Porcelain Patio Installation in Birkenhead
Removal of the existing garden, a new sub-base laid to falls, and installation of a light porcelain patio with charcoal block edging.
The existing garden
The customer wanted to replace the old garden with a low-maintenance porcelain patio. There was an awkward step down from the back door, so the new levels had to be planned carefully before any work started.
The garden sits between a rendered house wall on one side and a timber boundary fence on the other, with a short flight of steps up to the rear door. We agreed on a light porcelain patio with a charcoal block border to frame it and tie in the step.
Location
Rear garden, Birkenhead, Wirral
Work
Full dig-out, new sub-base and porcelain patio
Materials
Light porcelain paving and charcoal block edging
Status
On site now, porcelain laid across nearly the whole garden
How the job was carried out
The photographs below show the job from the existing garden through to the current stage.
1 Existing surface removed and area excavated
The old surface was lifted and the area excavated, then cleared and taken back to a firm, even base.
2 New sub-base installed and compacted
A stone sub-base was laid over a membrane and compacted. The levels and falls are set at this stage so surface water drains away from the property.
3 Charcoal block edging laid and levels set
Charcoal block edging was laid to the perimeter, then the porcelain set out from there on a full mortar bed.
4 Porcelain laid with charcoal block edging
The porcelain was laid on a full mortar bed, with levelling clips used to keep the surface flat and the joints even.
5 Patio ready for jointing and finishing
With most of the paving down, the patio is ready for jointing and finishing.
6 Laying continued across the garden
Each slab goes down on a full mortar bed, worked off the edging with levelling clips to keep the surface flat and the joints even.
7 Paving brought around to the boundary
The porcelain was carried around the shed and along the back boundary, framed by the charcoal block edging, so the patio now covers nearly the whole garden.
Ground preparation and drainage
Once the old surface was removed, we excavated the area and prepared a new sub-base. Getting the levels and falls right at this stage is important, particularly to make sure water drains away from the property rather than towards it.
The porcelain is laid on a full mortar bed so each slab is fully supported. On a job like this the groundwork is most of the work, and it is what keeps the patio flat and stable over time.
Current status: the porcelain is now laid across nearly the whole garden, from the back door around the shed to the rear boundary. The remaining work is the last few cut pieces, jointing, pointing the edges, a final clean and clearing the site. Finished photographs will be added here once the patio is complete.
JSB Paving installs patios, driveways and groundwork across the Wirral. Call Danny to talk through your project.
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