Basic DIY questions?
- Thread starter UnderOpenSky
- Start date
Crispy
The following psytrance is baṉned: All
You can get a plaster sealing coat eg Dulux Sealer for Plaster but it's more expensive than just watering down some emulsion
Elpenor
Dancing as fast as I can
Another question, having begun a job I thought would be simple but have spent three hours getting nowhere and given up in a rage for now.
I have bought a plastic shed base to lay on this not quite flat patio. The idea is to fill the interlocking bits with gravel and then a 6x4 shed goes on top But obviously it won’t be level. So how do I get the plastic base level.
I have tried doing it one piece at a time using shims but I haven’t been able to even manage that and I have 12 to do.
Does it even matter ?
I have bought a plastic shed base to lay on this not quite flat patio. The idea is to fill the interlocking bits with gravel and then a 6x4 shed goes on top But obviously it won’t be level. So how do I get the plastic base level.
I have tried doing it one piece at a time using shims but I haven’t been able to even manage that and I have 12 to do.
Does it even matter ?
Elpenor
Dancing as fast as I can
I can get a picture of the patio tomorrow as it’s a bit dark here now.
I haven’t laid out the plastic base in full yet as it’s a bit tricky to disassemble the pieces once it’s clipped together. At least it is for me, as I seem to find everything involving DIY difficult - perhaps I’m dyspraxic?
I haven’t laid out the plastic base in full yet as it’s a bit tricky to disassemble the pieces once it’s clipped together. At least it is for me, as I seem to find everything involving DIY difficult - perhaps I’m dyspraxic?
jontz01
taking refuge in the loft
Can you screed a bit of sand (or even better, crushed limestone dust) under it? Use a length of timber with a spirit level on top to smooth it over first... It's not an ideal solution but might help smooth out the dips and hollows. Sand has got decent compressive strength but obvs doesn't stay put very well, especially prone to getting washed out. The other option would be to make a basic wooden frame (out of treated 3x2 or similar) underneath and shim that up level then plonk your base onto that.
StoneRoad
heckling from the back!
Earlier today started to dig out top soil from where we are going to put up a shed. It's good soil so I've got some spuds to pot up !
Getting the hardcore base and slabs level will need a long level ... and plenty of patience - probably some bad language will feature.
[rain stopped play just before me back wanted to stop]
Getting the hardcore base and slabs level will need a long level ... and plenty of patience - probably some bad language will feature.
[rain stopped play just before me back wanted to stop]
WouldBe
Dislicksick
If you've not got a long level then a shorter level and a straight edge are just as good.
StoneRoad
heckling from the back!
Already sorted ... will be borrowing the extra long, long level from work tonight - and some pegs, string etc.
For my shed base I dug in two sides and then built up the other two side with half-buried sleepers because it was on a bit of a slope, then filled that whole area with a dry mortar (checked really carefully with a spirit level but no adjustments needed as I'd managed to get it perfectly level just by eye, still really proud of that!) and then laid the gravel grids over that.
Elpenor
Dancing as fast as I can
Envy for folk who manage to get things level. I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong. I have been swearing and sweating loads but still no progress.
I have tried with the breezeblocks for a few hours this morning. I can’t even get one of the bastards level, let alone 4 level and level in relation to each other. I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong and that is the frustrating thing.
I’ve decided to give up on this, it’s clearly a job that is beyond me. I will see if I can take the plastic shed base thing back and just not bother with the cost and hassle of a shed. My garden tools are currently living on the floor of the dining room and they can stay there for all I care.
I have tried with the breezeblocks for a few hours this morning. I can’t even get one of the bastards level, let alone 4 level and level in relation to each other. I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong and that is the frustrating thing.
I’ve decided to give up on this, it’s clearly a job that is beyond me. I will see if I can take the plastic shed base thing back and just not bother with the cost and hassle of a shed. My garden tools are currently living on the floor of the dining room and they can stay there for all I care.
StoneRoad
heckling from the back!
Although OH and I have always managed to put up sheds ourselves, several "build a shed" companies will not only do bespoke designs, for a suitable extra charge they'll also install a base & build the shed on site. Is that an option for you ?
Elpenor
Dancing as fast as I can
Are there? I haven’t found one myself. That would be handy though probably out of my budget.
Every company I’ve found requires a level base for installation.
Elpenor some gardener / builder / handyperson types might be up for it, though it'd probably be easier to find someone if you're getting referred through a friend rather than just calling up out of the blue.
If you can't get it sorted would one of those little plastic cupboard type mini shed / tool store things be an option worth looking at at least for the time being?
If you do fancy another crack at it, little adjustments is the way to go. Check the level, see which side is higher, either dig down a little bit (underneath the thing if you're trying to level blocks etc.) or build up the other side a bit, check level again, etc..
If you can't get it sorted would one of those little plastic cupboard type mini shed / tool store things be an option worth looking at at least for the time being?
If you do fancy another crack at it, little adjustments is the way to go. Check the level, see which side is higher, either dig down a little bit (underneath the thing if you're trying to level blocks etc.) or build up the other side a bit, check level again, etc..
spitfire
Walty McWaltface
Ground workers use a long piece of string and some bits of rebar at each end to level across long distances.
www.wikihow.com
How to Level Ground: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow
Homeowners level ground in their yards for a variety of reasons. Some people level the ground before building a new home, especially when the property has hills. Others level ground to prepare for new above-ground swimming pools, swing...
www.wikihow.com
teuchter
je suis teuchter
We can't help you unless you post some photos so we can understand what you're starting from, and how the shed base is supposed to work.
For example, a breezeblock at each corner is never going to work if the base needs to sit on a continuous flat surface. Regardless of whether you get them level.
WouldBe
Dislicksick
Not a good idea as the string will sag slightly and even moreso if it gets damp/wet.Ground workers use a long piece of string and some bits of rebar at each end to level across long distances.
How to Level Ground: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow
Homeowners level ground in their yards for a variety of reasons. Some people level the ground before building a new home, especially when the property has hills. Others level ground to prepare for new above-ground swimming pools, swing...
spitfire
Walty McWaltface
Not a good idea as the string will sag slightly and even moreso if it gets damp/wet.
I've watched loads of ground workers use this method in all weathers. Get some nylon string.
StoneRoad
heckling from the back!
When packing and levelling carriage underframes, I tend to use a laser level ....
UnderOpenSky
baseline neural therapy
You could ask on a local facebook group. Results may vary of course.
WouldBe
Dislicksick
It will still sag. String isn't rigid enough to stay straight.
WouldBe
Dislicksick
It would still sag. That's why you don't use 3x2" for floor joists as you'll end up with a curved floor.Yes we use them when putting up TVs and projector screens but I figured if it was good enough for the pyramids then it should be good enough for WouldBe's shed.
WouldBe you have to keep it under tension when you're doing the levelling.
I'm not building a shed.
spitfire
Walty McWaltface
It would still sag. That's why you don't use 3x2" for floor joists as you'll end up with a curved floor.
I'm not building a shed.
Ah yeah sorry, StoneRoad's shed.
StoneRoad
heckling from the back!
think the original levelling query was elpenor.
(but I'm shed-building as well)
Riklet
procrastinación
Anyone cut and fitted skirting board before? I think I want to do this.. my room is a bit of a disgrace with a chunk missing.
Also blown sealed units for pvc windows... how hard are they to measure order and replace yourself? Some of mine are really manky now and need done. But im skint.
Also blown sealed units for pvc windows... how hard are they to measure order and replace yourself? Some of mine are really manky now and need done. But im skint.
jontz01
taking refuge in the loft
Have you ever seen a bricklayer?
jontz01
taking refuge in the loft
Get yourself a compound mitre saw from Lidl.
Riklet
procrastinación
I have a mitre box but will check this out. Is that for the skirting board joins?
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