New patio turning to a swamp?!

[Dermo]

Hi

Ok, I've already mentioned my new patio under a different subject, but this new problem I feel warrants a new subject!

Just now I ventured out to the garden to to rescue some potted tomato plants from the apocalyptic downpour that's been occuring here over the past few days (talkin' about A LOT of rain). While returning to the house across said patio, (Indian Sandstone slabs dry-laid a week ago, raised approx 6 inches high on sand , bordered by cemented cobble stones), the slabs began to give way beneath me, up-turning and sinking into the sand like the patio's turned to a swamp! Can someone please tell me whether this is normal behaviour for a newly-laid patio or have I been the victim of a dud tradesman? Surely I should be able to walk on my patio regardless of the weather without fear of being sucked into the centre of the earth?! What can I do??!!

[local patios and driveway]

what ever has been done its not right, got any pics and a few more details on what you know has been done under the slabs specifically?

[lutonlagerlout]

oh dear
sounds like a 100% bodge
sorry LLL

[seanandruby]

Need to know what he dug out, what sub base was used, what bedding material he used, any drainage he placed etc: Maybe a photo, or two.

[Hawk]

dosen`t sound clever, try and post some photo`s to see if we
can help you out

[Dermo]

Hi all

Thanks very much for replies. Find below 3 photos of the patio (hope they post ok).
Beneath the slabs, here's what he did: dug out grass sods, took away loose soil, placed a sheet of membrane, then fine grain sand (rather like what you'd find on a beach) sloping to a height of about 6 inches for slabs to be flush with back door. The patio is edged with a cobbled planting border (cobbles not level but that's another matter).
Your further comments / opinions / advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Dermo]

Arrrgghh, having awful trouble getting photos up. Will keep trying....

[msh paving]

how to load photos

MSH



Edited By msh paving on 1278847618

[Dermo]

Thanks MSH, but it's getting the photos onto a web space that the forum willl accept that's the problem

[msh paving]

the forum accepts just about every photo storage MSH

[seanandruby]

Sand seems to deep at 6 inches. Fine grain sand does'nt sound good either. We await photos.

[Dermo]

Thanks seanandruby, thought too it seemed a bit deep for just sand, but I trusted the guy knew what he was doing. Anyway, I've given up trying to post photos from the web, so hopefully these links will do instead...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51932858@N07/4782964640/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51932858@N07/4782330001/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51932858@N07/4782329927/in/photostream/

[lutonlagerlout]

sadly dermo thats a fail
whole thing needs to come up and be relaid properly
LLL

[Mikey_C]

"placed a sheet of membrane"

when you say membrane, do you mean black/blue "plastic" damp proof membrane or a weed fabric in grey/brown??

[Dermo]

Thanks LLL; that's the sad reality of it alright, I will either try tackling it myself with some help or get a pro in!

Mikey_C, it was a blue plastic membrane he used - the proper type I think?