Does a patio need a sub-base?

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. The best sub-base for a patio is hardcore laid to the correct depth, along with a binding layer of sand.

What is the best base for laying a patio?

Paving slabs are bedded in a mortar mix with four parts sharp sand to one part cement. Measure your quantities using a shovel or a bucket - for example, four buckets of sand for every one bucket of cement.

Do slabs need a sub-base?

The only layer that is absolutely required is the subgrade—you have to have ground to place a slab on ground on top of. If the natural soil is relatively clean and compactable, then you can put a slab right on top of it without any extra layers.

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.

Can I build a paver patio without gravel base?

Pavers can be laid down over plain dirt, in mortar or on top of a bed made of sand and gravel. It is not always necessary to put down a foundation, but it is generally recommended, especially if the ground is not solid or even.

PATIO SUB-BASE - Last few bits of prep are done!

Can I just lay pavers on dirt?

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.

Can you lay pavers on sand only?

Laying pavers on sand base follows the same steps as laying them on soil base, but you'll be adding a layer of coarse sand, road base, or polymeric sand first. Rake the sand to even it out and use a plate compactor to make your sand base solid so you have a firm, stable base.

What do you lay under patio slabs?

Can gravel be used as sub-base?

If your builder uses the gravel he may find it will dissipate too easily into the ground and will spend more time and money to get the levels needed. I would not advise using the gravel. A well constructed base means your drive will never get sink holes.

What can I use for a patio base?

Can you lay a patio on sand?

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.

Can I use 20mm gravel as a sub-base?

0-20mm ballast is perfect for sub-base and concrete foundations. 20mm screened ballast is versatile and can be used on driveways, footpaths, oversite fill as well as sub-bases.

Do I need building regulations for a patio?

Generally a new driveway or patio area doesn't require building regulations approval but you must make sure that any alterations do not make access to the dwelling any less satisfactory than it was before.

How much sub base do I need?

Measure the length and width in metres of the area you wish to fill with a sub base aggregate e.g. 20m x 10m. Multiply the length and width to find the area in square metres. Multiply by the depth e.g. 150mm. Multiply by 2 to get the tonnage required.

Can you lay slabs 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.

Can I use broken slabs as a sub-base?

It will be fine.

Can shingle be used as a sub-base?

Don't use shingles or gravel as a paving sub-base. They won't compact solid.

Can you lay paving slabs on building sand?

Can You Lay Paving Slabs on Building Sand? The answer is NO because building sand is too soft. You may find it combined with concrete but even that mixture isn't strong enough to hold paving slabs in place. So, if you want to avoid patio demolition, don't replace sharp sand with building sand.

Can you lay slabs on concrete?

Whether you've chosen marble, sandstone or concrete paving, carefully to lower your first slab into the concrete. Keep adding the slabs and ensure there's a gap of about 8 to 10mm between each stone. Don't walk on the slabs once they're laid – you need to wait for the concrete to set, which should take around 24 hours.

Can you lay slabs on dry mix?

I've just laid my patio on to a dry mix - works quite well. The ratio can be as low as 1:10 (1 cement, 10 sharp sand), or as high as 1:3, depending on the amount of foot traffic you expect, and what the sub base is like.

Do you really need paver base?

If you want your pavers to last, then you need to ensure that they have a strong foundation. You might have seen cracked or uneven pavers. They are a result of a poorly installed paver base. So in short, installing a paver base is crucial to get an even, flat surface that is easy to walk on and will last for years.

How thick should sand be under pavers?

Paver sand holds the pavers in place and allows you to adjust them. The final paver sand depth needs to be 1 inch and you need to account for sand filtering into the paver base and into the joints between the pavers. Make your calculations using a sand depth of 2 inches or 0.1667 feet.

Can I put 2 inches of sand under pavers?

Sinking pavers

The sand should be 1 inch thick when laid. This is just the right amount of sand for the pavers to nestle in once they have been compacted. When too much sand is used, the pavers can sink further than they should as the support from the subbase is too low down.