of concrete for the foundations. How do I know how much I need and how much water to mix in ?

I would suggest that you do some more research on building a wall, learn wht needs to be done, then do it, its not as if you are in a race is it so if it takes you a whole week or what ever, who cares, you have built it, you have done it right. i say go for it and good luck

Good advice. Thank you !
<goes back to website to read about concrete again>

Morgana

 

[Thermo]

if its only a 12ft long wall about three courses high, it wont need a great deal in terms of foundations. Dig them about a spade in width and about 6 inches deep. You can then fill them with concrete. For what you are doing it will be just as simple to buy some post mix to do the job. This is already premixed. All you need to do is pour it in get it nice and level whilst its dry and then pour water on it to start it going off.
About 6 bags should do the job. Its a lot quicker and less messy than mixing up concrete from scratch

As for the brickwork, DO NOT buy the premixed stuff. It is a waste of time and effort and is useless. Youll be better of buying cement and building sand seperatly and mixing it up. the ready mixed stuff is very poor. Youll need to mix it in the ratio of 1:3 (so 2 bags cement and 6 bags building sand should more than do you) You need to mix it dry first and then add water. Get it so its not to sloppy, so that if you pick up a dollop on your trowel, it moves but doesnt slide stright off, and keeps its shape.

 

[morgana50]

Thanks Thermo !!
You make it sound so much simpler than what I have been reading
Post mix sounds just what I'm looking for. Where do I get that and how does it come ? Premixed, you say. In some sort of tub? What weight ?

In my reading I keep seeing drains to be put in to let the water run away. I don't need those on such a low wall, do I?

Again, thanks for the advice on brickwork and the quantities. I have printed that off and will use it when I start. I did wonder about the sand & cement as I said. My Dad was a brickie (long dead now) and I was fascinated watching him mix this and also remember thinking that one day I'd have a go myself

M

 

[Thermo]

post mix is designed for securing fence posts etc. it normally comes in about 20kg - 25 kg bags. Dont go for the fast setting stuff. Any builders merchant will do it. Its basically concrete mix, but with slightly smaller aggregate in it.
The wall is so small that you are best to keep it simple. With regards to drainage when you lay the bricks just leave a few joints open along the length of the wall on the first course ie dont butter them up with the mortar