How to lay a patio in garden with paving slabs?

Question

I would like to lay paving slabs in my gardenn i like a challenge and want to do it my self but unforunately i dont have a clue where to start does anyone know how i should go about this project????

Answer 1

what do you mean paving slabs?

Answer 2

For slabs you need to dig down to about 6" below the finished level of the patio. put in a level 4" base of sand (compacted with a whacker plate) . Then lay the slabs over that and either sand or grout in-between. It's heavy work.

More information here: http://www.bradstone.com/garden/

Answer 3

OK, I can help you here.

You will need, sand, cement, slabs, type 1 hardcore. A wacker plate and a mixer.

Step 1. Dig out the area you want to patio to a depth of 100mm.

Step 2. Lay 40mm of type 1.

Step 3. Wacker the type 1 down.

Step 4. mix sand and cement to the ratio sand5 cement 1 (5:1) DO NOT USE WATER. THIS NEEDS TO BE A DRY MIX.

Step 5. Use the drymix sand/cement and lay a bed of 60mm.

Step 6. Lay your slabs on top of this.

Remember to use a level. The patio should slope away from yr house. DO NOT HAVE IT SLOPING TOWARDS THE HOUSE THIS WILL CAUSE DAMP.

DO NOT Stand on the slabs for at least 2 days, this gives the sand/cement time to go hard. If you stand on it before then it will cause them to rock and you dont want that.

This is how we lay paving slabs for pedestrien walkways at work.

If you need any further help email me and I will be more than happy to help.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Beware as from August this year certain patios must be built to standards laid down buy your local building control, check with them before commencing, if you don't you may have problems selling your property at a later date.

Answer 5

OK - for the UK. For patio supporting people, not cars.  First find out what sort of soil you are on, or what's underneath. Plan for water run off, so 1:50 to 1;100 slope  side/end drainage(hardcore and gravel). Clay soil does not drain well and is prone to movement. Design for straight sides if poss with minimum of cutting required. Edges are the weakest points.

Remove surface soil to 6" or 9" if you're on clay. Put some weedkiller down to kill off all perennial roots. Ram or roll soil firm. Fill a third to half with hardcore. Cover with a dry mix of 1 part cement to 6 sharp sand (not soft sand). Min 2" deep so that patio is slightly higher than adjacent lawn. Firm down. Rake level. Lay paving, approx. half inch space between each. Use a spirit level. Use heavy rubber mallet. Use the same thing to space, don't guess it, i.e. pegs. Avoid small slabs or cutting as small pieces end up moving. Brush a dry mix 1:6 to fill the gaps. Press down joints so mix is pushed in hard with a piece of dowel/broom handle/pipe etc. Water with a watering can with a rose , must have a rose else it'll wash the mix away. Don't leave it to rain, might be a downpour.

Consider getting a pad/s for your knees. Keep slabs close to your body when lifting. Bend knees not back. Keep back straight.

1" = 2.54 cm   6"=15cm

Answer 6

Guessing patio pavers.

one) measure the area for size.

two) terrain, you will want to have a slight angle for runoff, perfectly level is too level.

three)  Plan for a base under the designed size.  Gravel first to allow run-off/drainage.  Sand to sit the pavers in.

There should be plenty of places that provide a professional install guide.  read it a few times and all will go well.

oh, yes i have pavers installed from my walkout basement :)

Answer 7

Honestly, you ask a question using the Queen's English...  ;-)

Have a look at the Wickes web-site or pop into a nearby store. They have some good project leaflets and there's a link to a pdf version of one for laying a patio in the link (it's quite a big file so will take a bit of time to load).