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Advice needed for redesign

SallahrakhaSallahrakha Posts: 13
in Problem solving

Hi all,

Can anyone advise the best thing I could do. We have a garden that is Lowe than the inside floors of the house and outside we have a raised decked area that is rotting. .the idea we want to get rid of the decking but what can we do to get down to garden on a zero budget

Wanted ideally to make a paved area where the decking is.. .so using railway sleepers and Indian sandstone but was told I would need more foundations and costs lots

Next best option is rip out the decking  as when it's wet it's a nightmare too and we have young kids. ..
But if I rip it out I need to get down to the garden lol


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Posts

  • SallahrakhaSallahrakha Posts: 13

  • Loraine3Loraine3 Posts: 579
    Look on Gumtree or Freecycle, you may find slabs or hardcore.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    You may find some original steps near the door that have just been covered over by the decking. Would it be possible to take up one board to have a look first and see what is underneath?
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • SallahrakhaSallahrakha Posts: 13
    Lizze27 that's a great idea, I will try to do that.. In regards to slabs etc... Again I can get hold of second hand stuff I'm sure... But I don't know what I would need or what's best to do 
  • Loraine3Loraine3 Posts: 579
    Looks like a newer extension which may have been decked from when it was built, you may be lucky and find steps and paving underneath. Decking should be screwed down, just lift a couple of boards and see what you have.
    The bungalow I am in had a carport which had been laid with decking boards; on lifting there was a complete set of slabs underneath.
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    I agree with the others,see what you have underneath first.
    If you have a decent slabbed area you might only need a set of steps down from the house.
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • SallahrakhaSallahrakha Posts: 13
    OK so. I'm. Getting someone to collect the decking for free.. Giving away the decking lol

    Whats the best way to get rid of all the dirt, cheapest way 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    First thing, get a stiff broom and sweep off as much as you can. The easiest way to clean it would be to borrow or hire a pressure washer, but check first that the mortar between the slabs is sound, or there will be bits coming out and that will loosen the paving. If you do use a pressure washer make sure you wear goggles , (ear defenders if you can)and old clothes (not shorts !) as muck and bits go everywhere, and make sure you protect the patio doors (we use large bits of thick cardboard).  It's a very satisfying job when the original colour of the slabs is revealed! 
    Alternatively you can buy stuff at the DIY place that you put on yourself and brush off. It's obviously harder work, but it may work out cheaper (and much less noisy). It depends on your budget and the area you have to cover.
  • SallahrakhaSallahrakha Posts: 13
    I mean we have a big pile of mud underneath the decking they will need removing or flattening 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Oh, l see , sorry 😊! I thought you meant there were old paving slabs underneath it ! How deep is this mud ?
    Maybe a photo of it if you can might help me and others come up with a cunning plan....
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