Can you lay slabs without a sub-base?

You do need to put something under paving slabs. Paving slabs should not be laid directly on to soft ground or grass. What's crucial to patio laying success is a sub-base to provide the support paving slabs require. You'll need a sub-base, which is the main load-bearing layer of your patio.
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Can you lay paving slabs without a sub-base?

Do I really need a Sub-base? The short answer is: if the pavement will be trafficked by vehicles, then yes, but if it will be foot-traffic only, then not necessarily. The type of paving or surfacing that will be used is one of the key factors in determining whether a sub-base will be required.
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Can I lay slabs just on soil?

While it is possible to lay paving slabs on soil, it is not generally advised. The durability of any paving with a soil base can depend on many factors, including: Type of soil: Heavy clay soil will be far more durable and less likely to be compromised by British weather conditions.
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Can you lay slabs on just sand?

So Can You Ever Lay On Just Sand? We'd always, always recommend bedding slabs down. Whilst you may get away with it in some instances, the vast majority of slabs won't stay put when laid straight onto sand. We'd recommend bedding the slabs down with a simple mortar mix each and every time.
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What is the minimum sub-base for a patio?

The Typical measurements are a depth of 150mm. This includes a 75mm sub base, 50mm of a mortar mix or sharp sand and then the paving on top of this. Once you have dug down sufficiently you will need to create a flat base for the sub-base to be laid on. We would suggest thoroughly raking the area at this point.
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How to lay slabs the easy way



What happens if you dont compact sub-base?

Each time a vehicle pulls into a garage and stops, that action creates a plate compactor effect. If the backfill under the slab has not been properly compacted, the structural fill will eventually settle, leaving voids.
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Can you lay patio without subbase?

You'll need a sub-base, which is the main load-bearing layer of your patio. The best sub-base for a patio is hardcore laid to the correct depth, along with a binding layer of sand. The pavers should then be laid on mortar made using sand and cement.
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Can you lay a patio just on sharp sand?

Add the Sharp Sand

Lay just as much sand as it's necessary to fill the difference between the turf level and the thickness of your flags. Again, make sure there is a gradual slope, and the layer is completely flat on the surface.
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Do I need a membrane under my patio?

In the vast majority of light-use constructions (patios, driveways, footpaths, etc) there is absolutely no need for a membrane to be placed between sub-base and the bedding layer: it achieves almost nothing, as a well-selected sub-base material will have what we call a 'tight' or 'close' finish, that is, there will be ...
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Can you lay slabs straight onto grass?

Laying paving directly onto grass, without any firm base, isn't going to work in the medium to long term. After heavy rain the ground will soften and any uneven areas will become more apparent and that will get worse with every season.
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How do you lay slabs without concrete?

Adding sharp sand

It holds just as firm as cement and still allows water to escape beneath. When laying a patio on sharp sand, it's also very simple to work out how thick the layer of sharp sand needs to be – it's just the difference between the turf level around it, and the thickness of your patio slabs.
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What do you need to lay slabs on soil?

You must also buy cement, sand and some kind of sub-base aggregate. As far as tools go, a shovel is required for digging, but you will also need equipment, such as a wheelbarrow, rubber mallet, trowel, rake, spirit level, tape measure, timber spacers and optional stuff, like a cement mixer or some string line and pegs.
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Can you use stones as a sub-base?

The most common granular aggregate sub-base is DoT (Department of Transport) Type 1 and Type 3 Limestone. They are both crushed stone: Type 1 has a maximum permitted top size of 63mm, graded down to dust; and Type 3 is an open-graded 40mm unbound mixture with a reduced amount of fines.
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Can I use bricks as a sub-base?

It will be fine.
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Can I use 20mm gravel as a sub-base?

20mm screened ballast is versatile and can be used on driveways, footpaths, oversite fill as well as sub-bases.
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Can I lay pavers directly on soil?

Typically, it is not recommended to directly lay down pavers over dirt. For pavers to look and perform well in a permanent installation setting, the ground/dirt floor must be excavated, leveled, and hard compacted.
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How far should patio be below damp course?

The Building Regulations require at least 150mm between the dpc and the ground or any paving. This is what is known as 'Best Practice'. However, there are situations where it is just not possible, or practical, to maintain this regulation.
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Can you lay slabs on top of membrane?

You can lay slabs directly onto weed control textile if you do not have a budget for a proper base but the slabs must be open jointed or the joints filled with gravel as grouting will not cope with the degree of ground movement.
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Can you lay pavers on sand only?

How to lay pavers on sand? For the installation of pavers, use coarse sand. The sand intends to strengthen a smooth, high layer over the rock and create a firm, solid pavement surface. Coarse sand is cheaper than sandboxes' fine sand, making it an affordable and practical choice.
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Can you lay slabs on ballast?

This can be done be using a Ballast and Cement mix (6 parts Ballast to 1 part Cement with just enough water to form a semi dry mix) or Type 1 compacted with a 'wacker plate' which can be hired from your local plant hire company.
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How do you lay a patio for beginners?

Here's how to lay a patio for beginners in 6 easy steps.
  1. Dig 150mm into your patio area.
  2. Lay a compacted sub-base of 100mm.
  3. Cover the area with 40mm of concrete mix.
  4. Lay paving slabs 15mm into the concrete with a 10-15mm gap.
  5. Leave to set for at least 24 hours.
  6. Fill the gaps between the paving slabs with concrete mix.
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Do you need a subbase for concrete?

Subbase for Concrete Slab

The subbase placement is optional and it serves as a work platform for construction of the slab and provide more uniform support for the slab. As the thickness of subbase increases, the ultimate load carrying capacity of slab increases.
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Can sharp sand be used as sub-base?

We recommend laying sharp sand to the thickness of 10/15mm . The sand is only there to blind the top of your sub-base, so it should be firm. (Granite dust is also an alternative if you can't get your hands on sharp sand) I cubic bulk bag should cover between 20/25 square metres.
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What can I use if I don't have a compactor?

Rammer. The Rammer is an effective tool for compressing soil to create a uniform layer in the landscape. It can be easily maneuvered using the handle and base to provide various levels of compaction. The Rammer comes in various sizes and can be operated by hand or machine.
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