Concrete Path Needs Replacing

[BGD]

We recently moved into our house. It has a couple of damp issues.

One reason seems to be that the path along the side of the house was cheaply replaced some time back by covering the path that was there previously. Now it runs at a higher level alongside four air bricks that run along the edge, so when it rains water gets access to the underside of the house.

The path needs removing and relaying at a lower level and the air bricks also need clearing out.

I'm strongly considering attempting this myself for budget reasons. Taking a pickaxe / wrecking bar / demolition hammer seems straightforward enough.

For a non-experienced DIY person, is it foolhardy to do the re-lay? I've had a look at a few places online, including here. I'd possibly get a delivery of pre-mixed cement due to the assumed volume required. The path is about 5 feet wide by 20 feet long and joins up with the cemented driveway, so one would be at a higher level than the other. What could go wrong, eh?

I guess I could do the destruction and removal and get a quote for the relay. I know concrete not everyone's favourite.

Any advice appreciated.

 

[r896neo]

defintely break it up yourself.

I wouldn't re-lay it without at least the help of someone who has worked with concrete at least once.

Its not difficult but even a lot of experienced people don't enjoy laying concrete floors paths or drives because if something goes wrong during, such as a shutter breaks loose or heavy rain shower it can go horribly wrong. You just don't get a second chance and always have the feeling of a ticking clock putting you under pressure.

I imagine i am not alone in always being relieved when its tamped, level and only needs floating.

 

[r896neo]

Also Cheap slabs may be almost as cost effective as concrete and you can definately lay them yourself.

Don't let me put you off the concrete though, I'm sure other members may have different feelings.

 

[Deluks]

WWW.pavingexpert.com ....all you need to know, you can easily DIY it, and I agree that slabs are the way. Concrete paths look tatty.

 

[BGD]

Many thanks for the advice above and the link to the website, will have a look and consider the help/slabs option too.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

If you are going for the DIY concrete option then couple of points you may want to consider. I wouldn't attempt to pour, level and tamp this by yourself, get at least one helper.

Secondly, if using readymix concrete i'd look for a supplier with a 'Volumetric' mixer vehicle. You should be able to work out the approx amount of concrete you need, but these machines mix as required and wastage is virtually nil. You dont want to find you are a few barrowloads short at the end!

 

[BGD]

Thank you Hugh.

I am also now wondering whether it might be easier... to do it with gravel and a few slabs, once the old path has been removed.

Will have a look here to see the right layer combination (sand, dry mix, gravel/slabs etc) and whether the more porous nature of gravel is not a good option along the edges of the house without some form of drainage.

 

[BGD]

Update: Well, I got a quote out of interest for somone to do this for me.

6 metres by 1 metre, remove old path and relay slabs on sand and cement. £900 for cheque. Ouch. So rather than playing with cement it seems advisable to do it myself with more of a dry mix and slabs..

 

[cotswoldbuilders]

Go with the slabs, it will look far better than concrete.
You will find it easier laying them on a wet full bed of sand/cement and tap them down to level with a rubber mallet.

Indian sandstone slabs are cheap now and come in different sizes, a builders pack might do it.