OH wants to use wooden pallets for drainage under decking

Guffy · 30-06-2022 01:09PM #1

OH wanted to lay artificial grass in an area of the garden. Told her it wouldn't be an issue, I'd get the bits and sort it out.

Told her what I'd need gravel, sand, membrane and a wacker. Have it done in a day. She is bawking at the cost of gravel though. I told her it's needed or else the water would pool/flood.

Her ingenious idea is to put sand down place wooden pallets over that and get wooden "decking" flooring squares from Ikea and nail that into the pallets. This will cost about a quarter of original and is of the opinion, "sure if it doesn't work we can do it proper next year".

I dont mind doing it, it's her garden. Hole would be dug anyway and just get a tamper instead of a wacker for the sand. I'm not a tradesman though so what's going to go wrong here? As I know something will and would rather do it right today than fix it tomorrow.

The Mighty Quinn · 30-06-2022 01:13PM

No expert myself, but wouldn't the sand in her idea just wash away, pallets would move, whole deck becomes an uneven surface?

elperello · 30-06-2022 01:14PM

Pallets are just made to transport goods, not to last.

They will rot.

elperello · 30-06-2022 01:19PM

If you Google "laying artificial grass" you will get several videos giving information.

whisky_galore · 30-06-2022 01:24PM

Why not do it properly from the outset? Hates spending money but prepared to piss it away at the same time?

Furze99 · 30-06-2022 01:34PM

If the OH is doing the work, let them at it and they can fall though the rotten holes in time and do it again proper.

If you're expected to do it, well do it proper in first place and value your time.

Girl Geraldine · 30-06-2022 01:45PM

A load of 804 cost is a lot cheaper that some crap decking from Ikea. 804 aggregate would cost you about € 55 per ton. Surely cheaper than fooling around with crap from Ikea and pallets.

Feisar · 30-06-2022 01:47PM

Explain to her about rats and how they will love it. Should sort it out for you.

jack of all · 01-07-2022 05:19AM

Put a value on your time, the time wasted doing it the wrong way and then having to take it up to start all over again would easily cover the cost of buying the proper materials for the job. The cost of getting rid of the rotten timber as waste after a year or two shouldn't be ignored either.

Lumen · 01-07-2022 06:49AM

Judging from the various threads on plastic grass installation it seems like the same amount of prep work as a patio, and then more maintenance afterwards.

I just don't understand the appeal.

Do a patio right once and it'll last as long as the house, and a quick sweep/hose down will have it looking perfect.

c.p.w.g.w · 01-07-2022 06:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119274440#Comment_119274440

I think the look of the grass is a greater appeal, most back gardens are grey walls and depending on size they can just look grey and depressing

Lumen · 01-07-2022 07:22AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119274445#Comment_119274445

Sure, but that's easily solved with real plants and attractive choice of patio materials.

vs

...Ghost... · 04-07-2022 02:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119274500#Comment_119274500

The second one is way nicer

whisky_galore · 04-07-2022 02:17PM

Boring plastic grass, looks like a beer garden or a kiddies play area.

...Ghost... · 04-07-2022 02:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119289334#Comment_119289334

The other one looks like you couldn't even use it, it's so overgrown. I'll take neat plastic grass and cosy outdoor bench anyway. Imagine the sap and insect poop coming from the other one if you made your way to the table. No thanks.

Danzy · 04-07-2022 03:24PM

Would they last till Christmas.

Gravel by the tonne is 50 or 60 a bag.

Pallets are not the cheap option.

whisky_galore · 04-07-2022 03:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119289358#Comment_119289358

ah bless.

elperello · 04-07-2022 03:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119289312#Comment_119289312

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119289358#Comment_119289358

Ok relax nobody is going to send Diarmuid Gavin around to change your outside space 🙂

Your garden your choice, it's the only way.

...Ghost... · 04-07-2022 08:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119289723#Comment_119289723

I'm more surprised that someone thanked your post 🤣

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119289735#Comment_119289735

My garden looks grand. Paved with limestone, some plantings and a raised pond with a waterfall. Kind of thing Diarmuid gets the kleenex and moisturiser for.

OH wants to use wooden pallets for drainage under decking

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