D'ABACO MELBOURNE - TIPS TO GET THE JOB DONE RIGHT

When measuring up for a job, it's essential to work in meters to calculate the length, width, and depth accurately. To calculate the surface area, we multiply the length in meters by the width in meters, which gives us the square meterage (m2). This method is useful for estimating the amount of material required for paving tiles, mesh for concrete, weed mat for under pebbles, or instant and synthetic grass.

To calculate the volume required, we multiply the length in meters by the width in meters by the depth in meters, which gives us the cubic meterage (m3). This method is useful for estimating the amount of material required for laying concrete, soil for lawns, mulch, pebbles, or drainage scoria for drains. This calculation is used for materials that have depth when laid.

A useful tip is to break unusual-shaped areas into different sizes of squares and rectangles to calculate the required material accurately.

By following these guidelines and calculating the surface area and volume accurately, you can ensure that you purchase the correct amount of material for your job. This will save you time and money and help you complete your project efficiently.

To create a stable base for synthetic grass, you should follow these steps:
1. Excavate the area to the required depth.
2. Lay 20mm crushed rock to a depth of 75mm, ensuring that the base is level and even.
3. Compact the crushed rock base to create a firm and stable surface.
4. Finish the surface with a 5mm crusher dust to a depth of 20mm. This will give the synthetic grass a more natural feel when walked on.
5. Create a slight fall in the surface to allow for natural drainage.
6. Once you have cut and joined the synthetic grass, brush the pile up and cover it with kiln-dried sand. Using approximately 10kg of sand per square meter, depending on the height and density of the pile, will help keep the synthetic grass in place and provide a more natural look and feel.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your synthetic grass installation is stable, level, and provides a natural-looking surface that is suitable for a range of outdoor activities.

When creating pathways, a depth of 75mm after compacting is suitable for most general pathway areas or as a base prior to laying pavers. For driveways, a depth of 100mm after compacting is sufficient for light car traffic. However, for larger sites or heavy traffic areas, the depth should be increased to 150mm-200mm, depending on the ground conditions and traffic volume. It's essential to choose a heavy-grade crushed rock that is available up to 40mm in size and larger rubble of 100mm if required.

Compacting the base material is crucial to ensure the pathway or driveway's longevity. A well-compacted base provides a solid foundation that can withstand heavy traffic and prevent the surface from cracking or becoming uneven.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your pathways and driveways are strong, durable, and long-lasting. Remember to choose a heavy-grade crushed rock, compact the base material well, and adjust the depth according to the traffic volume and ground conditions.

Compost is an excellent way to improve soil and stimulate plant growth. By laying 25-50mm of compost over garden beds and tilling it evenly into the surface, you can enhance the soil's quality. Compost is also suitable for plants, lawns, trees, and vegetable gardens. When establishing new flower beds, our organic soil mix, which contains 25% compost, will be highly beneficial.

Mulch and pine bark can be laid 75-100mm over garden beds to help retain moisture in the soil and reduce weed growth. Always keep the mulch a few centimeters away from the base of trees and plants to prevent rotting.

A great idea is to mix compost and mulch together to provide a nutrient-rich layer for garden beds. It encourages worm growth and allows air and rain to penetrate the soil. This technique helps keep your garden beds healthy and vibrant.

By following these tips, you can enhance your garden's health and beauty. The combination of compost, mulch, and organic soil mix will promote plant growth and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, making your garden more sustainable.

Using a good quality weed mat under your pebbles and stones is crucial. It allows water and some nutrients to pass through to the soil while reducing weed growth and minimizing long-term maintenance. The quantity of pebbles or stones required depends on their size. For the same coverage area, a 75-100mm stone will use twice the volume of a 20mm product.

Choosing the right plants is also important. Plants with leafy and strappy foliage are hardier and require fewer nutrients for growth, keeping your pebbles and stones looking cleaner over time. Plants that shed flowers and leaves can stain the stones and pebbles if not removed.

By following these tips, you can ensure your pebble and stone landscaping stays beautiful and requires less maintenance over time.

For laying bricks: one cubic metre of sand will lay approximately one thousand standard bricks. This may vary depending on whether the bricks are solid or have holes.

For laying concrete blocks: one cubic metre of sand will lay approximately five hundred standard 390x190x90 solid blocks. This will also vary depending on the width and whether they are solid or hollow.

Always remember there are four bricks required to cover the same area as standard 390x190 block.

Sand for screeding floors or rendering walls; Use one cubic metre of sand to cover approximately thirty square metres of area at a depth of 25mm.

Most bulk materials weigh approximately 1,000-1,300 kg per cubic meter. As most materials come in 20 kg bags, that's equivalent to 50-65 bags per cubic meter. Additionally, there are 1,000 liters in a cubic meter, so 30-liter bags would be equivalent to approximately 33 bags per cubic meter. Concrete pre-mix comes in 20 kg bags, and you would need 80 bags to make a cubic meter of concrete.

Therefore, before purchasing bags, calculate the required quantity in cubic meters and compare the bulk price to the bagged price. This will help you make a more informed decision and save you money in the long run.