Page 1 of 1
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2018 6:34 pm
by Danjc
Hi first post.
I have been lurking for a while so now I have started my garden I thought it was time to join/post.
So old crappy poorly laid patio has come up
https://i.imgur.com/L9CwSM5.jpg
and I’m left with this
https://i.imgur.com/5wUcOZH.jpg
So the concrete next to the patio doors is staying but the slabs I have exposed that are laid into compacted earth are obviously coming up.
Once the second lot of slabs are up I take it I’m ok to hardcore the lot and wacker it down (around 150mm deep) so it’s the same level as the existing concrete.
I’m hoping this will be good for my base to lay the new patio on.
Cheers, Dan.
Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2018 1:49 pm
by Tony McC
How difficult would it be to break out that concrete? If it's at all possible, I'd get rid of it, for two reasons:
1 - at its current level, if you lay a bed and a flag touy will be less than 150mm below the dpc, which wouldn't normally be too much of a problem is it weren't for that airbrick just to the left of the patio doors.
2 - you will need to ensure that the sub-base you lay is absolutely compacted to refusal or there is a risk of differential settlement between the flags laid over the concrete bqase and those laid over a flexible/unbound sub-base.
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 8:18 pm
by Danjc
Thanks for the reply and advice it’s definitely appreciated.
I had not considered the possibility of settlement of the type 1. I put 3 bulk bags of type 1 down at the weekend and bringing the levels right with the existing concrete slab are throwing levels out with other areas as I want the new patio to sit flush with the entrance to my existing concrete imprinted driveway.
As I need a little more type 1 anyway I think I will dig a small hole next to the concrete slab to see how deep it is and if feasible and for the sake of a days hire of a breaker take it up. I have a skip at the minute anyway so all good there.
I will pop a pic up tomorrow of what I currently have.
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 12:06 pm
by Tony McC
A couple of hefty smacks withn a sledgehammer will often 'persuade' smaller concrete slabs to surender without the need for a breaker. 
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 4:06 pm
by Danjc
So I dug down and got to over 12� deep with no sight of the bottom so not looking good and I’m guessing maybe the slab has been there since the house was built ?
I even drilled a few random holes to see if the depth was consistent and it was so I’m a bit unsure of how to proceed so any advice would be very appreciated.
A few pics.....
What I currently have
https://i.imgur.com/iX0tZuP.jpg
The slab
https://i.imgur.com/AVgp8fl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/B5vW8vh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/oKdsN5L.jpg
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:49 pm
by seanandruby
Not good. How old is the house. Could be a faft foundation for something long since demolished or cover slab for something, a well
Maybe you could build a step on rhe concrete ???
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:13 am
by Tony McC
That *does* look structural, so I;d leave well alone.
I like Sean's idea of building a step or a raised area over it.
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 6:41 am
by Danjc
I went ahead and broke out the top 3 inch or so of the slab before I read your advice to leave alone.
I could be wrong but I think that the slab has been there from when around the house was built due to the fact that the rear ground level is lower than the front.
The grassed area which I believe is the original ground level is the same level as everyone else’s garden on the road so I’m guessing the slab was there for when you came out the original back door then probably some steps to the garden.
I’m not ignoring any advice given lads or being a know it all as all your feedback and advice is really appreciated.
Pic of the levels of the garden....,
https://i.imgur.com/V89AYr9.jpg
These are my choice of flags in glacier http://www.stonemarket.co.uk/product....-paving (project pack) and I plan to use a moist mix, individual bed, flags backed with sbr and use white cement with the bed about 40mm deep.
I have read so much on here lately that my head is spinning with info so am I better going with a 10-1 mix or 6-1 or a combination of the two with the 6-1 being on the existing concrete slab or is mixing strengths a no no.
Hopefully I’m more or less on the right track but again your feedback is appreciated.
Cheers, Dan.
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 12:06 pm
by lutonlagerlout
Dan the "artic" granite is almost certainly the infamous chinese G603 granite
I could be wrong
but it is bloody hard to keep clean
I notice you have a trampoline =young people
I would strongly suggest an easier maintenance stone,kandla grey if you like a light colour is very easy to keep clean
http://www.londonstone.co.uk/stone-p....-paving
or if the budget allows
http://www.londonstone.co.uk/stone-p....-paving
I have used both these stones on family terraces and years on they still look good
cheers LLL 
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 6:58 pm
by Danjc
That doesn’t sound good !!!! All paid for now though........ what type of problems do you mean in keeping clean ?
Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 1:33 am
by lutonlagerlout
just generally high maintenance
LLL
Posted: Tue May 22, 2018 12:36 am
by Danjc
I pretty much finished putting the paving down at the weekend https://imgur.com/a/nNnv9Vj and I’m now at the pointing stage.
I know it’s gets asked loads but I’m unsure of which direction to go in. I’m not going the Stonemarket resin fast point route as it’s not recommended by them for there granite but
They recommend flow point which I don’t fancy due to the fast curing time and they also recommend a waterproof external grout which I’m unsure what to pick and could also do without getting as little as possible on the surface due to the nature of the stone.
My idea is to hopefully use a mortar gun (5mm joints !) with either a silver sand, white cement mix with plasticiser or Larsen gun point mortar.
My only worry is I get picture framing after I do it so any advice and recommendations are appreciated.
