YouTube Videos
As Expert Witnesses, Gareth and I are obliged to conduct research into claims made by all
concerned when stating they were merely following guidance and instruction as seen on
YouTube videos, by watching them ourselves once a dispute claim has arisen. One of the first
things to remember is that many of them are not produced in the UK, but are mainly from
the United States or Australia, when weather conditions and products are different from those
found here and the advice is generally unsuited to these shores.
The striking thing about so many of these videos is the fact that they are mainly seventy
percent correct and thirty percent incorrect, managing to miss out vital elements of their
advice. Concentrating on showing the cosmetic side of works – laying paving for example
– that pick up the project towards the final stages, omitting the essential preparation works
including excavations and ensuring correct levels, falls and drainage, all of which may not be
glamorous, and yet are the most important part of any job.
Those produced for the UK marketplace and made by manufacturers and suppliers of product
are usually high quality, both in presentation and content, offering sound advice from start to
finish (even if they are seen working in ideal conditions) and are generally to be applauded for
their accuracy and informative value.
Unfortunately, there are so many others that are made by ‘Influencers’ who seem to
have garnered a niche market in ‘Training’ videos aimed at those who are new to the
landscaping industry, yet by ignoring the crucial hard work and boring parts of building
a garden, do a great disservice to their followers by misleading them into thinking
that everything is all about the ‘quick fix’ cosmetic part, laying a slab using suspect
techniques with inappropriate products (usually promoting items that have been provided
to them free by the supplier) with a flourish to show how easy it all it is, and how clever
they are!
Even worse is the advice offered to novices who listen to those Influencers who show how to
cut corners to save time and effort. Examples include the following (genuine) YouTube videos
shown in the UK.
When it is too cold to mix mortar as the sand pile is frozen, don’t worry. Simply light a bonfire
with old pallets near to the pile and melt the ice. Place some embers in the cement mixer barrel
to warm it up before starting mixing. Never mind that the current temperature is less than
three degrees – it will warm up by mid-day.
Don’t waste money on buying plasticisers when mixing mortar. Use washing-up
liquid instead. If you run out, ask the customer if you can borrow some from them.
(Never mind that the results will be very weak mortar, the liquid makes it much easier
to use.)
When extending an existing patio, leave the old foundations in place. Simply dig out next
to the old site and add new scalpings to form the foundation. No geotextile membrane
(waste of money). Pave over the new scalpings and old foundation. No need to worry, it will
be OK.
Old paving still in place? Is it low enough to allow new slabs on top? That’s OK, we can use
the old slabs as our foundations. After all, they have been there for years. Saves a lot of time
and effort. Crack on laying the new slabs.
So many examples, causing so many problems for those new to the landscaping industry.
Always check the country of origin of the videos. Check to see whether they have been
produced by manufacturers (who will stand by their advice) or by an ‘Influencer’, more
interested in gaining ‘Followers’ and ‘Likes’ with little or no qualifications in training or
mentoring, just a wish to be famous.
YouTube can be an amazing resource of educational videos. It can also offer a great
number of problems for the unwary viewer.
