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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 8:51 pm
by Heed
A quick question for one of you knowledgeable chaps. I'll be using the whacker to make sure that the mud is solid before I put the base on it. Do you whacker the base or will it be too wet? Excuse my question if it's stupid but I'd rather do it right and not have to pull the slabs back up, or have a whacker set into sand and cement!
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:03 pm
by lutonlagerlout
you cannot wack mud mate
thats why we asked about a subbase
you could put down an inch of sand cement mix dry and wack that
but realistically all the top soil should be out
topsoil being the black stuff
cheers LLL
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:06 pm
by Heed
I'll go for some dry mix then wack that. I've been stamping the mud in and it's going OK but I'd like a really solid base. After wacking dry mix is it worth sprinkling it with a bit of water before putting the proper base on top?
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:08 pm
by Heed
The problem with removing topsoil here is that I could be digging forever. I tried digging very deep earlier and got to 9 inches before I hit pure clay. 
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:14 pm
by rab1
you really want a sub base of type 1, as this will not move.
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:19 pm
by Heed
Well my paving and sand isn't arriving until Friday. I might make a call tomorrow and order a subbase. This involves loads more digging but I suppose it's worth it for a good job.
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:46 pm
by rab1
how can i put it, would you build a house without a foundation?. you made the correct choice.
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 10:37 pm
by lutonlagerlout
Heed wrote:The problem with removing topsoil here is that I could be digging forever. I tried digging very deep earlier and got to 9 inches before I hit pure clay.
if you lay it on topsoil i t wont last
sods law that you have a load of topsoil in the garden you want rid of
LLL
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 12:10 am
by London Stone Paving
lutonlagerlout wrote:you cannot wack mud mate
thats why we asked about a subbase
you could put down an inch of sand cement mix dry and wack that
but realistically all the top soil should be out
topsoil being the black stuff
cheers LLL
Its callled tough love
Doing a good job, keep going with it.
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 9:29 am
by Heed
I'm feeling the tough love this morning. My legs and shoulders are ruined!
Skip is due in 30 minutes so that will mean I can start clearing out the garden properly. There's also 2 tons of sub-base added to the order for tomorrow now. I'm hoping that the patio will look good after all this graft.
The plan is to clear the garden and sort the levels today. Lay the sub-base first thing tomorrow. Wack that down, recheck levels then crack on with mixing the base and laying slabs. I'm just hoping the weather holds out now. And that my angle grinder and pavers maul turn up today or tomorrow.
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 5:44 pm
by dig dug dan
I considered a mini excavator but it was £135 for a week.
for a week? a "doorway digger"? thats cheap. I charge mine out at £80 a day. How can the hire companies make money at that rate??
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 5:49 pm
by DNgroundworks
£80.00 a day? i pay £35.00 for a micro, i can get js130 for 85 quid a day plus vat and haulage!
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:15 pm
by lutonlagerlout
its grim oop north :;):
LLL
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:23 pm
by DNgroundworks
lutonlagerlout wrote:its grim oop north :;):
LLL
Sure is!
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:25 pm
by DNgroundworks
Just out of interest how much does labour differ from north/south?
Best way with the sub-base, i tried wacking soil once, unless you have a special wacker you will get stuck! Although i have laid garden paths on 100mm lean mix straight on to clay with no problems