Re-paving outside patio and pool

[Grimspoon]

So we have old style bricks around the pool and patio and would like to modernize it a little. I was thinking of putting down like a terracotta style vibe which would make it look really nice.

My question is, firstly would I have to dig up the existing bricks or could you just lay the new tiles over the bricks?

Secondly, how hard is it to do? I am not that DIY savvy, but I need to start learning how to do these things. In my mind it would be a couple bags of cement, so careful planning on how, where to lay the tiles. How hard can it be? I am sure I would save a ton of cash if I did it myself.

 

[Cool E]

Its not that easy. rather get someone who knows the job.

 

[Grimspoon]

Its not that easy. rather get someone who knows the job.

Ok, fair enough. But how hard could it be? Worst case I will just buy all the tiles etc and then get someone to lay them.

 

[biena]

You will do this 3 times

1st: man this is harder than it looks, end result is crap
2nd well this looks better still not satisfied
3rd oh well get a contractor in to do it

 

[maumau]

if it's a teeny tiny area then give it ago, otherwise refer to biena's post above.

 

[Grimspoon]

You will do this 3 times

1st: man this is harder than it looks, end result is crap
2nd well this looks better still not satisfied
3rd oh well get a contractor in to do it

Haha! Ok Ok! Got it. Will get someone in to do it.

if it's a teeny tiny area then give it ago, otherwise refer to biena's post above.

Nah its a fairly large area. Its a bit patio and then all the way around a pretty big pool. So will refer to bienas post.

 

[biena]

Haha! Ok Ok! Got it. Will get someone in to do it.

Nah its a fairly large area. Its a bit patio and then all the way around a pretty big pool. So will refer to bienas post.

Yeah then rather get someone to do it, it is fun learning new stuff but you need a small practice area first.
BTW speaking from experience, redid my bathroom tiles, 3x before I was satisfied, on the plus side I now know how to do it.

Could not follow my own advice above, my money ran out and had to do it myself. at least saw it was crap after doing one side of the bathroom so not a total stuffup

 

[The_Ogre]

If you want to save some cash. There's always these guys who do building next to the roads (at least here in CT) on Monday mornings looking for work. You'll identify them by those water level (or whatever its called). Stop and tell one to come help you

 

[wily me]

So we have old style bricks around the pool and patio and would like to modernize it a little. I was thinking of putting down like a terracotta style vibe which would make it look really nice.

My question is, firstly would I have to dig up the existing bricks or could you just lay the new tiles over the bricks?

Secondly, how hard is it to do? I am not that DIY savvy, but I need to start learning how to do these things. In my mind it would be a couple bags of cement, so careful planning on how, where to lay the tiles. How hard can it be? I am sure I would save a ton of cash if I did it myself.

1) With tiles you do not use cement but tile adhesive and grout.
2) The bricks are not a solid base. Gluing tiles to it may lead to cracks and even tiles breaking
3) If there is a solid concrete base without cracks under the bricks then tiles can be glued to it.
4) Remember the bricks are thicker than tiles so some concrete work must be done to add a base to "lift" the tile to the same current level. This concrete base must be done correctly to prevent cracks that will break the glued tiles.
Get a contactor or at least someone looking for work at the tile companies to assist.

 

[biena]

Nearly December when the builders close down, a lot of competent people looking for a bit of work that time.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Large area like that you will need to make a few checks, and you won't necessarily be able to tile directly over the bricks because they may shift and move...

 

[Beachless]

Just go to an area where there is building going on and ask who is doing the tiling, then get him to do it over a few weekends.
Obviously you will need to supervise and buy all the materials but labor will then be quite cheap.
And you still get to say you did it yourself...

 

[Grimspoon]

Yeah then rather get someone to do it, it is fun learning new stuff but you need a small practice area first.
BTW speaking from experience, redid my bathroom tiles, 3x before I was satisfied, on the plus side I now know how to do it.

Could not follow my own advice above, my money ran out and had to do it myself. at least saw it was crap after doing one side of the bathroom so not a total stuffup

lol, ok I don't really feeling like doing it 3x before I am happy. Was also thinking of trying out re tiling the bathrooms, but I will leave it to the experts rather.

If you want to save some cash. There's always these guys who do building next to the roads (at least here in CT) on Monday mornings looking for work. You'll identify them by those water level (or whatever its called). Stop and tell one to come help you

Not a chance I will get one of the okes off the street. They the ones that come back a week later and clean your house out

1) With tiles you do not use cement but tile adhesive and grout.
2) The bricks are not a solid base. Gluing tiles to it may lead to cracks and even tiles breaking
3) If there is a solid concrete base without cracks under the bricks then tiles can be glued to it.
4) Remember the bricks are thicker than tiles so some concrete work must be done to add a base to "lift" the tile to the same current level. This concrete base must be done correctly to prevent cracks that will break the glued tiles.
Get a contactor or at least someone looking for work at the tile companies to assist.

Some very valid points. I think gluing on top of the bricks will cause cracking. Makes perfect sense.

Large area like that you will need to make a few checks, and you won't necessarily be able to tile directly over the bricks because they may shift and move...

Yeah, I don't think going over the bricks would be a good idea. Its probably going to be a big job this. Might cost an arm and a leg.

 

[Cool E]

If you want to save some cash. There's always these guys who do building next to the roads (at least here in CT) on Monday mornings looking for work. You'll identify them by those water level (or whatever its called). Stop and tell one to come help you

be very careful getting the guys to enter your compound to help you.

1. They will charge you high fees
2. Not all them knows the job
3. stay away

 

[The_Ogre]

Not a chance I will get one of the okes off the street. They the ones that come back a week later and clean your house out

/Devil's Advocate Mode: engaged

Getting one of the street vs getting ten via a contractor...

/Devil's Advocate Mode: disengaged

 

[The_Ogre]

be very careful getting the guys to enter your compound to help you.

1. They will charge you high fees
2. Not all them knows the job
3. stay away

/OT

Why are you allowed to call his house a compound but he's not allowed to do the same to your president?

 

[DigitalSoldier]

Just go to an area where there is building going on and ask who is doing the tiling, then get him to do it over a few weekends.
Obviously you will need to supervise and buy all the materials but labor will then be quite cheap.
And you still get to say you did it yourself...

This is how we did our bathroom and the guy did an excellent job. We also paid him a lot less than what it would have cost for a contractor to do it.

 

[akescpt]

paving almost 100m square...costing 25k...bloody hell...there goes one kidney...

 

[Hemps]

Paving is very pricey, the cheapest option is the standard paving stones you see at most places, fancier designs can raise the price by thousands.
I would get quotes on at least 3 options and then check what your bank balance allows.

I recently dropped 11k on paving a section of our front yard we could not get grass to grow in, I was going to do it myself, wife's glad I didn't as the guy did an excellent job but very pricey.

 

[Beachless]

You can also do a wood deck, its much more diy friendly and looks really good.

It just requires some maintenance once a year though to keep it looking good.