Raised patio

[three_sheds]

Hello,

I'm about to build a raised patio (about 500mm high) as the doors to our new extension are quite high (due to ground sloping away).

My plan is to dig foundations around the perimeter (3 sides) and build retaining walls using blocks laid on their side (walls will be rendered). The walls will enclose the patio (ie. will be higher than the patio - 'perching height'). I have lots of hardcore from demolishing parts of the house which I had planned to put in the middle to raise the level and then top this with Type I. The patio will sandstone flags.

Does the above sound like a reasonable plan?

Some things I'm not sure about...

Can I lay the flags on a mortar bed directly onto the MOT?

And, I can use the topsoil dug from the foundations around the garden, but there will be a fair bit of clay coming out too - could I dump this on to (or under) the hardcore??

Many thanks for any help!

[London Stone Paving]

Sheds

1. You can lay the mortar bed straight on top of the MOT.

2. I would not reccomend using top soil and clay which has been dug out for use in the sub base. It will likely sink at some point in the future along with your new patio

All the best

Steve

[three_sheds]

Thanks. Would it still sink if compacted first? Just wondering why soil would sink, but MOT wouldn't (I fear that that may be a silly question!).

Another thing I forgot to mention. There will be a step down from the house to the patio level. Will it be OK to build the step off the MOT if I lay the flags on some blocks (like the flag on bricks design shown here: http://www.pavingexpert.com/featur01.htm#door??

[lutonlagerlout]

when you dig out soil it bulks by ~ 50%
if you dig a hole and try and refill it you will have soil left over
this doesnt happen with aggregates
any area being paved does not under any circumstance want soil put back into the subgrade as it will fail
LLL

[three_sheds]

I didn't think it would be good idea (although I had hoped I could get away with it - saves paying to take it away!) - but at least I understand why now.

Thanks for that.

[three_sheds]

There will be a step down from the house to the patio level. Will it be OK to build the step off the MOT if I lay the flags on some blocks - like the flag on bricks design shown here: http://www.pavingexpert.com/featur01.htm#door??

Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts about doing a step this way?

[lutonlagerlout]

i would build the steps off the flags if that makes sense

LLL

[three_sheds]

Ah, I hadn't thought of that. Although I'll probably use some old flags underneath and not the expensive new ones!

On that subject, anyone know of a good source (ie. good price) of black sandstone in Herts area??

[lutonlagerlout]

you should be looking for quality first then price
the bitterness of cheap rubbish paving stays long after the sweetness of the cheap price has evaporated
london stone does a good range of very reasonable sandstone but i dont recall ever seeing black,maybe you are thinking of limestone or granite
LLL

[London Stone Paving]

we took delivery of 2 x containers of black tumbled sandstone in the last month. We've not sold any yet though, so you could be the first

[mickavalon]

Black tumbled sandstone, I can't believe that,s not a seller Steve, it's normally our most favoured colour, but hard to get hold of. I should know about that job this week.

[London Stone Paving]

Got no doubt it will sell Mick, but as yet we have got no decent photos for the website or brochures.

Swamped at the moment. One of the drivers is off all week so I am in the big lorry all week delivering stone.