Dog run - Compacting or not

[jdc983]

Hello, hope someone can help, i am looking to lay a series of grey council type slabs (2 x 2), 42 of them. I have been reading the site but am still a little confused. I have an area to lay them on that is firm ground, i will level and compact with a plate to desired level. I understand i am best to lay on a dry bound mix as i will be washing area daily once the dogs are in their new home. my question is should i also compact the bedd material and screed to level again and lay slabs on that or am i better laying slabs on loose uncompacted bed and compact using a mallet or similar. pardon my nievity but we all have to start somewhere!!! dont want to make silly mistake by not asking.

any help and advice would be great

jimmy c

[Carberry]

Compacting then screeding is for unbound bedding. Lay your slab then tap it down with your mallet / maul.

[lutonlagerlout]

with 3 by 2 s you are better off using a screeded bed that contains at least 1:6 cement
just nail 2 straight pieces of 4 by 2 together to make your idiot stick as we call it
how would you lay 3 by 2 s carberry?
its a lot faster screeding with large unit regular flags, than bashing them with a maul
or is it?
LLL

[Carberry]

with 3 by 2 s you are better off using a screeded bed that contains at least 1:6 cement
just nail 2 straight pieces of 4 by 2 together to make your idiot stick as we call it
how would you lay 3 by 2 s carberry?
its a lot faster screeding with large unit regular flags, than bashing them with a maul
or is it?
LLL

I should have made my post a little clearer, I made it whilst nipping in to the office to grab some food.
It is faster screeding with large flags and you would need arms like Magnus Samuellson to consolidate 3x2s with a rubber mallet :laugh: that's if you don't break them first.

I meant that with unbound bedding it is really important to compact first, if you don't the bedding layer may consolidate further and end up with slabs / paving all over the place.
When the bedding material is bound it isn't as important because the bedding layer stiffens up and it won't consolidate further. They're 2x2 slabs and presumably being laid for a patio or path, with a bound & full bedding and only foot traffic they won't go anywhere.

I'm assuming OP is a DIYer, it can be difficult compacting your screed properly until you get used to the sand you're working with, the power of the compactor, the weight of whatever you're laying etc

I'm also guilty of assuming OP would use a stronger mix too rather than 10:1 sharp sand:cement.

Here is the bit of reading you may have missed jdc:

http://www.pavingexpert.com/layflag1.htm#lay

"Screed bedding
The bedding material is spread out over the area to be paved, compacted lightly with a plate compactor (around 2 or 3 passes) and then screeded to level 5-8mm high as explained in more detail on the Screeding page"

Sorry if I confused you with my hasty advice

[jdc983]

thanks for the help so far,

you are quite correct it will be light traffic and i was intending a mix of 6:1.

if i have this correct compact the base layer, lay on a bedding mix of 6:1 about 4 inches deep and screed, lay slabs (2 x 2's) and consolidate using a rubber ballet. Does that sound right.

[lutonlagerlout]

spot on from here maybe 50mm bedding rather than 100mm
LLL