weve dug out a 13 foot by 13 foot area
9 inches deep…we put down 4 inches or grade 8 gravel compacted it with a compacter…the brick has a thickness of 2 38 …the problem is the compatcer
pressed our gravel down so much i need about 3 inches of sand..what do i do? ive heard we should only use about 1 inch of sand …this is my first time at this and i want the patio to last a long time………thanks nowhereman
Replies
Sand.... 4" is great if you can do it... 3" is good
Get a 3rd more of loose sand than you need to alow for compaction..
CC or washed construcion sand works great...
Dampen...
Compact...
Grade to suit...
Pavers / bricks....
1/2" or so of sand...
Run the plate tamper over that...
Fix yur low spots...
Work the sand sitting on the pavers / bricks into the joints with a broom..
Enjoy...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming....
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Inspectors in NY and MI would not allow us to place more than 1" of sand for our laying bed.
There is probably a reason for that :)
However -- in sunny Fla, we would just heap sand on top of sand for commercial and residential driveways, walks etc.
My recommendation is to bring in another 2" of grade 8 or crusher run. Or, depending upon your location -- (lime) stone dust might make a good substitute. It definitely compacts better than sand.
There is a reason that your substrate compacted so much. If you want the patio to last (and remain flat) bring in more substrate.
If a few waves and a bit of settling over the next few years wouldn't bother you -- just fill it up with sand.
Edited 6/26/2004 5:37 pm ET by petmonkey
I like the stone dust -- sand seems to wash away after a few years -- I'd only use 1" of sand and would work some motar mix in with it to stablize 3-4 bags for 13x13 would be fine
More stone. Four inches will compact to about 3. Use string lines to make sure it's relatively flat, say within 3/4". Also make sure you have slope for water drainage, about 1/4" per foot. It seems like a lot of slope when you first look at it, but after the patio is done and the lawn finished, you'll not notice it.
I'd recommend stone dust rather than sand for the layer between the stone and the brick. It compacts well, and ants don't like it. Lay down something long and straight to act as guides for a screed. Half inch or three quarter inch nominal steel pipe (about 3/4" or 1" diameter actual) make good guides. Screed the stone dust precisely flat, but don't compact it. Lay the brick on the uncompacted dust. You'll have to do it in sections so you can reach to lay the brick. When all the brick are laid, use a vibrating plate compactor to compact them in to the dust, beginning at the outside and spiraling in.
Finish off with sweeping and compacting dry sand into the joints.