Brownstoner Garden: Day 5 (Well, 4 1/2 Really)
The first half of the day yesterday was rained out, but in the afternoon the contractor built some French drains in the middle of the garden where we’ve decided to relocate the bluestone patio. The upper level at the back will be a mix of grass and plantings, most likely with a bench at the…
The first half of the day yesterday was rained out, but in the afternoon the contractor built some French drains in the middle of the garden where we’ve decided to relocate the bluestone patio. The upper level at the back will be a mix of grass and plantings, most likely with a bench at the center of the rear wall.
Previously: Garden Days 3 and 4 [Brownstoner]
As I said, building code states that you MUST intall a fence with the supporting beams on your own side of the property, and the finished side facing out. It is not what is correct in my mind, it is the law. You are correct that most of the world installs the finished side in, because most of the world is not aware that this is the law.
Installing the fence as suggested by asp would be very difficult to do unless you had access to the neighbor’s yard. Also replacing the boards on “your” fence would be very difficult to do later if the finished side were facing your neighbors. My father was very dedicated to keeping his fence nice and replacing the warped or rotting boards regularly… good foir both neighbors. While it might be correct in your mind, I think most of the world installs the finished side in.
we do have an agreement with them; they are building their fence using the same posts. we are sharing the cost. the back fence belongs to the other neighbours and we are building a lattice there so that we can grow something to hide the back of their fence.
Thanks asb for addressing one of my pet peeves!
It looks like your fence is being constructed with the support posts on the neighbor’s side, which is incorrect. Do you have an agreement with them to do this? I often see folks install fence with the “finished” side facing their own property, and with the posts and braces facing the neighbors. The fence in the picture at the rear of your yard is correctly installed, if it is yours. If your neighbor across the lot put it up, they did the wrong thing. It’s not just an issue of aesthetics; those cross braces make a ladder and invite injury. Check with the Brooklyn DOB and you’ll see.
the french drain is also there to protect the yard from the displacement of all the water that will run off the blue stone. We found out where our french drain was AFTER we laid in the patio our selves. “Gee honey, why’s all the sand running off to the left of the patio?”
Having said that, glad it’s there, otherwise our herbs would be flooded…now to just reconfigure the pitch. Add one more to this summer’s growing DIY list.
Backyards looking good. Keep up the good work Mr. & Mrs. B.
Looking forward to the drawing of your revised design……..
Its a French drain – which is a long skinny hole in the ground filled with gravel. Presumably the bluestone patio will be slightly sloped so that runoff flows into the french drain. That way you don’t get water pooling on your patio.
Looking good….I didn’t realize that you had to install drains when you’re laying blue stone. Anybody know why?