Confusion about base for patio

[RBJ]

Hello

Hopefully someone may be able to help. This is the first patio I've done so just need a little clarifiiction!

I'm in the process of improving the back garden and one aspect involves laying a patio about 13m Sq. The patio will be at the bottom of the garden so no need to worry about the DPC. Also, the patio will only take light foot traffic ( no vehicles) and will be used quite infrequently.

I've done all the necessary reading (on this site and elsewhere) and understand that the best way to install a sub-base is to get broken conrete mix from the builders yard (I'd need in excess of a tonne bag I think) and compact this using a whacker plate. I'm comfortable doing this but I've thought of an alternative way but I don't know if it's suitbale or not..................

Basically, because I'm clearing what was already in the garden, I've loads of old flags lying around that I was going to skip. Is it OK for me to 'shutter' off the layout of the patio with wood (getting the level correct all the way round), fill this with the excess flags and then smooth off on top to the correct level with a concrete mix. Once this has set I'd have a solid and level concrete surface on to which I'd lay the flags on a bed of wet mortar.

I know this isn't the text book way of creating a base but thought it would be both quicker and cheaper than the more conventional way. Also in re-using the flags I've got lying around it's also recycling!!

I've read that this is the way a hard standing for a shed is created so thought that it would also be strong enough for a patio. However, I'm concerned about settlement - does the base HAVE to be compacted with a whacker plate?

Any guidance is appreciated - either if doing this method is OK or if I'm crazy and should stop trying to shortcut!!


Many thanks

[seanandruby]

Your crazy, stop trying to shortcut.read the main index. Whoever told you shed bases are done that way are lying.

[lutonlagerlout]

if you smash up all the flags to < 35 mm and then wack it you can lay your slabs on a bedding mix straight on to it,effectively you will have made your own type 1
adding concrete is pointless and more expense
LLL