The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Tue Aug 08, 2006 3:49 pm**

Hi, Well there's not a shortage of info on this site that's for sure. I'm now armed with too much infomation. But its an excellent free resource, so thanks for that.

1. I'm laying a 5 x 5m patio. Using 50mm harcore. 50mm sand, random pattern slabs on top using 10:1 mix. This sound OK?

2. Can I put my hardcore and sand down and leave it for a week, or should I plan to get the whole project done in a day/weekend?

3. Whats the best way to deal with a manhole cover cruelly sitting in my projected patio. Im a total paving newbie so the tray option looks tricky, but I can give it a shot if you think a novice can achieve a good looking result.

Many thanks in advance for any feedback, however brutal

Posted: **Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:40 pm**

good luck mate you will need it, really you need to make sure you have dug out enough first ;300ng mm below dpc if you are using 50 mm hardcore 50 mm bed and i take it 50 mm slab
the hardcore really needs to be vibrated with a 1 ton (this is the force it gives) wacker ,which you can hire.
if you leave the manhole you need to make sure it is in the same plane as the patio i.e. the straight line from 150 mm below dpc falling maybe 50 mm to the edge of the patio
it will look pants if this doesnt happen
i know because my father in law laid his own patio with the manhole 2.5 inches higher than the slabs,plus he started slabbing from both ends!!! work that one out
the whole lot had to be skipped then i started agin (yes it was a love job before anyone asks

i would estimate if you are physically fit it might take you 2-3 days to dig out ,stone, lay slabs ,point slabs and clear up
hope this helps
tony

Posted: **Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:18 pm**

Good to see others get the 'Love jobs'

:laugh:

Posted: **Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:57 pm**

you are never quite as popular if you are a desk jockey ,as when you say those magic words to a prospective in law "i am a builder" i tell people now i am a flint knapper which generaly throws them

Posted: **Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:17 am**

Thanks a lot for your reply

I've dug out plenty deep already. So I guess I just need to get started.

I'm aware it's not the trickiest job in the world, but its one of those easy when you know how ones....and I'm keen to get it right first time!

As for the manhole, well, we'll see about that. its not even level, just to add an extra dimesnsion.

The Brew Cabin

Patio : manhole cover prob and qu's