Woman shows how she turned drab patio into slice of heaven that's the perfect spot for a cuppa – & it all cost under £50
With the temperatures set to climb again next week and summer now just around the corner, many of us will be making plans to spend more time in the garden.
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And whether you intend on hosting friends for a garden party, or just want a cosy spot to relax in by yourself, you may have noticed that your garden patio needs a bit of a revamp after a winter of neglect.
Although you may think that renovating your patio will cost a fortune amid the cost of living crisis, one woman has shown how you can do it yourself on a shoestring budget.
Taking to the Gardening on a Budget Facebook page, the woman revealed that she had decided to make herself a DIY mini-patio in her front garden, so that she could enjoy a cup of tea in the sun.
She purchased 18 patio slabs from Selco, priced at just £2.82 each, and lay them herself, with the help of a bag of sand.
The whole project cost her around £50, far cheaper than the average cost of laying a patio in the UK, which according to Checkatrade is £3250.
Encouraging others to try making their own DIY patio, the woman said: "I Love having a morning cuppa in the sunshine but I don't get much sun around the back so I decided to make more of a mini Patio around the front.
"The slabs were £2.82 each and I also used a few bags of sand.
"Lots of tears and a broken nail later I did it and I am very proud of myself.
"Never doubt yourself because you can."
The post was flooded with positive responses from DIY fans, praising the woman for her budget makeover.
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One person said: "Wow what a transformation, it looks lovely."
A second person said: "Very impressive well done.
"You can make a full pot of tea now and enjoy."
A third person said: "You certainly didn't need a professional.
How to repair broken patio slabs
THE paving specialists at Simply Paving told Fabulous how you can repair broken patio slabs, without the faff.
The experts advised: 'If you have a loose paving slab, then it's unlikely it can be lifted straight by hand. Instead, you will probably need a hammer and chisel to prise the paver free of your patio.
'To remove loose paving slabs without damaging your flagstones, carefully chip away at the mortar around the paving slab with the plugging chisel and rubber mallet until the slab comes completely loose.
'Then, slide the spade into the gap left by the mortar and prise the paver free of the patio.
"As you lift it up, place a short piece of timber underneath the spade to act as a lever, making it easier for you while protecting the slab underneath.
'When the paver starts to give, place the cylindrical wood underneath it and roll the slab out of the patio.'
"Well done that looks fabulous!"
How To Clean Your Patio
Sam Williams, from SGS Engineering revealed that contrary to what some might say, you do not need to use expensive products to get your patio sparkling.
He said: "Ensuring your patio is free from dirt, moss, and mould will not only result in a better finish but will also enhance its appearance over time."
The expert revealed that the "most effective" patio cleaning hack is to simply combine washing up liquid with warm water.
Washing up liquid can be purchased for as little as 55p from the supermarket, and most UK households will already have a bottle in the kitchen cupboard.
For the most effective results, Sam advised mixing a tablespoon of washing-up liquid with a bucket of warm water, to create a soapy solution.
Then, he advised throwing the solution onto the patio before giving it a hard scrub using a bristle brush.
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