Photo: Curtis Adams

Do I need permission to flag my 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 camp in 20 mph winds?

Check the weather forecast to make sure there are no strong low pressure systems affecting the region of the campground when you plan to tent camp...

Last updated Jan 13, 2021

Can I use a chainsaw to split wood?

Yes, you can use a chainsaw to split firewood. An 18-inch chainsaw is ideal for all your firewood cutting needs. The size depends on how large or...

Last updated Mar 17, 2021

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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.

Do I need a Vapour barrier in my shed?

If you don't heat your shed or use air-conditioning then you don't need a vapour barrier. Otherwise, it'll just cause condensation and damp. If...

Last updated Feb 17, 2020

How do you insulate a cabin floor and keep it rodent free?

Cover your insulation with 1/4 “hardware cloth” also called #welded wire.” The size of metal screen should be small enough to keep out nuisance...

Last updated Jun 29, 2020

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How big of a shed do I need for a push mower?

The right size shed for the job is a 10 foot by 16 foot option. With those dimensions, you have enough room to comfortably house a large mower and...

Last updated May 19, 2021

Will a wheelchair fit through a 30 inch door?

Most standard wheelchair sizes range from 25in-36in wide, and power wheelchairs start at 23in from tire to tire. It is recommended by the ADA that...

Last updated Nov 6, 2021

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What can you put on wood to make it waterproof?

Polyurethane, varnish, and lacquer are tried-and-true sealants with excellent waterproofing properties. They're either brushed or sprayed onto...

Last updated Jul 2, 2018

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Will 12 gauge steel rust?

The 12 GA is 30% thicker and stronger. The 12 GA has a 20 year rust warrantee. It is HIGHLY recommended if you are in an area that gets heavy snow...

Last updated Feb 19, 2018