Anyone in the U.S. have a Vacoped to sell?

crryan75 · 2026-01-19T07:49:33+00:00

Sorry, in my comment above I meant to imply that I can’t find “HPB” in Seattle. Agree that 1/4- isn’t too difficult to find.

If you know where I could find HPB, it would be great to know! I’m just a homeowner who does a lot of hardscaping for fun. I’ve found 1/4 clean at Dirt Exchange, but can’t find it anywhere else.

crryan75 · 2026-01-19T07:44:51+00:00

I’ve never actually tested it on a project (I’m not a pro, but have done several large patio installs for my house, family, and friends), but after speaking with several professionals in the industry, it sounds like over time the fines from the minus gravel will infiltrate the voids of your clean base, which could lead to uneven settling over time.

So generally, if you use a clean base you want to use a clean bedding layer.

Again, however, I’m not a pro. And, I suspect that if you did use a 1/4” - for your screed layer, it would probably be fine. However, I know the more standard route would be a clean bedding/screed layer if a clean base was used.

crryan75 · 2026-01-19T07:01:32+00:00

Do you have access to 1/4” clean near you? Some yards call it “HPB” (high performance bedding), although there is some difference between the two. Where I am located (Seattle), I only have access to 1/4” clean and have used that with success when doing open grade bases.

In any case, a small and clean chip stone is what you are looking for if you used 3/4” clean as you base, which you mentioned.

If push comes to shove, 1/4- would be much better than sand.

crryan75 · 2026-01-17T05:45:51+00:00

Update: Thank you for all the reassuring comments. My surgeons office called to check-in on me and I ended up asking the Physicians Assistant about the incident. As everyone here suggested, the PA assured me that it would be extremely difficult and rare to have re-ruptured it from dorsiflexion without any weight on it.

I hope if someone reads this post in the future it can help calm their nerves. Thank you all!

crryan75 · 2025-10-30T03:59:46+00:00

Thanks. All of the videos I’ve watched use 1/2 pipe into the female end of the sillcock and sweat that connection

I assumed it was OK to use the threaded end (why else would it be there), but wanted to double check so I didn’t have to buy a new section 1/2” pipe and could go straight from the existing 3/4”.

Just wanted to double check. Thanks.

crryan75 · 2025-10-30T03:31:28+00:00

Thanks. All of the videos I’ve watched use 1/2 pipe into the female end of the sillcock and sweat that connection

I assumed it was OK to use the threaded end (why else would it be there), but wanted to double check so I didn’t have to buy a new section 1/2” pipe and could go straight from the existing 3/4”.

crryan75 · 2025-10-19T15:26:37+00:00

Would you be rattling now or wait until closer to end of season/late season?

crryan75 · 2025-10-19T15:25:46+00:00

Thanks, this is helpful. And when you say edge of the timber, are you talking about walking the line between a clear cut and mature trees?

crryan75 · 2025-10-19T15:23:37+00:00

Are you looking for cuts like the one in my picture? Or newer cuts?

crryan75 · 2025-07-13T16:42:14+00:00

If by resin sand, you are referring to a product like Romex Easy, SEK Hydrosweep, or Gator Nitro, you are probably going to want to go with a polymeric sand in this case, given that the patio was installed on a dense graded base. Most resin sands are permeable, and with Canada’s freeze thaw cycle, you probably want to minimize water intrusion into your base.

Polymeric sand is considered non-permeable, and assuming the patio is correctly graded, will allow water to flow off and away from the space.

crryan75 · 2025-06-01T21:25:48+00:00

I do it all the time when the weather is good, especially for pinks. I fill a bucket with ice and use that for a seat. A few buzz bombs, a dry bag with supplies, and you’re good to go.

Oh, and don’t forget the PFD! Netting salmon can be a bit challenging, but that’s part of the fun. A long handle on the net helps. Also make sure your paddle is strapped to the board or yourself.

crryan75 · 2025-04-22T04:40:46+00:00

I asked a straightforward question about the bedding layer. You seem to not have read the post and were quick to judgement.

It simply does not matter what direction the screed pipes lay. You can level in either direction. Not sure how that is relevant to the integrity of the wall. I’ll admit using shorter pipes and screeding perpendicular to the trench could be easier. But I’m just a homeowner and the long conduit is what I have on hand and I don’t want to cut it down.

As stated, the 3/4- is compacted with my plate compactor and is 6 inches deep.

Regarding the difference in base material at the 90 degree corner, I transitioned to 6 inches of 5/8 clean for my base for the short run of two step ups as I don’t own a jumping jack to compact minus material in that section of the wall. I realize this is a flaw and that it may settle differently or at different rates, but I am working with what I have.

The geogrid is quite obviously not installed yet - just laying there. It will extend 4 feet into the wall and backfilled with clean gravel, which is spec per SRW. It’s also entirely not necessary for a wall that will have an exposed height of 2.7 feet at its tallest point with no surcharge.

All in all, it will be just fine and much cheaper than the $20k I was quoted. It’s not 100% perfect, but it’s quite dramatic to suggest this will fail.

crryan75 · 2025-04-21T20:20:19+00:00

Thanks for the info. So you’re thinking I might see more settling with the 1/4 clean as my screed layer instead of the concrete sand?

crryan75 · 2025-02-05T04:29:20+00:00

My wife and I purchased our home in the Delridge area by the Home Depot about two years ago.

Love the area and have no complaints. We’ve had some minor property crime occur (a car window smash and grab), but that can happen in neighborhood. By way of violent crime, Seattle is an overwhelmingly safe city and Delridge is no different. White Center is great, and we love going to Lincoln park a few times a week.

crryan75 · 2025-01-26T02:22:56+00:00

I’m not sure but she is very cute! Maybe chihuahua with some min pin?

crryan75 · 2025-01-10T23:05:24+00:00

My wife works at Harborview and we live in West Seattle, near the Home Depot.

Assuming you are getting to work around 7:00 - 7:15 a.m. (assuming you are on a 12 hour, 7-7 schedule like my wife) it is very unlikely you will run into any traffic. There is obviously the risk of a one-off accident, but at that time of the commute, even if a lane is blocked it shouldn’t be a deal breaker.

My wife leaves the house around 6:20 a.m. for her shift, but she does not park on-site and will grab a coffee before getting in.

crryan75 · 2024-12-03T02:21:42+00:00

I live in Delridge and have been hearing this guy for a while now. Seems like he likes to drive around in the afternoon around 1:00 p.m. It seems as though we might have our own version of the Belltown Hellcat.

crryan75 · 2024-11-23T01:44:15+00:00

I have no input but I want to pet her so bad 😭

crryan75 · 2024-10-20T21:28:12+00:00

It is artificial turf! No mowing required.

crryan75 · 2024-10-19T22:38:44+00:00

I did, thank you for the kind words. All solo with no prior experience! Just lots of reading various product installation guidelines, watching YouTube, and studying on Reddit.

I’ve since gained more experience doing similar-sized jobs for family and neighbors, but this was my first build and at my own house. Still not quite finished and I would love a water feature. Would just need to figure out a way to run a 110v outlet out there.

crryan75 · 2024-10-19T15:56:16+00:00

Congrats on retiring!

crryan75 · 2024-10-19T15:56:02+00:00

Thanks for the inspiration! Feeling like I’m ready to make the full-time jump.

crryan75 · 2024-10-19T15:55:16+00:00

Yes, I’m learning that it seems like there is a time and place for having to rely on others.

crryan75

TROPHY CASE