How To Set Out Levels/String Lines When Laying A Patio
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- This video shows you how to set out your string lines for levels when laying a patio, in this case a rivened Indian stone patio. This will ensure you get the correct falls and levels when laying the patio.
Love your attitude. Thanks for the demonstration and explanations.
thanks very much for uploading
This is a brilliant video. Even as a DIY'er I fully understand it. No qualms from me. Love the no-nonsense Northern accent too. Thanks for posting. 👍
Thank you pal
Brilliant! This is what I’ve been looking for,crystal clear! You should run the country fella😂
Top video Gareth it’s going to help my garden project out loads this
Magic you've made life so much easier
This is the video I have been looking for, no bull, thanks 👍
Thanks. Very useful and well explained
Fantastic mate thank you. Nice to see some British skill happy to clearly explain and demo their craft. Top bloke
Thanks for taking the time to explain. Very helpful for us DIYers. All the best guys
Best video yet! Lots of detail broken down into simple steps! Keep up the good work!
Thank you really appreciate it
Thanks for making this video and the clear explanation. Confirmed how to use datums and the maths involved. Really useful.
Great video I enjoyed the technical details.
Great video, been looking for info on falls away from the house. Thanks 👍🏼
Fantastic video. So helpful.
Thank god for this video. Really helped me out getting the levels right. Most videos skim over this and assume you've already done the levelling etc. Awesome, thanks
Nice video, very clear yo understand 👍
Thank you. An informative video without the bloody background music.
Excellent video. Very precise
Love this, although I may have missed, how did you know where 52.5mm depth was down at the other end?
So if you make you string line level to start, calculate how much fall you need for the distance, measure how far you need to drop the string line at the far end to make the slope then pull the sting line down to that new mark.
@@charg1nmalaz0r51 ah thanks a lot! 👌
Thank you for this video. If you've measured 3 feet along the top and 4 feet along the wall and made sure the hypotenuse is 5 feet (Pythagoras theory) - Is it just proving the wall is 90 degrees to the rear of the house? How does that prove the string from the house is 90 degrees?
I'm not sure why it was done this way either. Unless it was just a demonstration on how to create a square with no relevance to the stringline set up.
I would have thought you'd measure 3 foot from the corner of the house inwards, measure 5 foot with a tape from that point and adjust the stringline until 4 foot of the stringline meets the tape.
I’ve explained on other threads mate
He established his 4 foot baseline against the wall which is square. You would just measure from the string line to the baseline at intervals and ensure the distance for each of the intervals is the same, which will mean the string line is perpendicular to the house.
From the corner of the house to the wall where he marked 4 feet , and from that mark he has on that wall , to that mark that is beside the corner house which is 5 feet , means that wall is square to the mark he has beside the corner house , now you just measure from that wall to string line , same measurement mean the string line is parallel to that point and obviously squared .
nice man , you can also take a plastic or metal carpenter square and use it to adjust the string line , not as accurate but saves a lot of time .
Great vid, thanks for the detail
This is amazingly helpful, thank you!!
This has helped! Thank you 👍🏼
Fantastic video, cheers 👍
Really well explained
Thanks you pal
Silly question, if you have got a fall in your compacted hardcore level do you not have to dig deeper at the far end of the patio than just a standard 150mm deep across the whole first dig? I.e have a fall in your initial dig.
Yes that’s correct
Hi. Great video. I'm laying riven indian sandstone patio and have read it needs to be 1 in 60 fall. On my 6m patio that's 10mm.im running towards house and using aco channel drains. I've set the fall lines and it seems very steep. Can I get away with 1 in 80 which will reduce the total fall by 25mm? Will it drain off water OK with the riven stone at 1 in 80.thanks
1-80 fall fir rivened sandstone
Very well done there, thank you
Sorting out the falls in my garden has literally stopped me progressing this work until I stumbled on this video. I can do with some help please...
Why did you choose a 80 to 1 fall? Is there situations you would use a different ratio or is that what’s always used for the drop?
Hi Gareth, what do you use as datum pegs? Good clear explanation btw, thanks.
Slate lathe or steel pins mate
Hi Gareth great video. I'm wanting to do sleeper edging for my patio, I'm creating the border first then filling my base with MOT. What's the best way to secure my sleepers down before doing the rest ? Do I just lay them on a bed of cement ?
Hi again Gareth. Can I use timber batten as datum pegs? Or should I use something that won't rot?
Yes mate absolutely
Good video. Did you use any laser levels or was this all done by levels & string line?
Great tips mate
Good video! We want to change the patio slabs in our garden as the ones from when we moved in are horrible.
We also want to extend the patio from it's current size. In this situation what would you recommend is done regarding the sub base & mortar. Should we remove the whole lot and start again or try and add/level the sub-base and mortar where the additional tiles will be so it matches the rest? Thanks
Aled Gravelle i would lift all the paving slabs, examine old sub base to see if it MOT type 1 or a recycled equivalent and a minimum of a 100mm depth. If it’s not correct depth I’d reduce dig and re stone up and compact. Never run with an old sub base if it isn’t to spec which includes being 150nm below DPC
Great video, quick question. I'm assuming you laid your datum pegs before adding sub-base. When compacting, do you just avoid running the whacker plate over the pegs to ensure that they aren't pushed down too far?
Paul Barker yes mate avoid until you get your compaction to correct depth. I’d then knock the pegs down once you are at desired level. Always worth noting .... Measure twice cut once rule .... Therefore double check levels
Hi Gareth. Great job you doing mate. I see your responding to a lot of questions on the Facebook page "Patios and drives". Can I ask were you got those metal pins that you are running your string lines on? I can't seem to find anything like that lol
Hi Larry
Im not sure to be honest .... I bought them years ago and now I’m not landscaping anymore I can’t remember to be honest. I’ll try and see if I can remember the website for you.
@@GKWilsonGardens Okay thanks mate. Not to worry too much, I may end up using just wooden pegs. Cheers
Found em www.hall-fast.com/prosolvetm-road-pins?gclid=CjwKCAjwtpGGBhBJEiwAyRZX2h2SDLY8l3-hgDZ9lvCA-fS_a_PDtz8227_AocjTJudyA0dsswDvOBoCEzYQAvD_BwE
I am just at the point of setting my strings out on a new patio at home. Checked the pins teccomended and for diy low future usage, they are too expensive. I am going to use instead some old left over 12mm steel re-bar cut to 400mm lengths. Can put a point on one end with my angle grinder.
Brilliantly explained top lad
Hi there Gareth. Love your work on Instagram mate. I'm setting out to lay a patio soon. However I'm kinda stuck on falls. Do you establish your fall after mot type 1 or during the digging phase? If its the latter, does it mean I just have to dig out more muck out at the bottom of the patio when setting out? Thanks
Thank you Larry ... Your MOT needs to run at the same falls as your paving so I’d dig out more if required
@@GKWilsonGardens Thank you mate!
So how did you measure the fall? What did you use for reference? I mean you are doing a video, and you didn’t show that bit.
All good but how do you know that brick wall by the fence is straight when doing the 3-4-5 rule?
Measure the string line to the wall in several places and it should be the same measurement from the wall to the stringline
Hello mate - great video but have a question.
You are measuring the datum pegs in 1 meter intervals and making sure they are ‘level’ BUT that won’t take account of the 55mm fall away from the house will it? You’ll end up with a totally level sub base. How do you make sure you have the fall correct?
Dane Skinner Fully take on board what you are saying and possibly didn’t word that part correctly.
We would use a level on the string line coming from the house where we have a second string line with a touching bubble fall. At the end of the patio we would set datums measuring 55mm off a level string line. We would then line the datums up and knock the datums down accordingly to the fall of the string line. I’ll do a further video doing this with the laser level and the string line way and explain more accurately. Thank you for flagging this
Gareth Wilson thanks a lot. I’ll look out for the vid. You’ve inspired me to crack on with my patio - slabs and type 1 on the way this weekend. Thank you 😊
Hi I'm not a builder or ground worker but I have just set up my own lawn care business. On the string lines what knots do you use please when marking out the lines? In addition I'd be lining out metre squares for sowing new lawns as some spaces are too small for spreaders etc. Thanks.
Can you slope the patio towards the house if there is a gutter drain at the very end on left hand side looking towards the house? Thanks
I was about to ask that very question too, hope they answer.
you can slope the paving towards the house if you put in an aco drainage channel or decent gravel strip along the wall of the house to catch and drain the water away so as it doesn't sit against the house
Nice video, but overlooks why you needed to measure a triangle, and what is mot? It would have been nice if you showed which pegs you used and how you use them
Mot is the aggregate sub base that’s compacted
Might be a silly question but is it possible to have a fall in in both direction eg front fall to back and left falling to right. TIA
Yes it pal... Cross fall it’s called
@@GKWilsonGardens is it alot my difficult to do it that way though especially if its my first time
I think I’d stick to a one way fall. It’s only really on commercial projects you will need a 2 way fall
Come on Gareth, more videos pls
Nigel Davis anything in particular you’d like sir?
Good video. How do you work out the end of the patio is 52.5mm lower than at the house? How would you measure it if the ground is not level? Also how do you ensure the patio is straight if the house is off at an angle compared to the garden?
I think you measure level across from your starting point (at the house), mark it at level, then measure down from that level to the required drop, mark up and move string down to the right point. Happy to be corrected though (I am researching this for my own patio project too).
Most accurate way is a laser or zip level. But a string line and a level will work too.
So put the end of the level at finished floor level and centre the bubble to level, using a string line run the string line level just underneath touching the level so basically the string is level. Then knock a datum peg in where the patio ends, mark where the string line touches the datum (level) then work out your fall in mm and knock the peg down accordingly.
How high the string line should be from the ground.
If the wall isn't square with the house then you won't get your accurate 3, 4, 5. But if it works for you then keep up the good work 👍🏻
That’s great and all but how do you dig around the level lines with machines?
YungassPadawan not quite with you?
Hi, do you leave the datum pegs in the ground, or do you take them out before laying the mortar mix ontop?
Also, i haven't put any hardcore/MOT down, my plan is to use a 2inch dry mix (3 or 4:1, sharp sand:cement) ontop of compacted soil (seems study enough, I cant dig my heel into it). I know its not a professional job and may not last 20 years. But do you think this will be ok for at least 5 - 10 years?
I’d always use a sub base and can’t recommend you do things like you are proposing to. I could possibly say how long it would last. My advice is go the extra mile and lay a sub base
Newbie Q here, is that a touching bubble fall on a 4ft level, 6ft, or does it not matter as long as you use the same level throughout?
Paul Brewerton touching bubble/line is the same on all levels however different makes of levels will have differant tolerances. So it’s important in my view to use level sets by the same brand and calibrate them before each job and at regular intervals. So a standard set of levels have a 600mm, 1200mm and 1800mm, put them on top of each other vertically and move the levels up and down slowly and look to see that all the bubbles move equally then lay on an even surface and check to see that all the bubbles are in the same position, any bubbles out of sync on a particular level indicates that, that particular level or levels are not correct. In some cases you may need to check against another set of levels. I also turn them upside down and re check again, the tops of levels sometimes get misused by being tapped with mauls to level pavers which isn’t good for the level and bad practise. Also check straightness of levels agains a flat surface.
It’s important to use all the levels in your set too which I’ll go into in a later video. With riven paving I’ll sometimes take 3 readings if I’m in any doubt if falls are correct with 600mm sq and above size pavers (left side, middle and right side) also cross fall (side to side) too.
I always start off using 600mm level and build up to a 1800mm the more rows I lay . I’ll also use the 600mm level on individual pavers from time to time to make sure we are spot on.
A lot of porcelain can have bows on the surface and dips in the corners so this present other skills to master.
@@GKWilsonGardens Hey, kids: THIS is how to answer a question.
Intelligent chap
Wha's to say your garden wall is square to your house string line? You should have used the 3-4-5 method to string your perpendicular line (in shot running away from the house), ideally using as many multiples of 3, 4 & 5 as you have room for, for accuracy.
How did he know to run at 1:80 fall? If anyone can answer that would be great
1:60 for smooth stone and 1:80 for rough uneven stone.
What does he mean by "rivens".
Why did you do your triangle so small, if you're out 2mm on a meter that will be 2mm on every meter, that'll add up over the full length
What did you actually square, the garden wall? certainly not the line, how do you know that's straight all the way, should have used a builders square off the house line ( or Pythagoras 3:4:5). I don't see how you got a square of the procedure you've shown.
Mike James I said in the video I’d squared that string line you mention up to the house pal. I then secondly squared the wall up to the house to show as an example. Thanks
goodcat1982 A builders square is actually a guide and nowhere near as accurate as 3/4/5 as you can’t go wrong with it. We learned the inaccuracies of builders triangles at RHS Hampton court once and it took some sorting out and lots of down time.
Regarding the wall I double checked this as I would do a fence due to the fact that builders virtually never square fences or walls to the house and more often than not run out leaving a wedge shaped gap. If this was the case I’d over size the paving slabs and cut to profile of the wall so we don’t have tiny cuts or a v shaped gravel strip etc. Hope that makes sense as it’s hard to explain by text
I use the 3, 4, 5 squaring method...but I muliply it by 3...so I have a 9'x 12'x 15 or 12'x16x20' is way more accurate...
You said 50mm he gave it a tap and measured 55mm then said I'll give it another tap which would take it to nearly 60mm dear
its 50mm below the level its going down not up ;)
I am also confused by this, if the distance between the level and the peg is 55mm then surely by hitting the beg again will only increase this distance. Could you clarify this please? Thanks
@@VICTORRABBIT123 The level is the line - The spike in the ground is going down below the level so say they start at 100mm on the tape measure. They then knock the spike into the ground until it measure 50mm below the line.
Y-it-Earp 100mm being what measurement? The distance between the level and the peg? That’s what it looks like they’re measuring right?
@@VICTORRABBIT123 correct there measuring between the peg and the level...so your right by hitting the peg it increases the gap he needed 50mm he hit it which gave him 55mm then hit it again which would of put it even further out so your correct he actually needed to raise the peg not knock down further 👍I'm a bricklayer of many yrs so deal with levels everyday of my life.
Screw this, my head hurts lol
Say yoy should be 100m below the damp course alway against the house wall put in French drains or aquad drains this will stop any dampness 👍
whats MOT
MOT is 40mm limestone to dust but is basically the foundation your patio sits on
I’m not understanding what the 3-4-5 method gave you, or I guess what the end result of it is telling you…cheers
Its based on Pythagoras theorem. Basically how to calculate whether you have a right angle or not
who else was thinking of dropping a quarter in there
Just to be a prick am gonna say it. Surely at the pont 4.25 or so into the video when u measure down to the datum peg and your man says 55, and you tap it down, wouldn't that make the 55 number even higher. Maybe he meant to say 45, maybe when you remeasured it was more and you just carried it on for the purposes of the video and when and sorted it later, maybe I've misinterpreted the situation completely. I would say I don't care, but I've cared enough to write this long winded comment on a year old video, so maybe I do care a little. Good wee tutorial overall btw
Trying to lay some slabs for my back graden ..argh! even more confused now 😐 after watching your video, you seem to know what you're talking about but it's all gibberish to me.. #help
CurlsOfaJamaicanJourno perhaps a video call would help message me if so
Reading the comments, I would have to agree that showing the 3:4:5 method and not showing it on the string lines could be very confusing for beginners who, I am assuming, you are trying to help. Also, you seem to be rather aggressive towards any form of criticism, that is not a very good trait for an educator especially when the critics are correct. But then again to each his own and I wish you well.
Thank you John and I take on board what you say. Most people have found the video helpful and have been positive however my personal feeling are some comments are quite rude, condescending and not polite in thier approach. Perhaps a lesson for the future is is not to enagage with such people. Thank you I’ve found your message to be a good leveller and constructive.
What is mot?
Bunch of crushed rock and bricks and recycled road crap. Its just rubble. The bags you will get in a shop will be called MOT subbase. Type 1 is the type you usually get for this sort of job which is the size of the rubble. Its just a layor of rubble you compact down to stop the pavers sinking into the ground over time because its nice and solid when compacted. Then you wack some mortar on top and squish your paver onto it while making it level with the other pavers and the slope you calculated
Paving should always fall 2 ways! Hahaha
Buttworth TV check on Paving Expert pal and come back to me...... Touching bubblle fall one way and between 1-60 and 1-80’the other depending on the type of paving laid 👌👍..... Let me know if you struggle to find the link
Brickies don't always get it right🤣😂
Typo. Meant 100mm
paving should always fall two ways...absolute bollocks
thanxx ok old chap ..... Go on Tony McCormacks website ..... Paving Expert ..... Then when you’ve read up and expanded your limited knowledge come back to me please and tell me I’m wrong.
Flat paving 1-60 fall and a touching bubble fall the opposite way.
Riven paving a minimum of 1-80 fall and touching bubble the opposite way.
Thanks and I await your education when you’ve read up on Tony’s website 👌
so you learned all you know from Tony lol have you not got any actual qualifications?? how can you have a cross fall on a domestic when you have a fall of 1-60 using a rectangular paving unit?? it just doesn't make sense?? why would you even need a cross fall??
@@GKWilsonGardens you my friend....are talking utter bullshit
laughable. touching bubble fall the other way that equates to a 1-60 fall right? so what happens on a 7 mtr run when you have started paving 150mm below DPC and you end up with a total drop of 116mm on the end of the paving??do you dig this out lol
So you’ve not bothered to read up then because you’ll find I’m right. If you can’t fall a patio yourself 2 ways then you’re not very good are you?
No I learned from college and 32 years experience, 7 RHS gold medals in 7 years including a Gold medal at RHS Chelsea, 7 Best In Show awards, 3 People’s Choice Awards, 1 Director Generals Best Trade Stsnd Award at RHS Chelsea and a Best Construction award. Member of the APL, product advisor to Bradstone and Paving Stones Direct, member of the PGCA and institute of horticulture..... Have a lovely evening and please feel free to brush up on your knowledge at your leisure. Lessons in paving I’ll charge you at a discounted rate of £500 plus vat a day .... I’ll soon have you up to speed old chap.