If you’re going to build a lasting structure, you’ll need to start from the right foundations. This applies whether you’re building a cathedral, a football stadium, or a garden shed.
For simple outdoor projects, like patios, pathways, and greenhouses, it’s easy to overlook the importance of foundations. But getting this stage right can often spell the difference between a structure that lasts for decades, and one that begins to sag after just a few weeks.
But exactly how do you go about building the right foundations for your project?
Assess Your Site and Plan the Layout
To begin with, you’ll want a good idea of what you’re working with. Look at the existing site, and determine whether there’s a slope, and how drainage is going to work. From there, you can determine where the foundations are going to sit, and how much excavation will be necessary to bring them to the desired level.
Choosing the Right Materials for the Foundation
Next, you’ll need to pick out the appropriate materials. Your choice will tend to depend on the type of soil you’re building on, and your budget. Clay-rich soil tends to be prone to swelling and shrinking, while sandy soil can shift under weight.
Builder’s sand is commonly used to create a stable base for patio slabs and paving. It will sit level, while providing suitable drainage. You might also look at quality gravel (which will allow for even faster drainage) and cement (which is long-lasting, though prone to water damage).
Preparing the Ground: Excavation and Leveling
Getting the ground prepared often means excavating the soil to the required depth. It might be that there’s debris, including tree roots, to clear away before the foundations can be laid. Doing this work is essential if you want to avoid subsidence later on. In most cases, it should be done with the aid of a mechanical digger.
Laying the Foundation: Compaction and Layering
A strong foundation is often built up in layers. In the case of a simple garden structure, like a patio, the bottommost layer tends to be compacted gravel. This can then be topped up with builder’s sand, which will fill in the gaps and create a perfectly level surface for paving.
If the materials are not adequately compacted, then they’ll tend to sink beneath the weight of the materials on top – which can cause things to look a little crooked as time goes by.
