Better Homes and Gardens Australia — December 2017

STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

STEPS

FRONT YARD FIX

f

irst impressions count,

so overhaul your place

to ramp up your street

appeal. It’s easier than you think

to turn an unloved front yard

into an attractive space. Say

goodbye to scrappy grass, empty

garden beds and bare concrete

with easy DIY solutions.

PAVE THE VERANDAH

If your front porch is dated

and showing signs of wear and

tear, but the surface is intact,

give it a face lift by paving

over the existing surface.

Gather your supplies

• 10 bags Sydney sand
  (tiling or sandpit sand)


• 4 bags off-white cement


• 400 x 400 x 40mm pavers


• 600 x 400 x 40mm pavers


• 400 x 400 x 40mm bullnose
  pavers (we used Adbri Eurostone
  in Riverina, Prague and Zurich)


• Mortar mix


• Powerloc jointing sand

You’ll also need

Broom; shovel; screed; spirit

level; steel float; sponge;

trowel; rubber mallet; brick

saw (hired); wheelbarrow

Here’s how

STEP 1 Sweep existing pavers to

remove loose material or weeds.

STEP 2 Thoroughly mix dry sand

and cement with shovel to achieve

an even colour. Level dry mix with

screed, starting at wall of house

and working backwards. Use spirit

level to check level as you go. Use

steel float to level under doors.

STEP 3 At front edge of verandah,

remove a strip of dry mix about

10cm wide. Mix mortar in

wheelbarrow following product

instructions. Lay a bed of mortar

with trowel along this strip slightly

higher than the level of the dry mix.

Wet bullnose pavers with sponge to

ensure good adhesion to mortar.

STEP 4 Lay pavers on mortar. Check

level with spirit level and tap with

rubber mallet to adjust if necessary.

STEP 5 Continue laying pavers on

dry mix using different sizes and

colours in a random pattern. Cut

pavers with brick saw as required.

STEP 6 Sweep Powerloc jointing

sand into gaps, making sure there

is no sand left on surface of pavers.

Spray lightly with hose to activate

sand’s polymer binding agent. (You

can also use fine, kiln-dried sand.)

i

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES,

SEE STOCKISTS PAGE

It’s time to.... PROJECT

1

146 BHG DECEMBER 2017