🖼️
The project:
To meet building code on a recent deck addition, I needed to reduce the distance between the bottom step and the ground by 20mm....20MM!!!!! Without ripping up the existing path and re-concreting ( and losing the beautiful aged weathered feature) I laid 20mm bluestone tiles in a creative configuration, bordered on the lower side of the sloping site with the retaining wall small blocks, and on the upper side bordered with plain border blocks. Cost under $250
- Materials:
2 x 800 x 400 bluestone tiles; 7 x 400 x 400 bluestone tiles; Dunlap outdoor tile adhesive; couple of bags of garden pebbles; tile sealant for the bluestone tiles; plants for features. Ready-to-use grey grouting for large tiles.
- Tools:
Pressure cleaner for prep of existing concrete. String and tent pegs for string line.Tile adhesives tool; grinder with tile cutting blade for cutting corners of large bluestone tiles; wheelbarrow; heavy duty garden gloves for spreading pebbles; spirit level and tape measure; paint brush for applying tile sealant. Camera to send photos to all the family! 😄
- Step 1:
Pressure cleaner to prep area to be tiled.
- Step 2:
Set out tiles in design, taking into account the required clearance of 20mm under the step to meet code, and clearance of the gate opening so as not to hit the tiles or pebbles.
- Step 3:
Mark exact location of tiles; mix adhesive making sure to add powder TO water, not trying to add water to powder! Apply adhesive to one tile area at a time making sure with spirit level that there is fall for rain to run off. Keep checking clearance of gate and measurement to meet the 20mm required before the adhesive sets
- Step 4:
Set out border of retaining blocks before adding pebbles to stop them falling into the lawn. Lay plain border blocks using string line to keep straight.
- Step 5:
Paint tiles with sealant to avoid discolorations and staining. Grout large tiles at centre long edges and behind the high end of slope so that water doesn't get under the tiles 😉.
- Step 6:
Spread pebbles to surround tiles, place extra plain border blocks at gate to stop pebbles spilling into grass on footpath.
- Step 7:
Welcome visitors 😁
