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Laying a patio circle advise

paul travispaul travis Posts: 5
in Problem solving

Hi everyone, i'm currently laying a patio circle and need some advise. I've dug about 200mm deep for the foundations but is this too much?

40mm - Flags

75mm - Hardcore

40mm - Cement

= 155mm

Can i just use more hardcore or shall i put some soil back to build it up slightly again?

 

Thanks

Paul

 

Posts

  • Hortum-cretaeHortum-cretae Posts: 979

    It's all in the prep. The more sound the base, the better the finished product. You probably don't need that depth, quite. I'd allow for about 100mm hardcore normally, but it does depend on your soil. On chalk it's easy because it's a great solid base, on soils that are liable to shift or go soft then you'll need a greater depth. It needs to be whacked down evenly so you've got a good secure base for your cement - a fairly lean mix, it's only to bed the slabs. Pointing in will secure them.  HC

  • paul travispaul travis Posts: 5

    Thanks for the reply. Do i just use more hardcore or but some soil back down to bring it the base up slightly?

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    Or sand. I have laid a brick circle (9 feet in diameter) just on sand and it has not moved in 10 years. I just have normal garden soil.

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,843

    If you put the soil back in you will have defeated the object of getting a solid base unless you intend to compact it with a machine that is. Now that you have dug it out you will have to add more hardcore.

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