One of our large projects in Ashtead, Surrey (Update complete)

 This was a large project involving a front and back makeover in Ashtead, Surrey.

There was a considerable issue with this garden, there was water everywhere.  Some serious drainage was needed.

Before anything could be done, the water needed to be pumped out.

Once the water was finally gone, it was time to break up that old concrete.

Pea gravel being delivered for the drainage.

Land drainage going in.

One of the reasons for the water issue, Clay.  200 ton out to front.  

The existing drainage, just wasn't working, this is what we found.

Soak away's just do not work with Clay.

We used leanmix concrete as base for patio.

Start of drainage from back garden.

The water was a constant battle, standing water in our drainage channel.

Water gone again and new drains fitted.

Leanmix base for patio.

Breaking out to front

That's the Destruction over with for now, time for some Construction.  This time we are starting on the patio for which we are using York stone, another natural stone supplied by London Stone.

You know the drill by now, Bands going in first.

 

A rare sight indeed, Cookie with a brush in his hand!  Got to keep the work area as clean as we can.

Straight, uniform lines are boring, so we use coarse random York sawn six sides.

The more stone that is laid, the more you get to appreciate the beauty of York Stone.

View from above, the topsoil was camera shy so hid under the tarpaulin.

Setting out and cutting for the intricate curve.

2 rows of Bands going in adds definition to that curve.

We like the curves so much, we thought we'd add some more.  The cut line is marked then cut is made using a wet saw to supress the dust created by cutting.
 

Preparation required for step, for this we will be using Bullnose treads.

Now onto the side path.  Note the use of leanmix concrete as ground too wet due to very high water table.

Slot drain to fence line for that much needed drainage.

Clean as we go.

Change of slope on side path.

Next change.

 Now onto the path towards the top of garden.

Why have a boring straight pathway when you can have a serpentine leading to top circle?

Feature circle was cut especially for us by London Stone.

 

Curves marked out ready to be cut using wet saw method.

Bands added to finish off nicely.

Channel for patio drainage

Land drain and pea gravel as before.

Our pointing of choice when using high end stone such as this.

Mixing and placing.

Despite it's messy appearance on application you are left with a nice clean finish with no staining.

We've wet the stone so that the natural tones and beauty show up for the camera.

We are redoing the pond making it bigger and deeper but most importantly child safe.

Child safe being fitted.

Top soil overcame its shyness ready to be put to use.

Finished off with Rolawn turf.

Onto the final leg, the front garden.  This involved another complete makeover, this time using granite setts laid in "bogun" pattern, a new lawn and a large rain harvester.

Ground is prepped.

No trees were harmed in this process.

As per the back and side we had to use leanmix concrete as a sub base due to the clay being so moist and wet weather.

Hole for rain harvesting

4 ton of pea gravel and geotextile was used.

Reclaimed setts arrived from Arthur Burns & Son reclamation yard.

Setts being laid on 4/1 sharp sand cement.

All ready for the pattern work.

My own design for profiles to do bogun pattern that is over 100 years old.

Bit of nostalgia, photograph taken in Newcastle in early 1900's.

First course setting out.

Top half cut in.

Setts being given a drink, Cookie crew can only look on longingly.

Cleaning off for the night ready to start again next day.

Wooden boards provide temporary pathways for residents.

Bands to lawn.

Getting there now.

ACO drain across the front covered with cast iron grate.

 Pointing in progress using usual 4/1 sharp sand cement slurry mix.

 Pergo cleaning machine supplied by Steintec, superb machine, very impressed.

Cleaning off.

Ha ha, in your dreams Cookie!

Front garden completed with Rolawn medallion turf again.  There is a 1m x 1m recessed lid specifically for turf servicing rain harvester.

We are hoping to be in receipt of some aerial photographs taken by drone from the customer, will update as soon as we do.

If you would like to contact Cookie to discuss this or any of our work you can find him on his mobile: 07968 582231, on twitter, via the website or via email.