The Brew Cabin

HELP !
I'm laying a patio at the top of my garden, on an area that used to be grassed. Incidentally one edge of what will be the new patio was planted with leylandii, I've cut these down but the roots remain, will they unsettle my patio or will they die off ? Anyway back to the main question, I have taken up the grass in one area & the ground is reasonably firm, the soil has a high clay content. However I am in a total quandry as to how to lay the patio, I am using Bradstone weathered slabs (flags?) of various dimensions up to 600x600 all of which are 40mm thick the area will be aprox 4m square. I have layed slabs before, usually using the method you seem to dislike with a passion, namely the 5 blobs of mortar. What would be the best bed for me to put down, you talk about sand/cement screeds etc. Would I need to use a hardcore base for such light usage ? If I use a sand/cement bed do I still lay a solid mortar bed to lay the slabs on & if so what is the best ratio for the mix. I know this is all basic stuff but I want to make a good job of it, I have completely ripped out my garden of 20 years maturity & am starting afresh now that the kids are older & no longer use it as a football pitch etc. I have read so many different methods & been given so much 'good' advice, but having scanned your site you obviously know what youre talking about, whatever advice you give I will be guided by. ps... I will also be putting down a bed of chippings with slabs dropped in here & there, I have read your piece on laying these & will work to it. However could you advise me on the best depth of chippings to lay & do I need to put down that weed retarding sheeting stuff underneath, I know you don't recommend it under patios. Once again thankyou, I'm desperate for a guiding hand & I shall definitely return to this site for future advice. Thankyou in advance for your time & valued help.

Roots - small fibrous roots aren't a serious problem, but any roots more than 5mm or so in diameter can lead to minior settlement if not removed before laying the paving.

Spot bedding - I don't "dislike with a passion" the spot bedding without good reason. I dislike it, and never, ever recommend its use because it's crap. It's amateurish, crappy, stupid and causes no end of problems in the long term. I don't care what it shows in the brochures and catalogues from the manufacturers or Garden DIY books, there is no case whatsover, in any of the British Standards or other 'professional' documents that support the use of spot bedding. Consider yourself told! ;)

The bedding I usually recommend for patios is a 35-50mm thick layer of git sand with 10% cement. Whether you lay that as a screed or as individual bedding is up to you, but all this is covered in great detail on the Laying Flags page.

There is no great need for a sub-base or a layer of mortar unless you are building up levels, and then a sub-base should be used to ensure that the bedding layer is not more than 50mm in depth.

Chipping and flags - keep the depth of chippings to around 50mm - to use more than 50mm is just wasteful when you could 'fill up' with a cheaper, less decorative material, such as sub-base or even old sand and cement waste, and just rely on the more expensive decorative chippins as a surface dressing. I wouldn't bother with a weed membrane as they won't stop weeds from growing into the chippings and, if your sub-base is properly prepared, then no weeds should be left to come up through the chippings. However, a weed membrane won't do any harm, other than cause an unnecessary lightening of the wallet, but, if you prefer to use one, then you can do so.

Not much of a weather forecast for the DIY Weekend - I'm almost glad I don't have to lay any paving! :)

Thanks very much for your speedy reply, as I said I will follow your instructions & ignore any other 'experts' who offer words of wisdom. I've just come in from the garden (bomb site), I've been digging roots up until the rain got the better of me. It seemed a great idea on paper to completely re-design my garden, its not until you start the labouring that you realise what a task you've taken on but I'm still at the enthusiastic stage, just fed up of dodging the rain. Anyway once again thanks for your help, no doubt with the job I've taken on I shall return for more help.