Slab base - membrane

Patio flagstones (slabs), concrete flags, stone flags including yorkstone and imported flagstones.
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eric99
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed May 16, 2012 8:22 pm
Location: wales

Post: # 78146Post eric99

I have a question about a patio base. A builder has been around to look at my patio and is going to give me a quote. He has said that I need a DPC membrane under the patio, the type that is used for indoors. He said that it can be used outdoors.

I have only seen terram which lets the water through. When I checked with my local builders merchants they said that it shouldn't really be used on an outdoor patio but if it is then holes should be put in it to let the water drain downwards. I phoned the builder and asked if he was going to put holes in the DPC and he said "no" there was no need.

Could someone please give me a little guidance on this.

Thanks Eric

BTW, great site, I've spent a while on here learning all sorts :)
Eric

bodgeitandscarper
Posts: 345
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:23 pm
Location: Hereford

Post: # 78148Post bodgeitandscarper

Thing is you already have your doubts so just get rid and find someone else.
Maintenance Man

eric99
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed May 16, 2012 8:22 pm
Location: wales

Post: # 78149Post eric99

bodgeitandscarper wrote:Thing is you already have your doubts so just get rid and find someone else.
Thanks for your reply, I was wondering if he is right about the use dpc and maybe the builders merchant was wrong.
Eric

Carberry
Posts: 1366
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 9:05 pm
Location: Edinburgh

Post: # 78164Post Carberry

DPC / DPM is damp proof, doesn't let water through. If it is going outdoors you want it to let water through or it could end up puddling and in the winter it will freeze which will ruin your patio.

Builder is an idiot, don't let him near any job indoors or out

local patios and driveway
Posts: 1568
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 9:58 pm
Location: Gatwick
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Post: # 78172Post local patios and driveway

Run a mile from that guy, he hasnt got a clue. Will probably lay it on mortar too.

Its terram, sub base (ideally mot) sharp and cement base then the slab.

eric99
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed May 16, 2012 8:22 pm
Location: wales

Post: # 78233Post eric99

Thanks both for your replies.

He said he would use a sub-base of dust and recycled glass, compact it, lay the dpm and then use a semi dry mix of builders sand and cement over it and lay the slabs on top.

I can see from your posts that the terram goes under the sub base and not on the top.
Eric

Pablo
Posts: 1990
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:49 pm
Location: N/Ireland

Post: # 78241Post Pablo

Tell this fella thanks for his time but not to bother with a quote and get a few others round to price it using the spec as mentioned above and nothing else.
Can't see it from my house

local patios and driveway
Posts: 1568
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 9:58 pm
Location: Gatwick
Contact:

Post: # 78245Post local patios and driveway

Dust and recycled glass? Who is this guy? Name and shame incase any one else searches his name for a review

lutonlagerlout
Site Admin
Posts: 15184
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 12:20 am
Location: bedfordshire

Post: # 78254Post lutonlagerlout

haggis?
can you help this fellow welshman
LLL
"what,you want paying today??"

YOUR TEXT GOES HERE

London Stone Paving
Posts: 2199
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 1:07 pm
Location: Surrey
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Post: # 78291Post London Stone Paving

Dust and recycled glass ? Hahaha

That's almost as bad as cement dust sprinkled on soil :laugh:

rimexboy
Posts: 916
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 8:31 pm

Post: # 78292Post rimexboy

is the recycled glass from the builders friday night session or what.... he must be out of his head... or a bodger!!!

Dave_L
Site Admin
Posts: 4732
Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:47 pm
Location: Somerset
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Post: # 78304Post Dave_L

The old cowboy radar is going full-chat!!!!
RW Gale Ltd - Civils & Surfacing Contractors based in Somerset

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