Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Patio Before & Afters


 You may remember this from an earlier post.
Our patio had developed large cracks along the foundation and along the top surface, seemingly due to poor workmanship when it was originally built.  It seems the patio was constructed right on top of all of the trash and debris left at the work site.  Over time water was seeping into the cracks making them larger and putting the patio at risk for eventually caving in.

After receiving several estimates, it was decided that the best solution was to demolish the existing patio and start from scratch.
As long as we were going to start over, it was also decided to enlarge and reconfigure the shape.  The previous patio was ample, but our yard space provided for a more spacious patio, so that is the way we chose to go.
It was very satisfying to watch the work being done step by step.
In the photo above you can see the patio was in the process of being filled in.  Once it was completely filled, they used a small (noisey:) machine to "tamp" down the surface.  Best of all, no trash or building materials buried under there.  

When the decision was made to have the patio re-built, we also decided to go forward with something we have been dreaming and talking about for years.
It involved a large pile of rocks.


Some of them were very pretty inside.


The beginnings of this project were a bit on the muddy side.

Soon enough the mud was a distant memory.

As was the crumbling patio.



20 comments:

  1. Kim, how absolutely gorgeous! You've added so much extra value to your property! Hope that you have many beautiful days of the season to enjoy its beauty.

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  2. Jealous jealous jealous!! We had a big pond at our last house and I loved it so much. So far my husband isn't up for one here but the day will come. You will love it!! Frogs, birds, bugs...they all come and it's so much fun to watch them. You are enhancing their habitat. :)

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    Replies
    1. Kim, just saw your reply. I'm sending some links for our pond. You are just going to love it...I promise!!

      http://poofingthepillows.blogspot.com/2010/07/yes-i-know-its-hot-outside.html

      http://poofingthepillows.blogspot.com/2009/02/outdoor-wednesday_18.html

      This one has a dragon fly. We used to get these big red ones all the time.

      http://poofingthepillows.blogspot.com/2010/01/dreaming-of-summer.html

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  3. It's beautiful, Kim. Really striking and a lovely place to sit. Listening to water trickle is one of my favourite sounds. Great job!

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  4. It looks great! I bet your glad it is done so you can enjoy your yard again. Best wishes, Tammy

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  5. Kim, I am so jealous I could spit. Because I left a pond in Texas that looked very much like that. And I miss it so much. I came over here because you are back on my radar, but I needed prompting.
    Brenda

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  6. Kim it's early a gorgeous patio and pond/waterfall area - I know you will enjoy the remaining Summer days and then have a lovely place to sit when Autumn arrives - we have such lovely ones here in NC don't we.

    Our back garden needs a lot of work too - we have serious water run off from the back neighbor's property which we have to address soon. We don't need to build a pond, after heavy rain a natural one forms for a while - as it did last night during the ferocious electrical storm here - and then goodness knows where all that water goes!

    Enjoy - your home is very lovely.
    Mary

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  7. Beautiful patio and pond! We will be beginning some work on our front walkway and garden landscaping soon--the weather here can be harsh on both!

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  8. Oh Kim that turned out so pretty. I love it. I'm sure you'll have many happy days sitting out there listening to the water. : )

    Ken is still working on ours!

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  9. So glad you told my email isn't on my blog!! I didn't realize it wasn't there any more...must fix that. :)

    Strangely enough, your comments aren't popping up in my email so I keep coming here.

    When our pond was first finished they told us to put "sacrificial fish" in it to begin with - meaning goldfish from Wal Mart. They told us that the water had to balance out and the cheap goldfish would tell us when the water was good. Long story short, all the goldfish lived and grew to be large pets in the water. They had babies too. One year we got two or three koi but the birds or an opposum immediately got them. We went out one morning and they were gone! After that we stuck with the goldfish. In case you haven't seen before, they will get big and pretty.

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  10. You have such a beautiful home and a water feature is so nice and enjoyable. You sure wish things were done right to begin with though. We're loving the beautiful weather in NC this week! It was COOL today! Sweet hugs, Diane

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  11. PS I like your 'new' kitchen ( in your banner)! How cute!

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  12. That is a really beautiful new patio Kim! I love it and the pretty 'stream' and pond also. What a difference. I'm sure you will really enjoy it out there. It's really lovely!

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  13. Wow! That's beautiful, Kim. I bet you're sooo happy.

    Blessings,
    Marianne

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  14. Sharon,
    It's great to hear from you again. I went to check in with you and see you are not currently blogging. I hope you are doing well and enjoying the summer.

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  15. What a tranquil feel the new patio and the water area create! I like how the patio was designed and the way you made it larger! I can picture you sitting there with your morning coffee. The rock and water pond and stream, look beautiful! Thank you for sharing the steps with us. I know you will spend many relaxing moments enjoying it all.

    Your new blog look is cheerful and pretty!

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  16. You have a beautiful home, Kim! Your new patio and the water feature are fantastic! You will enjoy this wonderful spot for relaxing for many years to come.

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  17. Looks SO pretty, Kim! Your home is super lovely!

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  18. It's absolutely gorgeous! Well worth the wait, I'm sure.

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  19. Woooow.... it's really beautiful. So nice!!

    AnneXX

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