What are the steps to building a patio? Here is my assumption, maybe you can add to it or tell me I'm crazy.1) Use a Sod Cutter and clear away 2quot; of Sod.2) Lay Down Pea Gravel3) Lay Down Sand4) Place the Pavers, Bricks, whatever down5) Cover the patio with sand6) Use one of those vibrating things that look like a lawn mower without wheels to pack down the sand in between the bricks.7) Sit back with a Mint Julip on your new patio.Where did I go wrong?gt;
THE MOST IMPORTANT TASK IS TO REMOVE TOPSOIL !, BY HIRING A MINITURE 2.5 TON EXCAVATOR IE;HITACHI ETC,FROM HIRE CENTRE, LIKE hirequip .nz, HAS HERE IN N.Z, AND DIG DOWN TO CLAY. ...(IF YOU LAY ON TOPSOIL, IT WILL GET BOGGY AND SETTLE,WHEN WET) DIG A 6 INCH WIDE TRENCH AT 2 INCH DEEP AND POUR A CONCRETE NIB WALL (optional) AROUND PERIMETER....15 INC HIGH....TO HOLD GRAVEL AND KEEP TIDY......INC PLUMBING PIPES/ELECTRICS AND DRAINAGE FOR FUTURE OUTDOOR KITCHEN ETC. FILL TO DESIRED HITE WITH PEA GRAVEL AND USE (60 TO 75 KG) COMPACTOR TO PACK DOWN....OPERATE IN A CRISCROSS PATTERN...UNTIL ROCK SOLID. ON FINAL 2 INCH OF 50/50 SAND AND PEA GRAVEL, MIXED TO 20 % WITH CEMENT (JUST SPREAD CEMENT IN SAND/GRAVEL MIX AND RAKE IN) THEN LEVEL OFF...THEN COMPACT HARD UNTIL PLATE COMPACTOR STARTS BOUNCING ON SURFACE.. AFTER THAT, CHECK FOR DESIRED LEVEL/FALL .....RAKE AND BALANCE UP THE AREA AND COMPACT AGAIN AS PREVIOUS,.., IF NEED BE UNTIL PERFECT..(THE CEMENT IS TO STABILISE BASE), AND USE COMPACTOR IN A CRIS-CROSS PATTERN,ALTERNATING DIRECTIONS AFTER EVERY 2ND ROUND AND NOT JUST COMPACT ONE WAY. THE RESULTS OF FINAL COMPACTION SHOULD BE ROCK HARD). ...THEN LIGHTLY WATER (ENUFF TO DAMPEN TOP LAYER OF SAND/CEMENT MIX) TOP TO SET OFF CEMENT BASE...... ONCE BASE IS SET IN 18 HRS..(HARD BUT DUSTY) THRO 4 MM OF FINE SAND OVER SURFACE THEN LAY DOWN.....OLD BRICKS,HARDWOOD RAILWAY SLEEPERS(AKA, TIES) OR WHATEVER?. THEN FILLGAPS WITH FINE GRIT OR GRAVEL, THE GRIT SHOULD FLOW INTO GAPS LIKE BIRDSHOT. NOTE, I CHOOSE ONLY TO USE THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM OF SAND AS IT SHRINKS AND SETTLE WHEN DRY, AND AFTER PAVING I ALSO AVOID COMPACTING THE PAVERS ETC....AS IT WILL MAKE A TOTAL MESS, DUE TO BASE BEING SO HARD. THE ADVANTAGE OF GRIT OR SUPER FINEGRAVEL BETWEEN PAVERS ETC DOES NOT BLOW AROUND NOR SETTLE . ....TAKE TIME DON T RUSH... IF THIS FAILS.....GOOGLE....TAUNTENS OR CREATIVE PUBLISHING AND ORDER A PATIO BOOK.
You got it right now all you have to do is do it.
Just make sure it's all level. I like step 7 the best.
Well you should have this done by Derby Day. I would go slightly deeper than 2. You'll have an inch or so of gravel, an inch of sand then the pavers. We usually mix some mortar with the sand; lay the pavers in this mortar/sand mix dry. Spray a fine mist of water over the installation and run the compactor. Next day, sweep, sweep, sweep sand into the joints. You didn't go wrong anywhere, I just think the mortar will keep it more stable. Then...the mint julep.
