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Do I need permission to concrete my front garden?

Patio Driveway Planning Permission Under the new regulations, homeowners wishing to pave a front garden with a hardstanding of more than five square metres will require planning permission if they will not be using a permeable material.

drawingandplanning.com - Do I need Planning Permission for Patio and Driveway

Can you fit a couch in a 10x10 storage unit?

A 10x10 unit is a good size for the stuff found in two bedrooms, an entire family room or a modest one- or two-bedroom apartment. A few large...

Last updated Aug 19, 2020

How thick of a slab do you need for a shed?

The best concrete thickness for a shed tends to be 4 inches which is the standard size used for most residential concrete patios, walkways and...

Last updated Jul 11, 2020

Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

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Problems with Patios and Driveway

In 2007 serious floods struck the UK. This resulted in loss of life, disruption of peoples lives and caused damage estimated at about £3bn. In many cases the flooding happened because drains could not cope with the amount of rain water flowing to them. The effects of climate change mean that this kind of heavy rainfall event and subsequent flooding may occur more often in the future. The drains in most urban areas were built many years ago and were not designed to copewith increased rainfall. Paving front gardens further adds to the problem. Although paving over one or two gardens may not seem to make a difference, the combined effect of lots ofpeople in a street or area doing this can increase the risk of flooding. The harm caused by paving gardens is not limited to just flooding. Hard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt collect pollution (oil, petrol, brake dust etc) that is washed off in to the drains. Many drains carry rainwater directly to streams or rivers where the pollution damages wildlife and the wider environment. In older areas the rainwater may go into the foul water sewer which normally takes household waste from bathrooms and kitchens to the sewage treatment works. These overflow into streams and rivers in heavy rainfall. As more water runs into foul sewers from paved areas there are more frequent overflows, passing untreated sewage into watercourses. Replacing grass and plant beds with concrete and asphalt surfaces means that water does not soak into the ground. This reduces the amount that reaches our natural underground aquifers. Some water that soaks into the ground will evaporate back into the air, causing acooling effect around the house. This is lost if the garden is covered with hard impermeable surfaces and can cause local temperatures to rise often referred to as the urban heat island effect.

Can I put a plastic shed on paving slabs?

It's possible, yes, to put a shed on a base constructed from paving slabs. The shed should sit on top of pressure treated bearers to allow airflow...

Last updated Apr 5, 2020

How much does it cost to create a studio?

It costs anywhere from $30,000 to several million dollars to build a professional recording studio. A small, bare-bones studio with limited...

Last updated Nov 7, 2021

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

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Can you bury electric wire in PVC pipe?

Run electrical cable in PVC conduit at least 12 inches deep in the ground. The easiest way to protect outdoor electrical wiring from damage is by burying it 12-in. underground in PVC conduit.

familyhandyman.com - Running Underground Cable - Wiring - The Family Handyman

Running electric power to a garage or garden pond? Learn about code requirements, trench depth options, conduit material and types of electrical wire.

Yes, You Can Run Electrical Service Out Into Your Yard

Electrifying a detached garage, tool shed or garden pond is a DIY project that homeowners can absolutely tackle themselves. You just need the right information and guidance. The National Electrical Code contains basic provisions for allowable wiring methods and materials, the required burial depth of the wiring and other safety considerations to ensure the underground wiring provides safe and reliable service for many years. There are four common options for running underground electrical wiring through your yard. Your choice primarily depends on the type of soil you have. If it’s granular and easy to dig, you can save money on electrical materials by digging deep; you may not need to install metal or plastic conduit to protect the buried wiring from physical damage. On the other hand, if the soil is rocky or heavy clay, or you encounter lots of tree roots, you can keep your digging to a minimum and protect the buried wiring in metal or plastic conduit. Better yet, walk-behind trenching machines that dig down to 24 inches are readily available for rent at many hardware stores, home centers and equipment rental outlets. You can rent a trencher for half a day for less than $100, and about $150 for a full day. Renting a walk-behind cable plow machine is another option.