The Brew Cabin

Hi there - I'm the crazy Scot trying to lay a flagstone patio by hand in a Texas summer.

Not only is it bloody hot here, but it can rain a hell of a lot. And after I barrowed in my sub-base, but before I could compact it, that's exactly what it did - rained a LOT (several inches I'd guess).

Now my sub-base is 'squishy' (is that the technical term? ;-). When I walk on it, my feet sink in up to 15mm or so. The depth varies - some parts seem pretty solid, others don't (I assume this is due to a crappy distribution of fines).

Can I compact it like this? Or should I wait until it dries out? Or something else....

(the sub-base if 4 to 6 inches thick, if that's any help).

Thx

I went out this morning & the sub-base seems to have sunk about 35mm from yesterday morning!

Is this due to the rain?

I presume the only way to bring it back up to the required height is to add more sub-base?

If the sub-base has sunk by 35mm or so, then it must be due to that crazy Texan rain (God's revenge on George W, probably!), but it is actually a "good thing". Think about it - it has washed down all the fines to ensure you have a really solid sub-base that is unlikely to settle any further.

Top it up as required, re-compact and all will be well (touch chipboard!) :)

Thx. I'll let you know how I get on, though it could be a while before I have more time to spend on this.