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Posted: Tue May 31, 2005 7:03 pm
by ns64
Hi there, I have a patio area of 2.5 x 2.5, quite small. I have removed my old hideous patio and am no left with some pretty hard clay soil (see pictures attached, ignore the sample slabs)
The question is it worth getting hardcore for this small area. The cost would be quite high since I would need a compactor, hardcore, delivery etc. But I wanted to get a second opinion on this.
The soil is clay so its quite tuff. I just bought a few bags of sand/concrete mixture today. Could I just put that straight over? make sure its flat etc. The ground is quite bumpy. Could I just hire a compactor and flattern the soil first.
My main worry is getting the base level and smooth. Whats your experience on building a patio of this size to quality.
Any other tips, guides on building patios would be really helpful. No Patios for Dummys books out there I;m afraid 
.
Thanks guys
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 12:12 pm
by Tony McC
Hardcore? Pre-mixed sand/cement? You've not bothered reading the main website, have you?
If you had, you'd have learned that "hardcore" is not a term we normally use, and that it isn't always necessary for a patio project. Further, you'd have also found the answers to all your questions, and more, including all those "tips and guides" you've been looking for.
You went to the trouble of finding out how to post images, so why didn't you pay attention to the link at the top of every page which advises reading the main website before posting absolutely basic questions?
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 4:43 pm
by ns64
As you know its all good and well having things textbook, but I wanted some practical advice .
Everyones situation is different, soil, depth, size, flags etc. Sorry for using a word..it clearly offends you that I use "hardcore". I thought this was a forum [a public facility for open discussion , or in your case a public facility for restrcited discussion according to your rules], I didnt realise to post a message you had to read the whole website first, and every question and answer has to be within your website's information domain.
I was simply hoping to get other views and opinions. have read your website but I'm sure that's not the only way, and the only correct way. I will look for another "paving forum" and seek help from another building pro.
Sorry if i caused you any suffering and inconvenience for using the word hardcore and premixed sand/cement.
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 8:34 pm
by mouldmaker
Tony - I suggest you set up an 0898 premium rate advice line - you could earn a small fortune answering all these questions in as much detail as people wanted.
Or would people call you expecting a different sort of hardcore?
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 9:30 pm
by Tony McC
I already spend at least 4 hours each and every day answering emails and telephone calls. From March to October, I typically receive 250 email questions per day and 20-30 phone calls. The idea of charging for my time has crossed my mind on more than one occasion!
What pisses me off is folk that just can't be arsed reading the main website yet demand specific advice for their project but don't want to be told to read what's been written before - they seem to think they have a right to demand individual attention. Why?
To Sunny - yes! I do expect you to read the main website before posting questions here. That's why it says as much at the top of the page. Why do you think it's ok to demand personal, professional advice, at no cost to yourself, when you can't even be arsed to look up answers for yourself?
Go and find some other paving forum and ask your basic questions. The odds are you'll be referred back to this website, and it's pretty unlikely that anyone will provide you with the sort of in-depth info I provide on this site. This is, as you say, a public facility for discussion according to my rules. It's my website; I pay all the costs and charges; I devote all of my free time and a lot of time that isn't really free, to its upkeep and maintenance; I make no money from it because adverts would compromise my impartiality; I answer the vast majority of questions posted here, and those submitted by phone, fax and email .... you're damned right it's going to be done on my terms! I am not a slave for you or for anyone else!