Sub grade and pointing question

[ChrisHig]

Been doing lots of reading on here but the more I read the more confused I get so hope you don't mind me asking a few questions.

Have some 450x450 riven slabs on a small path.
Sub grade: under the top soil is a clay level but I've taken that down too far. Can it be replaced and compressed down (by hand?) for the bedding layer to rest on?

Pointing: from what I've read it needs to be done as soon as possible after laying the slabs. I won't have time to lay them all in one day so does that mean it needs to be done as I'm going along or can it all be done afterwards? Some people seem to recommend materials other than 4:1 mortar. Does that dry light or dark grey?

[seanandruby]

you need to replace it with a sub base leaving room for 40ml of bedding. For a small job like yours it would be cheaper to use mortar.

[GB_Groundworks]

the colour of the mortar depends on the cement and the sand, all have different variations of shades from different quarries and different cements

[London Stone Paving]

Chris

1. Replacing the clay should be ok. Make sure its well compacted down though. You should also put down a layer of MOT type 1 and then run a whacker plate over it.

2. If you want to maintain a pointing colour, then have a look at Easipoint or romex which are both available in a darker shade.

3. The reason for pointing soon after paving is so that the pointing mix and the bedding layer set together and form a stronger unit. So in that respect it would be better off to point the sections as you go.

Hope that answers all your questions

[ChrisHig]

The path is on an incline, maybe 20°. Would that change affect the sub base required? 40-50mm sub base with 40-50mm bedding?

So if I lay a few slabs one evening and point those, it'll be fine to lay more slabs another day and continue pointing those?

Thanks for all the help

[seanandruby]

if I ever overdig on anything I always replace with a hardcore, or dtp1. Subsoil, in my opinion, once out should stay out. ???

[lutonlagerlout]

^^ what he said
LLL