Home-Dzine Online October 2010

online

Home-Dzine It’s all about caring for and improving your home

October 2010

are you ready for summer?

Also in this issue ...

• Pool makeover • Patios and paths • One room - four looks • 3-in-1 bench • Engraved glass doors • Building rules and regulations

Make it

a word or two Ladies Night

Do it!

This issue is all about summer and spending more time in the garden. We look at how building regulations make adding a patio a complicated affair, and how you can design and create a no-plan garden room.

There is also a feature on re-lining a swimming pool without breaking the bank and with stunning results.

Plus plenty of DIY projects for you to try.

Enjoy!

Janice

Wednesday night is Ladies Night at DIY Divas in Randpark Ridge.

Join the DIY Divas for an evening of crafty DIY and start creating your own unique home decor.

Janice and Nancy show you new and affordable ways to update your home and provide you with tips, tricks and techniques to show you just how easy it is.

You will use a variety of hand and power tools at the workshops.

Home-Dzine Online is written and compiled by Janice Anderssen.

All projects in this issue, or any other issue, remain the property of Home-Dzine and Janice Anderssen, or the respective copyright holders, and may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission.

Image and content credits: meredith publishing - good homes - family handyman - sunset publishing - popular mechanic - house & home - georgia pacific - expert village - channel4 - pottery barn - flikr - nkba - resene - mitre10 - lowes and any others.

It’s about learning the tips, tricks and techniques so that you will be able to go home and tackle any project!

Where: Randpark Ridge Time: 06:00 - 20H00 Cost: R250 pp (incl refreshments & snacks)

CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW

one room looks

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Living day after day in the same room, with the same look, can become boring. Simply by changing and adding a few new accessories to a room can completely alter the look and feel of a space.

Take a look at this living room on the following pages to see how one room can be drastically revitalised with new soft furnishings and decor accessories.

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 Beige, while perhaps not the most exciting colour for a home on its own, provides the perfect backdrop for many other colours.

With walls painted in a light beige or cream, and large upholstered pieces in a light brown or taupe, you have the freedom to experiment with a wide range of colours to introduce a theme or mood to any room.

Introduce colours and textures, not only in fabrics but also with furniture and accessories.

In a rental home, discuss the possibility of painting stark white walls a soft shade of cream. Not only does the landlord get his or her house painted for free, but it allows you more scope for creating a room that is warm and inviting.

ABOVE: Brighten up a dull room with splashes of colour. A neutral backdrop of cream walls and furniture can be instantly brightened with almost any colour. In this room turquoise and teal were used as the main accent colour, with just a small amount of pink.

TOP LEFT: With beige walls and beige furniture, this living room doesn’t inspire. Brighten up beige and brown by introducing orange and pink. Add a rug to the floor to tie all the colours together. And voila, this room becomes a Moroccan retreat.

BOTTOM LEFT: Cream walls and a taupe sofa can be pretty boring, but by adding shades of green with tone on tone patters you can create a room that is calm and soothing. The pale orange accents and curtains bring out the warmth and beauty of the wood furniture.

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ď ś

Sitting

pretty

Add a comfortable bench to your dining table and you can seat more without taking up additional space.

For this project we made our bench from Meranti, but you can splurge on Oak* or Teak* for a more formal look.

If you have already attended a DIY Divas workshop, you will ďŹ nd this project easy to do, with only a few basic power tools. *Contact www.countrywoods.co.za for all your hardwood and exotic timber requirements.

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You will need:

[1] 20 x 500 x 1200mm laminated meranti [1] 20 x 100 x 1800mm meranti plank [2] 20 x 500 x 500mm laminated meranti [6] steel angle brackets Drill-Driver + assorted screw bits 12mm cut screws Ponal wood glue Orbital Sander plus 240-grit sanding pad Woodoc 10 interior sealer Woodoc steelwool Paintbrush

ď ś

A

B

C

C

Here’s how:

1. Have all pieces cut to size: [1] Top - 500 x 1200mm [2] Sides - 500 x 500mm [1] Support 100 x 1160mm* *Adjust the length of the support according to the thickness of the material used. We used 20mm meranti (20 x 2 = 40 1200 - 36 = 1160)

Your local Builders Warehouse will cut to size and edge all materials for you.

2. Sand all pieces before assembly.

3. Place top (A) facedown on a level surface.

4. Put a bead of wood glue along the top edge of each side. Place against the underside of the top, checking that the sides are ush with the top edges.

5. Use corner clamps (or have someone help you) to hold one side (C) and top (A) together. Position the corner brackets against the underside of the top and the side and screw into place. You are using cut screws which means that no pilot hole is required.

6. On the underside of the top [A], use a tape measure and pencil to mark a centre line.

7. Put a bead of wood glue along the top edge and sides of the support (B) and place along the marked line, checking that it is perfectly straight and level.

Attach angle brackets to the bottom of the support (B) and into the sides (C).

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ď ś

Using the same instructions as for the bench on the previous page, make a table arm for your sofa.

LEFT: The design for the sofa arm allows you to adjust the height to match that of your lounge suite.

RIGHT: Add castor wheels to the project and make the perfect breakfast table for lazy mornings with breakfast in bed.

Use pine, meranti or Melawood for this project to match your existing furniture.

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 Applying edging strip

You can purchase edging strip at Builders Warehouse that perfectly matches the finish of the product used.

Plastic edging is far easier to apply than a melamine strip and far less prone to chipping.

To apply; place a bead of Pattex Contact Adhesive along the edge of the board and edging strip and let stand for 5 minutes. until it feels dry to the touch.

Careful align the strip with the board edge and press down along the length.

Use a sharp craft knife to cut off any excess edging for a neat, professional finish.

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glass with

Class

There aren’t many people that I know of that at one time or another have walked into, or seen others walk into, glass sliding or patio doors.

To prevent accidents of this kind there are various ways to treat glass doors so that they are not a hazard.

Vinyl stickers can be applied to create a unique design, or you can use a Dremel MultiTool to etch a design onto the glass.

Using a Dremel MultiTool and etching onto glass is just one of the ways to create a dramatic impact on patio doors.

You don’t need to buy a top of the range model - the Dremel Engraver works great - but I just think that there are so many other ways that you can use a Dremel MultiTool you might as well purchase a model that is versatile for projects in and around the home.

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ď ś Dremel Engraver

A handy and powerful tool to have if you plan to do any type of engraving. The replaceable carbide tip can be used on a wide variety of materials from glass to brass. However, this tool is limited to engraving only.

Dremel 10.8V Lithium-Ion

The ďŹ rst power tool in the world to feature Li-ion battery technology, which allows this cordless tool to perform like a corded tool.

This is part of the Dremel MultiTool range and can be used for a wide variety of applications in conjunction with various accessories.

If you have previously used a Dremel 3000, this tool can be disappointing as it does not have the same speed range or power of the Dremel 3000. Extended use causes the tool to become hot and I found this uncomfortable.

Dremel 4000

My tool of choice, the Dremel 4000 is a powerful tool for hobby and home. With its wide variety of accessories this tool has too many applications to mention.

With a speed of up to 35 000 rpm, you can carve, cut, sand or grind almost any material.

Etching glass Dremel Silicon Carbide Grinding Stone 84922 Designed to work well on stone, glass, ceramics, porcelain and non-ferrous metals, this is the perfect accessories for etching onto glass when using the Dremel 4000 or other Dremel MultiTool.

Before attempting the main project, practise with your tool on a small piece of glass, Start off at around 10 000 rpm, stroking the tool from left to right on the surface of the glass. You do not need to press hard as the MultiTool and Grinding Stone will do all the work, so keep a light pressure on the surface.

Work in small areas as you would for stencilling a project - build up layers of etching for light and dark areas of your design.

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DREMEL 4000 (4000-1/45) This kit includes the high performance 4000 multitool, with innovative features like electronic feedback, collet lock out function and a RPM bandwidth of 5.000 to 35.000. Additionally the kit includes the Flexshaft attachment, which is the ideal attachment for detailed work on hard to reach places plus 45 original Dremel accessories, including SpeedClic.

DELIVERY NEXT DAY - Orders before 10am, Mon- Thurs

CLICK HERE TO ORDER ONLINE

Confirm your booking for our DIY Divas Dremel Workshop and receive an additional discount when purchasing a Dremel 4000 .

Buy at a further discounted price of R1529 with free shipping.

DREMEL WORKSHOPS Wednesday 6 October (18:00 - 20:00) - DIY Divas in Randpark Ridge Saturday 16 October (09:00 - 12:00) - DIY Divas in Strubens Valley PLUS Wednesday Night is Ladies Night DIY Divas in Randpark Ridge Various Dremel tools and accessories used for decor projects

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND TO BOOK ONLINE 10

ď ś

Make an adorable growth chart for your little one and see how they grow!

You will need: 1.8m length of wood or board Pine offcuts Coloured paper Ponal wood glue Black permanent marker Tape measure Jigsaw Sander and 180-grit sandpaper Here’s how: Cut out your shapes, sand and stick on coloured paper.

Paint the boards and mark off the heights with black marker pen.

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Love

letters

Use a jigsaw to cut out alphabet letters to create your message for the day. Or add your daughter’s name above her headboard or hang on the door.

Decorating with wrapping paper and modpodge (available at your local art, craft or hobby shop).

Here’s how:

• Brush modpodge onto the individual letters and carefully stick down the paper. Let dry.

• Apply several coats over the paper and wood, allowing drying time between coats, until you are satisfied with the result.

• Once dry, use 80-grit sandpaper to roughen the edges.

• Add effect with paint or guilders paste.

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ď ś

image: erin jones-graf

ABOVE and BELOW: Hand painted letters with colourful ribbons look wonderful when hung on a bare wall. Use your PC and printer to print out the letters you need in a decorative font, transfer to a piece of 12mm supawood, and cut out using a jigsaw with clean cut jigsaw blade.

Safety ďŹ rst: Clamp the board and ensure a safe working distance below the board.

image: erin jones-graf 13

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Christmas Workshops Every year we hold workshops for making affordable gifts for family and friends.

This year we have found some wonderful projects that you can make.

Little Princess Pram A sturdy pram painted in pink and magenta.

Sat 19 December R550 per person

Rockin’ Bike Every little boy would love to ride his own motorbike!

The project uses meranti and pine to create full-size a rockin’ motorbike.

Sat 4 December - R850 per person

Click here to book or email us: home-dzine@iburst.co.za 14

Pole Pony Remember the hobby horse?

We’re making a Pole Pony for a little boy or girl.

Stain or paint in your choice of colour, or leave natural.

Sat 27 November - R250 per person

Pretty Posies

ď ś

Who needs a vase when there are so many other ways to display fresh, spring owers...

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ď ś

Building rules & regulations I am an Architectural Designer, and regularly receive commissions from clients who have built without approved plans and now need to legalise their structures.

I want to warn people how dangerous building without approved plans can be!

Adding on a patio or garden room

There are now some pesky rules, which are a little obscure, called national building regulations.

When building something as basic as a roof over your patio on a timber structure.

There are rules about foundations for the support posts. There are rules about how close these can be to a pool. There are rules about the size of timber rafters and 16

the spacing between them, as well as the battens / purlins the roof sheet rests on.

All building work must comply with the zoning regulations. These regulations limit the amount of building that can be done on a particular site.

There are building lines, which govern how close to your boundary you can build. It is possible to build over building lines, but this requires a departure from the zoning reg’s to be approved, and this would require neighbour’s consent. If you try an submit a plan after the fact, and the neighbour from hell objects, you cannot get a plan approved, and may be required to knock a structure down.

 Coverage relates to a limit to the area of your plot you can build over, generally 50% of the area of the site is the maximum footprint, but this can vary.

Additionally, if you live within a development that is governed by a Body Corporate or Home Owners Association, plans have to be approved by them, in terms of the guidelines, before submission to council. This is just one more obstacle you would have to overcome if you build first and apply later. This in fact can be more difficult than council.

The rule of thumb is, if it needs a foundation, or has any sort of roof covering it needs a plan. Have it drawn and approved before you build, by a registered professional who knows the area, and the local requirements ( all plans must be drawn and submitted by a professional registered with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession) and save yourself grief later.

If you are buying a property, ask, as a condition of purchase, for copies of approved plans, and check the house to see that all structures are correctly shown.

“The rule of thumb is, if it needs a foundation, or has any sort of roof covering it needs a plan.”

There is nothing worse than work done by a previous owner without plans, causing you major problems later, and potentially affecting the value and price you paid for the house.

Get copies of approved plans, and keep them safe – you cannot necessarily rely on council to provide copies later.

Last thought, if you are using a builder, and he tells you that you don’t need

plans - check! If you don’t get plans approved, the builder can start tomorrow, and therefore gets paid faster. If plans have to be drawn and approved he has to wait weeks to start. My advice, if a builder tells you that you don’t need plans, get another builder. This applies to all the little jobs, a pool, a little thatched gazebo etc.

David - The Plan Specialist 17



outdoor

Living

Here in South Africa we are blessed with plenty of sunny days and balmy nights. Adding on to a home is not always affordable if one looks at the way building costs are escalating and property rates going through the roof. It pays to look at other ways to increase the size of your home, and adding on a patio or garden room offers a do-it-yourself option that can be done as and when you can afford it.

Whether your garden is large or small, with proper planning and an idea in mind, you should be able to find a space that can be used to extend your living space and spend more time outdoors.

accommodation. If you want to create a relaxing spot, position the patio in a location that is furthest away from the sounds of neighbours, and add natural screening with hedges and fences.

While many say that a patio must be close to the house for easy access to the kitchen, this is not set down in stone and not always practical or possible. Wind, sound, and privacy are all factors that you need to take into consideration and, although one spot may be conveniently close to the kitchen or dining room, it may also be right next to your neighbours domestic

For maximum use of your patio you will need to consider how much sun and shade the location gets during the day. If you don’t want to roof the area, make sure that it receives some shade during the hottest part of the day.

A part of the garden that offers some natural shade to supplement a table umbrella will work well.

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no-plan patio Flooring options The easiest, simplest, most affordable way to build a patio - without having to submit plans (see previous pages) - is to use pavers or flagstones.

Both are available in a range of styles, from rustic to contemporary. If a floor of solid brick doesn’t appeal to you, leave out random blocks or have wide gaps and fill with ground creepers to add interest.

Choosing materials that complement the style of your home and garden.

RIGHT: www.colonialstone.co.za BELOW: www.mdpaving.co.za www.bosspaving.co.za www.afripaving.co.za www.smartstone.co.za

Use a sealer on stone, pavers and concrete products to enhance the natural colour and provide protection from spills. www.tilecare.co.za 19

ď ś Shady options To avoid having to apply for planning approval, consider using large garden umbrellas or shade sails for shady options.

For the creative handyman, some companies offer ready made DIY shade kits. This provides a quick and economic solution for smaller areas with readymade shade kits. Easy to install with full installation instructions, make sure that the company offers advice - should you need it.

ABOVE: www.shadeplus.co.za RIGHT and BOTTOM: www.sunsails.co.za www.shadesails.co.za www.umbrellasgauteng.co.za

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ď ś

Freestanding garden rooms There are many ways to incorporate a free-standing structure as a garden room, one that does not require any planning approval or construction.

A reputable welding company can design and manufacture a structure that is assembled on site.

The advantage of this is that you can take it with you if you move!

Last but not least, a large garden umbrella - even two - will provide plenty of shade for a small patio area - deďŹ nitely no plans required for this option!

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ď ś Decorate an existing patio For a splash of colour on boring grey concrete paving and cement, paving paint allows you to be creative; to add colour and design.

To apply:

Prominent Paints Paving paint can be applied with a paintbrush or paint roller, but using a Bosch PFS Spray Gun is the quickest and easiest way by far.

Clean the area well before application. Use a highpressure spray or a hose pipe and stiff broom.

Stir before use. The product can be applied with brush, roller or spray gun.

Drying takes 48 hours, with full curing in 7 days.

Cleaning can be done with a hose pipe and soft broom.

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This is a UV resistant product that can be tinted to any colour.

A single coat of paint is normally sufďŹ cient to coat the surface, but where paving is pitted you may need to apply an additional coat.

Let the paint dry completely for about 2 to 3 days before putting back furniture.

 Painting concrete To finish off my pool makeover (on the following pages), the patio and pool area were done in a mock rock. I find it’s easier to do regular maintenance to keep it looking good rather than go through the whole process of ripping up and starting again. Plus I get to give my garden a new look every so often!

ABOVE: The paving before painting.

ABOVE: TOP and RIGHT: On the left the path with only a coat of paving paint, and on the left after painting with paving paint and adding an effect.

Here’s how:

cracks to fill, you might contract with a professional who can use a concrete wet saw to cut around any large cracks that need filling.

2. Wash the surface with a high pressure washer - if you don’t own one you can hire for the day. Start at one end and work your way around the entire patio area with the machine.

4. Once all of the concrete patches are dry, pressure-wash again to wash away any dust or particles left behind.

1. Move furniture out of the way and cover plants or areas of the house with plastic sheets to protect from overspray.

3. Fill cracks with wet concrete, using a concrete float to smooth the surface and level it with the surrounding concrete.

If you have large

5. The easiest way to apply the paint is to use a Bosch PFS Spray System, but a large paintbrush or paint roller also works well. Let dry overnight.

6. Mix a watered down solution of the contrasting paint colour - test the colour until you are happy with the effect.

7. Use a paintbrush to apply and a wet sponge to work and spread for design that you want.

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

ABOVE: The new pool after application of Cemcrete PoolCrete. I just love the deep indigo colour of the water against the red of the pool surround.

It has been around two years since I last posted a project on applying epoxy paint to my swimming pool and during this time the paint started to crack and peel off.

After contacting Line-A-Pool, I was told that the Joburg agent appointed by them did not do the correct preparation before applying the epoxy paint. Now I’m back at square one, plus the additional nightmare of stripping off what remains of the epoxy paint! This time I’m going for a more practical and eco-friendly option by using Cemcrete PoolCrete in a charcoal colour to coat the pool.

Cemcrete PoolCrete is a smooth plaster which becomes a very hard integral part of the pool structure. It is applied directly to the gunite, hand-packed concrete shell or scratch coat plaster.

ABOVE: The pool after the epoxy paint application. I must admit that it looked beautiful, even if it didn’t last very long!

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Luckily I have a Bosch High Pressure spray, which does indeed make the job a lot easier, especially in view of the fact that the epoxy paint is already peeling off. If you don’t own a high pressure sprayer you can always hire one for the day.

 Preparation Empty the pool Put the pump on waste to empty the pool. I attached the hose for the creepy and weighed down the bottom end by attaching a brick with duct tape. It stopped halfway down and I then used a old, freestanding pool pump with 40mm pipes to empty the rest.

Prep existing pool coating Where you are applying PoolCrete on top of old pool plaster, the old plaster can either be completely removed back to the cement shell, or, if hard and firm, the surface can be hacked every 50mm about 6mm deep and 25mm in diameter. After hacking the entire surface should be acid-washed using a solution of 1 part hydrochloric acid and 3 parts water followed by a vigorous wire brushing and flushing with clean water.

For my pool I used my Bosch High Pressure spray to remove as much of the epoxy paint as possible, and a paint scraper to remove what was left.

Weather Do not apply when there is a risk of rain within 8 hours. The floor of the pool should be protected from frost/freezing until it is covered with water.

Suitable surfaces You can use Cemcrete PoolCrete on gunite, handpacked concrete or scratch-coat cement plaster.

Surface preparation All surfaces should be true in plane, hard and slightly rough to form a mechanical key. Dirty surfaces, particularly on the floor, should be acid-washed and vigorously brushed and flushed with plenty of clean water.

Fitting and fixtures Cover all pool fixtures with newspaper and masking tape to protect them. I also took the opportunity to fill in hairline cracks around the weir with Alcolin AquaMend.

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 Slush coat You need to apply a slush coat comprising PoolCrete Primer in a solution of 1 volume Flexbond and 4 volumes water. Mix slush well (Nancy lends a hand with the mixing!) and stipple onto the old plaster using either a block brush, soft carpet brush or broom.

To stipple, dip the brush into the runny mix and spatter onto the pool wall. You need to cover as much of the wall as you can to provide a rough surface for the PoolCrete. Start at the deep end of the pool and stipple the walls, returning back to the deep end to stipple on the floor of the pool.

Allow slurry coat to harden for a day.

Mixing Mix PoolCrete with clean water (approximately 6 to 7 litres per 40kg bag) to a stiff workable plaster mix. The mixed plaster must look almost too stiff.

Note: Do not add calcium chloride to coloured PoolCrete.

If mixing is done on the bottom of the pool, care should be taken not to remove the slurry coat. For this project we placed a large sheet of plastic on the bottom of the pool and placed a wheelbarrow on top for all the mixing.

You do not need to wet the slurry coat before applying PoolCrete.

Apply PoolCrete You will need a pool trowel and a hawk to apply PoolCrete to the walls.

This was Nancy and my first attempt at plastering, and, after some practice, we did in fact manage to get it right.

PS. Even the Divas needed some professional help. Thanks Zola!

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 Apply PoolCrete 6mm thick with flexible rounded steel trowels. Allow to stiffen for approximately 30 minutes, depending on the weather, and re-trowel.

When almost set, final trowelling should take place. Wet plaster slightly while trowelling to avoid black trowel marks.

The walls of the pool should be plastered first and then the floor. Commence at the deep end, which should have no standing water. All plastering must be completed in one day to avoid “dry” joints.

Curing Commence filling the pool from the deep end on the day following the day of application. Damp down exposed PoolCrete every hour to prevent premature drying. Protect the plaster from staining (particularly from mud splashes) until pool is filled.

Note: Do not introduce an automatic cleaner to the pool for 3 weeks. During this period use the pool brush only.

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ď ś

A natural swimming pool is a system consisting of a constructed body of water, where the water is contained by an isolating membrane or membranes, in which no chemicals or devices that disinfect or sterilize water are used, and all clarifying and cleaning of the water is achieved purely with the motion of the water through biological ďŹ lters and plants rooted hydroponically in the system.

A natural swimming pool relies on cleaning of the water via biological filters and aquatic plants. The design of a natural pool requires two separate but connecting areas: a swimming area and a cleaning area. In the cleaning, or regeneration area, aquatic plants and a filtration system are installed in the pool to clean the water before returning it to the swimming area.

The regeneration zone consists of a lined overflow pool filled with specific filtration substrate (gravel or sand) and aquatic flora. The biological processes that clean the water take place in this zone.

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Plants in the regeneration zone compete for nutrients that would feed algae. The water is cleaned biologically by the metabolic processes found in the substrate in which the plants are rooted. Thus, microorganisms and the water plants ensure effective, continuous cleaning.

Source: rainforest.co.za - ireference.ca - thisnext

Now you can have a chemical-free swimming pool that requires little or no maintenance.



Imagine taking a dip in a swimming pool with sparkling clean water devoid of harmful chemicals. The natural swimming pool also known as the natural swimming pond in Europe, is gaining in popularity and for good reason. It’s beautiful and environmentally friendly.

Because of their reliance on natural environmental factors, each system needs to be built with consideration to the region and climate where it’s installed. Construction elements such as the biological filter and the combination of contaminant-ridding plants vary with each pool.

Each natural pool is totally unique, and so each has a different “break-in” period during which the system finds balance. While it can be used for swimming immediately, it takes approximately two to three years until a stable biological equilibrium is reached. Once reached, it requires considerably less regular maintenance than a conventional swimming pool. Seasonal care and maintenance is still required over the course of the year, though even this differs from care of a conventional swimming pool.

The water in a natural pool, being 100% chemical free, has many desirable characteristics. For example, the red eyes, dried out skin and hair associated with overly chlorinated water is not an issue.

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Patios & Paths

With my newly-lined pool slowly filling up with water it was time to get cracking on the pool surround and paving.

Paved Patios and Paths Use a sweeping brush and hose pipe, or Bosch High Pressure Spray, to clean the surface and remove any loose concrete from damaged areas. Start at the edge of the pool and move away, so that you don’t get too much debris going into the pool.

If you have a paved patio where weeds are starting to come through the gaps start by removing all the weeds with a sharp knife. Sprinkle dry plaster sand over the surface of the bricks and work this into the gaps with a sweeping brush.

Click here for instructions on removing damaged paving bricks.

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ABOVE: A common problem with paved areas, the outer course of bricks has slipped, causing the entire paved area to open up. Where this occurs the opened joints fill up with dirt, giving weeds a foothold.

Here’s how: 1. Use a high-pressure washer or hose pipe on high power and stiff broom, to clean the surface of the bricks to assess the amount of damage that needs to be repaired. This will also assist you to pull out grass and weeds that have taken hold.

2. Remove bricks from the damaged area plus an extra row or two.

3. With the bricks removed you can determine the condition of the substructure or paver base. Where the base has been eroded away, you will need to reapply sand and gravel to build up to existing level before re-laying the paver bricks. Finish off with dry plaster sand brushed over the entire surface.

If you can, hire a plate compactor for the day - it ensures that bricks are well pressed down and well-sanded between any gaps.

DIY Tip: If the bricks are laid on a slight slope (preferably away from the house) it might be a good idea to install an edging strip (see www.permaloc.co.za) around the perimeter to prevent future slippage.

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