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Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 11:05 pm
by Dermo
Hi
Ok, I've already mentioned my new patio under a different subject, but this new problem I feel warrants a new subject!
Just now I ventured out to the garden to to rescue some potted tomato plants from the apocalyptic downpour that's been occuring here over the past few days (talkin' about A LOT of rain). While returning to the house across said patio, (Indian Sandstone slabs dry-laid a week ago, raised approx 6 inches high on sand , bordered by cemented cobble stones), the slabs began to give way beneath me, up-turning and sinking into the sand like the patio's turned to a swamp! Can someone please tell me whether this is normal behaviour for a newly-laid patio or have I been the victim of a dud tradesman? Surely I should be able to walk on my patio regardless of the weather without fear of being sucked into the centre of the earth?! What can I do??!!
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 12:52 am
by local patios and driveway
what ever has been done its not right, got any pics and a few more details on what you know has been done under the slabs specifically?
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 5:42 am
by lutonlagerlout
oh dear
sounds like a 100% bodge
sorry LLL
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 7:02 am
by seanandruby
Need to know what he dug out, what sub base was used, what bedding material he used, any drainage he placed etc: Maybe a photo, or two.
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 10:13 am
by Hawk
dosen`t sound clever, try and post some photo`s to see if we
can help you out
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 12:19 pm
by Dermo
Hi all
Thanks very much for replies. Find below 3 photos of the patio (hope they post ok).
Beneath the slabs, here's what he did: dug out grass sods, took away loose soil, placed a sheet of membrane, then fine grain sand (rather like what you'd find on a beach) sloping to a height of about 6 inches for slabs to be flush with back door. The patio is edged with a cobbled planting border (cobbles not level but that's another matter).
Your further comments / opinions / advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 12:21 pm
by Dermo
Arrrgghh, having awful trouble getting photos up. Will keep trying....
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 12:25 pm
by msh paving
how to load photos
MSH 
Edited By msh paving on 1278847618
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 12:35 pm
by Dermo
Thanks MSH, but it's getting the photos onto a web space that the forum willl accept that's the problem 
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 12:40 pm
by msh paving
the forum accepts just about every photo storage MSH
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 1:22 pm
by seanandruby
Sand seems to deep at 6 inches. Fine grain sand does'nt sound good either. We await photos.
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 1:54 pm
by Dermo
Thanks seanandruby, thought too it seemed a bit deep for just sand, but I trusted the guy knew what he was doing. Anyway, I've given up trying to post photos from the web, so hopefully these links will do instead...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51932858@N07/4782964640/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51932858@N07/4782330001/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51932858@N07/4782329927/in/photostream/
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 3:07 pm
by lutonlagerlout
sadly dermo thats a fail
whole thing needs to come up and be relaid properly
LLL
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 4:48 pm
by Mikey_C
Dermo wrote:"placed a sheet of membrane"
when you say membrane, do you mean black/blue "plastic" damp proof membrane or a weed fabric in grey/brown??
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 5:11 pm
by Dermo
Thanks LLL; that's the sad reality of it alright, I will either try tackling it myself with some help or get a pro in!
Mikey_C, it was a blue plastic membrane he used - the proper type I think?