Newly Laid Paving.

[Tilly2]

Not really a gardening question but here goes.

We have had a new set of steps put in, up the the backdoor. A flight of four steps, built of bricks and paving stones. The landscaper told us, before he left today, that we should not step out on to the steps for at least three days.

Is that correct? It's going to be a pain having to go out, through the front door and round to the garden, each time Tilly needs to go out or we need to feed the birds. Three days seems a long time. Will it take longer if it rains?.

[jollyroger66]

I have a plank somewhere that you could borrow.

[Tilly2]

Thanks, Roger! :-)

[tamborine]

Cement will be disturbed if you step on it before it dries. With this weather 3days is about right.

[-Talbot-]

You will be able to stand on them the next day but and heavey impact will probably loosen the slab.

Did he not cover them with hessian? (haven't looked at any weather reports)

[Hopkirk]

I am sure the birds will find food, unless you have them in a cage.

[Tilly2]

No, no hessian, Mick. He's coming back tomorrow, to hose them down and sweep up the mess. It's going to be tippling down tonight and tomorrow morning.

[-Talbot-]

whatever heavey impact is...

[Tilly2]

I'll just have to let Tilly go out by herself. I know the birds won't starve Hoppy, I just don't like to see empty bird feeder.

Thanks Tambo and Divebuddy. I had better keep off the steps for a while then.

[Canary42]

Not such a pain as having to get the builder in again when the paving begins to rock.

[Tilly2]

That's why we had the steps re-built and extended, Canary. They had become very unstable after thirty years.

I will keep my 'heavey impact' load off them!

[The Builder]

Tilly, unless he's used a very strange mortar, they'll take "light traffic" tomorrow.

For a couple of days, just make sure you stand in the middle of a slab ...... don't stand on the edges or you'll tip them.

[-Talbot-]

The mortar will have 60% of its full strength after 24 hours Tilly.
I doubt you make the slabs rock tomorrow.

[-Talbot-]

And if The Builder gets best answer I'm going to scweeeem!

[-Talbot-]

And scweeem

[The Builder]

................. 'til I'm thick .............

[ummmm]

Do it Tilly...give Builder the best answer :-)

[Tilly2]

That is very good advice, Mr. Builder. I'm not that heavy, so I'll stand in the middle of the slabs. Thank you.

Can I do two best answers?

[The Builder]

Best answer should go to Violet Elizabeth (Tal)Bott

[-Talbot-]

No Tilly

get on the slabs (middle) and off the fence!