Useful Advice From Poor Projects
These photographs clearly illustrate the various comments and recommendations made
elsewhere in this book, as being examples of bad practice. None of these projects were
cheap/budget schemes, all constructed by landscape contractors in the UK, and subject to
Court’s Claims.
Useless Practice Number One
The contractor neglected to install a geotextile membrane under the sub-base, which
substantially sank into the soft soil, causing a void under the paved patio. The slabs started to
settle and loosen, with the result that they all de-bonded. The hunting knife presents a graphic
illustration of the poor-quality workmanship.
Useless Practice Number Two
Spot the defects. An illustration in how not to build a garden. The circular artificial grass lawn
was an irregular ovoid, walling constructed using block paving, ‘mortared’ using a brush-in
jointing compound, the sandstone slabs were never bonded in the first place, and were nearly
all loose, and the segmented slips were trip hazards.
Useless Practice Number Three
Here, the contractor has chosen to use 100mm 2 wooden pegs covered with sawn timber slats
to act as a riser for the step. (There are several more in the garden). Within a very short time,
the timber became worn, slippery and dangerous. Definitely not recommended!
Useless Practice Number Four
Virtually every sandstone slab on the project was loose, with no slurry bridge bond, voids in
the (very deep) laying bed. If the design called for cladding as risers to the steps, there was no
room for an overhang/drip groove. Note the upper slab has sunken in its bed.
Useless Practice Number Five
This combination of sandstone paving and cobbles formed the main pathway into the rear
garden of this bungalow in London. As stated, all of these projects were not cheap budget
contracts. In fact, this particular scheme was very expensive for the amount of works included.
Useless Practice Number Six
Hollow concrete blocks formed the retaining wall, filled with hard core and soil, with no
reinforcing bars set into the concrete foundations. The paving was laid on MOT Type 1 and
not sufficiently compacted, with the result that the bulk of the area settled, causing de-bonding
of the slabs. Note the reflective staining indicating voids in the laying beds.
Useless Practice Number Seven
Where to begin commenting on this project? Reflective staining (even when wet) indicates
voids in the laying bed. No slurry to the backs of the paving, hence most had de-bonded.
Paving slabs and block paving were laid in different parallels. Block paving laid tightly under
the wooden door sill.
Useless Practice Number Eight
Another collection of errors. Sandstone paving, treated with hydrochloric acid (mortar
remover) causing rust stains everywhere. Cladding installed using soft sand and cement. Step
risers not equidistant. Steps such as these require 900mm high handrails to both sides of the
flight (which should have been built into the feature ideally) Lack of forward planning…
Useless Practice Number Nine
Porcelain paving project, laid over soft sand instead of sharp sand. Very weak mix, no bridge
bonding slurry used under the slabs. Very weak mix laying mortar bed, 75mm deep, resulting
in a weak base with no integrity in the process.
Useless Practice Number Ten
Porcelain paving laid without any bridge bonding slurry, weak soft sand and cement laying
bed with less than 40% contact with the slab. Very tight joints, preventing jointing compound
from filling the gap. Pointing joint gap should be 5 -6mm.
Useless Practice Number Eleven
Top quality project pricewise. Steps far too high – should be maximum 20cm to meet Building
Regulations. Paving slab should overhang the riser to allow for a drip groove to be cut into the
underside. Sandstone slabs laid at uneven levels.
Useless Practice Number Twelve
Rendering applied to the walls before fixing treads has resulted in a very poor finish. The
rendering has been painted with at least one full coat, and any attempt to infill/repair the
underside of the slabs will be noticed. No drip grooves under the front edge of the treads.
