Cement surface layer removal

For the cost of a few beers they have taken all the old tiles away too.

Foundations

Foundations for the new bit of wall laid. Horizontal reinforcements in that concrete as well as the vertical supports for the block wall.

Having removed the tiles the builders agree that they will remove the top layer of cement which, in their opinion is the cause of a lot of the movement. they will replace with reinforced concrete. This will result in the terrace being raised by an or so but will give a far more secure surface.

Day 5 & 6

All the tiles gone now and the trellis is down too.

 

Having removed the trellis and raised bed from the end of the terrace I can see a little of how the sub base has be laid. The black polythene is under about 2" concrete. I reckon that 2" layer will have to come up. How secure and how deep the concrete under the polythene is I cannot tell. 

There were 3 hibernating newts under that polythene 

The steps are a bit of a worry as they are holding back ground water with no visible means of drainage. A steady trickle of water seeped out from around the breeze blocks while I was removing the tiles and they are still wet 2 days later.

The green fence surrounding the concrete terrace is now down. This terrace will be relaid with 100mm of re-enforced concrete and sloped towards the garden. As much of the water run off from this terrace will end up going down the steps I think we need to look at possible drainage options.

A view from the drive. That wall will be continued to the steps, capped and rendered to match the house

The wall to the left of the steps will be raised to match the terrace wall and extended to meet the fence, capped and rendered.

Terrace Day 4

Cracking progress today in a little over 1.5 hours removed 11 rows. An indication of how bad they were.

Another indication of bad the base is.

Terrace day 3

Another Hour and half today and a further 6 rows lifted. Third of the way there now.

 

A fair few of the tiles are coming up whole or in just one or two pieces. Very satisfying when they lift up with a slight "pop".
   

Terrace Day 2

Progress after day 2
                   

 A closer image to show why I think the top surface layer (1" or so) of concrete may to come up

Again here. Note the lump on the right that was already loose before I started. Water seepage over many years and frost damage I suspect.

There are quite a few long straight cracks in the surface of concrete. Some delineate the various phases of construction. Those spider type cracks are where I walloped the still stuck tiles with a sledge hammer with a view to loosening them. This turns out to be counter productive as the unwalloped tiles were much easier to lift up, many in one piece.

When I have lifted up half of the tiles I will invite the builder back for a further assessment. I also have the steps from the drive to the garden to do. And dismantle the trellis at the far end.

The Terrace, works commences

Before

Well after much procrastination, pontification, deliberation and hesitation and then running out of more important jobs I finally made a start this morning.

After less than 1 hour with the SDS drill and a few thumps with the hammer and bolster. The SDS is the way to go far less mess and less risk of flying debris.

The grey stuff is the glue. A whole chunk of glue and concrete is about to come away from that uppermost riser.

If the rest come up so easily I will be very happy, if not a little surprised.

Trees have had a haircut

Tulip tree before

And after

\
Silver Birch before

And after

Following Cherry before

And after

In a couple of years time I hope to use some of the bigger birch logs on the lathe.

Here's the smaller cut logs for the fire. Cut lengths of 50cm stacked about 3ft high.

And a few larger ones that I will try and season for the lathe.

How many people lived here in 1911

69 Canon Road Bromley Kent

In 1911 there were 10!