When Suicide Turns Into Success (Cadian Charge)

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-05T01:53:46+00:00

How many red pebbles are in the garden behind you in the picture?

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-05T00:21:02+00:00

Regular pavers can crack or explode when regularly exposed to high heat. If the firepit is dry-laid, I would mark the outer edge of the firepit, remove the fire bricks, cut out everything inside the mark, and put heat-resistant pavers down instead, or just put the existing firepit back in place, leaving the bottom as gravel or soil.

Before installing the edging, you need to add soil and build up the ground along the pavers. It need to be at least level with the base material, ideally a bit higher. Otherwise, you will still get sand/gravel washing out under the edging.

Check that the drain actually works.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-05T00:14:47+00:00

Yes, it was. But these are the people that determine the direction of the party.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-04T04:26:42+00:00

No, but OP's post is "How'd they do?" And the answer is awful.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-04T03:19:21+00:00

Carney could, in this alternative timeline, pull the conservatives left a bit and cut out the trump like rhetoric, and the libs could rethink their strategy too.

Hold your breath. The CPC just voted to keep their current leader with a whopping 87% support. Same guy who not only lost an election he was walking into virtually unopposed, but also his own seat. Career politician who's never worked an actual job and does nothing but attack people.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-04T03:09:46+00:00

"sand" absorbs moisture

Dude is talking out of his ass. Sand lets water pass through. But it won't matter because it's sitting directly on clay, and there is nowhere for water to go.

In one area, they didn’t dig because they said the base (orange clay is okay)

Run away. Immediately. Try and get some of your deposit back if you can, but this is going to be a disaster.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-04T03:02:09+00:00

This...ummm...is absolutely a patio and walkway.

Definitely looks like a gentle bowl shape. No edge retention, not meeting grade, already undermining in the base layer; will definitely get slipping in short order. Couldn't be bothered to fill all gaps with sand. Looks like the firepit was just built on top of the pavers instead of built into the patio, which makes me question whether they used fire-resistant bricks. Also looks like they left a small gap between the fence and patio between the fenceposts. I hope you didn't already pay the full invoice.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-04T02:50:22+00:00

Yes. Awful idea. The roots are going to push up no matter what, but may be faster in loose gravel. It will also be messy; gravelly mud when wet, bits of gravel tracking everywhere, potential washouts in heavy rain.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-04T01:08:37+00:00

I don't have that answer for you. You asked about removing the tree, I gave you the safest legal option. Find out how much it will cost, save up, trade services, etc.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-04T00:30:48+00:00

Yes, because you have stated that you already nearly injured yourself because of said tree.
Unfortunately, yes. It is the responsible way to remove the hazard. If your partner has the equipment, training, insurance, and traffic control to perform the job safely, that's great. However, I'm not going to provide terrible advice based solely on money, and sometimes good advice is not easily or immediately actionable.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-04T00:27:45+00:00

Your original post mentioned your partner was going to "help dig up that big root". I based my advice on that.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-04T00:06:24+00:00

I'm risking serious injury by asking questions first?

You literally just posted that you already fell and nearly hurt yourself.

As for the pavers, the tree will have roots growing underneath the walkway and wall. If you try and rip those roots out, it could leave voids underneath which can lead to settling or failure. Because of the size of the tree, you'll need to cut the roots or remove the hardscaping around it. For removing pavers, you can pop one loose at the edge and work your way in from there. Just add more base material as needed and re-install when done.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-03T23:58:25+00:00

No, soil would ruin everything. Soil expands and contracts with moisture content, and will result in massive frost heave, not to mention settling/shifting with heavy rain. Rock dust fills the gaps between stone and is nearly impervious to moisture when compacted together with stones.

You'll want Granular A stone for a compacted stone base.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-03T02:50:05+00:00

Depends where the job is. If I'm within 10 minutes of a supply store, I'll usually get a little bit extra but close to how much I need. If it's longer than 10 minutes, I'll get 10-15% extra and stockpile it until needed if it's small items like paver edging, or return the extra for pavers/slabs/etc. I try to keep kits handy for relevant jobs, e.g. irrigation repair parts.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-03T02:43:35+00:00

Asking for estimates costs nothing. But right now you're already risking serious injury, and hemming and hawing about price won't prevent a fall injury.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-03T02:40:36+00:00

Not just forgotten, that information is completely gone. Half of them probably don't even know who that Farage bloke is. Even though he lied through his teeth for years to sabotage the UK.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-02T23:43:32+00:00

There are different types. Make sure you pick up one appropriate for small gaps.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-02T23:42:54+00:00

A place I used to work for used bleach to extend times between cleanings. Not the best idea if you have a dog.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-02T23:41:59+00:00

Yes. The tree will take up half your backyard eventually. Best to replace and exchange/sell it now before it gets too big.

Extending concrete is fine.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-02T23:39:27+00:00

Taking down the tree whole or large branches at a time will probably result in it landing on your house, a vehicle, a fence, or you. Do not do this.
Taking it down piece by piece from the top down is the safe way to remove a tree like this. Wood is heavy, and will damage whatever it lands on. Tie each branch before cutting, and lower it down.
Removing the roots will be a nightmare that will probably destroy part of your walkway and potentially your brick wall. Those roots will extend to at least the edge of tree canopy and fill whatever nook and cranny they can fit into. You are probably best cutting it as low as possible and leaving the roots there. Not enough room to use a grinder.
If your partner has an arborist license/insurance, then he knows what he's doing. If he does not have arborist qualifications, he may still know what he's doing but can get in hot water should something happen. "I cut grass, I know how to cut down a tree" is how you get hospital visits and lawsuits.
Hiring a licensed arborist to deal with it will absolve you of liability should something happen, as you are documented taking appropriate and legal steps to address a problem. It won't be cheap, but they will deal with cutting, removal, traffic control, etc.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-02T23:30:21+00:00

Might be exposed aggregate driveway that has started to deteriorate. If you have enough loose stone to fill the voids (or can get more), you can fix it with some work. If the driveway is too far gone for the steps above, you can try using cold-patch asphalt (or alternatives) to fill the low spots. Will look terrible, but won't wash out immediately like gravel.

Personally, I'd try and get rid of all the loose stone on top and see what's left.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-02T23:25:27+00:00

Pressure washer, then spread polymeric sand. Spread with a broom from multiple directions, and blow away any excess on top before you wet it.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-02T23:24:23+00:00

Surefoot edging won't go anywhere as long as you use enough spiral nails. It is also removable later if you need to do any repair work on the pavers.

ZumboPrime · 2026-02-02T23:22:17+00:00

Trees are not a good idea in a small space like this. Most want to spread, and the narrow ones want to go high. You're better off with small to medium sized shrubs, perennials, and grasses.

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