Should I lay slabs on sand or cement?

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.

What is the best base for laying slabs?

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.

Can you lay slabs on building sand and cement?

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 paving slabs be laid on sand?

Laying Patio Pavers on Sand

Keep adding the slabs and ensure there's a gap of about 10-15mm between each stone. When you're laying the slabs, make sure you kneel on the sand rather than on the slabs you've already laid – the extra pressure may bed in the slabs too deep and make your patio uneven.

Do you put cement under slabs?

You'll need to make enough concrete to make an even 40mm layer in the patio bed. Before you can start laying patio slabs, you need to dampen them so they don't dry out your concrete too quickly.

How to lay slabs the easy way

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.

How do you prepare ground for paving slabs?

For concrete block paving, use unbound (without cement) sharp sand. This is compacted, providing a solid bed which prevents movement. For natural sandstone, use a moist sharp sand and cement mix. This mortar mix accommodates paving slabs and various shapes and sizes of paving stones.

How thick should sand be under pavers?

Plan on spreading about 1 inch of sand beneath the pavers, says Western Interlock. You'll also use it to fill the gaps between them. The sand should be spread over a 4- to 12-inch layer of crushed stone, which has been tamped into place.

How thick should mortar be for slabs?

The depth of the mortar bed should be approximately 35-40mm deep. Ideally starting from a right angle or straight edge, place the slab down. Gently tap with a rubber mallet or press down with your hands and use a spirit level to ensure to make sure the slab is level and in line with your proposed design.

Should I use sharp sand or builders sand?

Differences between sharp sand and building sand

Having a larger grain size means sharp sand is slightly heavier, giving the mortar more strength yet making it less flexible to work with. Most people use sharp sand over builders sand for floor screeds, fine concrete work and laying paving courses.

Can I 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 lay a patio on sharp sand?

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. Avoid laying straight on to sand as whilst it may be convenient, the headaches are simply not worth it.

Do I need a Wacker plate for patio?

Use a wacker plate to compact and level the hardcore. It's not essential, but stops the rubble moving around while you lay the slabs, making the base solid.

What happens if you put too much sand under pavers?

Excess sand slowly fills the joints and spills out of the edges and across paver surfaces. As a result, your pavers lose their locked positions and float haphazardly on the sand's surface.

Should I tamp sand before laying pavers?

Before you begin laying pavers, prepare the ground. Ensure you have a root and rubble free compatible sand sub-base of at least 50mm thick. The sub-base should be roughly levelled and damped down before tamping down firmly with a hand or mechanical compactor.

Can you lay block paving without a Wacker plate?

Yes, normally you lay raised on a bed of sand and wack to level required. You can lay on a solid flat bed (concrete etc.) then obviously no wacking required.

How much sand and cement do I need to lay a patio?

For a full bed of 50mm depth, you need one bulk bag of sharp sand and 6-7 bags of cement per 8-10 square meters. To prepare mortar for a 50 square meter patio bed, you need 5 bulk bags of sharp sand and 30-35 bags of cement.

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.

Can I use sharp sand as a 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.

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.

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 ...

How do you lay patio slabs on sand?

What sub base should I use for patio?

The depth at which you will need your base will depend on where you are laying your paving and whether you want this paving raised or at ground level. 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.