Blocks to face old Patio

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24 Oct 2010
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Surrey
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United Kingdom
I've got an old crazy paving patio, which while still structurally good, look its age, so I’m planning on facing it with blocks.
My plan is (after pressure washing) to cement the outside rows in with a mix of 3 sand to 1 cement to form a strong outside frame.
For the middl I’m planning on putting 2cm of sand or sand / cement mix to lay the blocks on top of.
The current patio is at a slight angle to keep water away from the house which is good and I intend to keep that angle.
I’m worried that any water will eventually liquefy the sand. so I thought about either putting a number of holes in the 2cm layer of cement on the lower level to let the water out, but then the sand will also leave, making the blocks uneven over time. The other options I thought of were
1. Break the cement in-between the crazy paving to allow water to leak though, although I suspect there will be some movement, but not as much as before.
2. Use a dry bonded mix of 10 sand to 1 cement mix to hold the main area of the blocks in place. The water will simply run off and water my lawn.

Either way given the thickness I was wondering if tamping the sand down with a vibrating plate was required with such a little depth.

Any views or other options?
 
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Don't understand what you mean. Face it with blocks? Do you mean slab over the top of your old paving?
Personally I'd take up the old and lay new on a properly compacted base.
 
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I would always recommend starting over completely on a paving project but if you want to compromise You could lay flags over it on a full bed of mortar.

Your concern about liquified sand is correct so you must use a bound mortar bedding.

You can lay block paving over a rigid bed of screed but it is difficult. If you want to try it I can describe one technique. Flags would be easier.
 

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