2 in 1 question-patio and pond-calling all builders

[mimififi]

Hi there you guys:

I have a patio area where flag stones are laid but not levelled or stuck down with a small pond in the middle. I would like to level and stick the stones so that the plates don't slide off the table and enlarge the pond fractionally to a nicer kidney shape. I would also like to put in a small fountain and thus pump and maybe a tiny light. I am no electrician, so I'm guessing solar powered would be the road to take.

Here's the rub: How do I do this? I understand about pond liners and such like as I have a book about that, but where is best to get the fountain etc from? Also I am on a very tight budget as I'm supposed to be saving up to go to Hong Kong in the autumn and husband says I'm not allowed to 'do' the garden this year, but frankly, I need to as it looks disgraceful.

So a how to is required taking into account:
a) my extrememly tight budget
b) My husband hates doing the garden so I will have to do all the work myself and I'm not charlie dimmock.

help, pleeeeeaaaase!
love
mimi

[Clanad]

My, mimififi, your just full of questions today...
Firstly, a true recirculating pump for a pond which would make it pump up to a watercourse is rather expensive. However, a pond fountain (solar powered) can be very affordable, such as this:
http://www.alsto.com/parent.asp?product=8637601x&dept_id=1010&cm_ven=NexTag&cm_ite=1010&code=macs=MA6ANEXTAG

Should be able to find one at a DIY or garden supply.

Solar powered decorator lights are quite inexpensive, but be prepared to be dissapointed by the amount of light they give.

Next, your probably going to have to pull up some the pavers or flagstones to level them. First thing is to secure a straight edge, perhaps a 2X4 or 2X2 board long enough to go across most of your area. Lay this across the area and, with a bubble level, see where it's low or high. You can then pull up the individual flagstones or a small group of them (be prepared for the creepy crawlers underneath). If they're to high remove some of the underlying fill and if they're to low, buy a bag or two of children's play sand. Put some of the sand in the low spots, dampen just lightly, tamp a little bit to settle it and replace the flags.
None of this need be to expensive, but you are going to expend some sweat equity.. Good luck!

[wilsarnie]

May I muscle in here...?

Clanad you seem like an informative person. I have the same problem as mimififi with the wonky patio slabs.

When I put the sand down do you think that stops all of the weeds and grass trying to grow through the cracks?

[Clanad]

Not really, wilsarnie... problem is, although the sand itself is not conducive to grass and weed growth, it doesn't take very long for dirt, real dirt, to blow or wash into the cracks. This is where most of the unwanted growth originates. Best solution is to spray the cracks with weed and grass killer, in my opinion. I have a paver block deck I installed over the last 5 or 6 years, and the only thing that consistintly pops up are tree seedlings from the fine ash seeds shed in the fall. There again, I have to either pull them one by one or spray them...You can try a weed barrier underlayment, but then the entire patio would have to come up and even then, the dirt filling the cracks would probably defeat the intended purpose...Good luck!

[mimififi]

I think I will definately try this over this bank hol weekend. FYI play pit sand is �1.49 for 10 kilos in tesco at the moment, so I think I will do that. Clanad, are you sure play pit sand will do the job, doesn't it have to be special builders sand or sharp sand or anything....? I'm not questioning you, just that I know nothing about these things and just trying to clarify.......(You know how incompetent I am!)

Can I use the play pit sand also for under the new pond liner (which I bought last summer) or does that have to be special sand too>

More help please. Cheers my dears.

[Clanad]

There are specialty sands for use with paver or stone decks such as yours, but they are more expensive and the play sand works just fine. As I mentioned earlier, after intially spreading it dampen it a little. It cuts down on the dust and makes it easier to work with as well as helping it to compact. By the way, it should be at least 2 to 4 inches in depth. You can make a simple tamper to help compact the sand by nailing a short piece, say 8 inches long or so of a scrap 2X4 to the bottom of another 2X4 maybe 4 feet long. It'll look like an inverted "T" when used. If you don't have one, invest a little money in a bubble level at least 2 feet long and 3 feet long is even better. The aluminium (Brit spelling, see?) ones are the cheapest here and do a good job. Another really indispensible tool for this work and you can use it in a lot of other applications is a good sized rubber mallet. Looks like a hammer, but the business end is solid black rubber perhaps 4 inches in diameter and 6 inches long. It works very well pounding on the stones to bring them to level without damaging them... again, Best of Luck!

[Clanad]

Oh, and for the rest of your question, the play sand will work just fine for bedding the pond liner...

[mimififi]

Thanks clanad, I'm going to be abusy little bee this week, aren't I.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

thanks again, much appreciated.