1 year old patio. Is this settlement?

[Ivor Windybottom]

You can compact thoroughly, in thin layers, with multiple passes from different directions. Which takes a while.

Or you can give it a token single pass, lob the paving on top, take the money and run.

Hopefully it can be recovered. It needs the blocks taking off, someone who cares about what they're doing compacting the heck out of it and adding extra material where needed then putting the blocks back.

Hopefully it doesn't need digging out. But it might just be topsoil with a bit of sand on top, or a deep layer of coarse rubble that can't be compacted. in which case it does.

 

[FlamRackett]

You can compact thoroughly, in thin layers, with multiple passes from different directions. Which takes a while.

Or you can give it a token single pass, lob the paving on top, take the money and run.

Hopefully it can be recovered. It needs the blocks taking off, someone who cares about what they're doing compacting the heck out of it and adding extra material where needed then putting the blocks back.

Hopefully it doesn't need digging out. But it might just be topsoil with a bit of sand on top, or a deep layer of coarse rubble that can't be compacted. in which case it does.

Very helpful explanation, thank you.

Sorry for more (maybe silly) questions. Will this sink lower if I can't sort it right away. And does it pose an issue to the house?

Thanks again

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

I wouldn't bother pursuing anyone for money. It will take time and possibly money and you'll be likely to end up with little or nothing and probably a load of stress. Just learn from it, check references in future. Sadly trades are not regulated in the UK, anyone can buy a rusty van and start a business doing anything.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Will this sink lower if I can't sort it right away.

Probably

And does it pose an issue to the house?

No, not at all. It's no risk whatsoever so no need to rush or worry about it.

In fact it would be better to wait. See if any other parts do sink then decide. There is a chance that the rest of it is wonderful and it's just the one spot that needs lifting and raising. I doubt it but it's possible.

 

[FlamRackett]

I wouldn't bother pursuing anyone for money. It will take time and possibly money and you'll be likely to end up with little or nothing and probably a load of stress. Just learn from it, check references in future. Sadly trades are not regulated in the UK, anyone can buy a rusty van and start a business doing anything.

Thanks Ivor, lesson learned I guess. Have dealt with other tradesmen in the past with good experiences and came to trust this one.

Very helpful explanation, thank you.

Sorry for more (maybe silly) questions. Will this sink lower if I can't sort it right away. And does it pose an issue to the house?

Thanks again

Just wanted to check the above, thank you.

 

[FlamRackett]

Probably



No, not at all. It's no risk whatsoever so no need to rush or worry about it.

Phew! That's a big relief. My main concern was it affecting the housing structure or integrity.

You've truly put my mind at ease, thanks so much.

 

[FlamRackett]

Probably



No, not at all. It's no risk whatsoever so no need to rush or worry about it.

In fact it would be better to wait. See if any other parts do sink then decide. There is a chance that the rest of it is wonderful and it's just the one spot that needs lifting and raising. I doubt it but it's possible.

Just seen your update and that makes sense. There's other sections where it's sinking slightly but not like this bigger dip.
You've made me feel better about the situation, so thank you. Was near enough tearing my hair out!

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Your garden could be 100% soil (as it probably was when built) and your house would be fine.

Keep them as your pet puddles for a while, enjoy watching the birds bathing and drinking!

If it was anything other than block paving it would be a much bigger issue.

 

[FlamRackett]

Your garden could be 100% soil (as it probably was when built) and your house would be fine.

Keep them as your pet puddles for a while, enjoy watching the birds bathing and drinking!

If it was anything other than block paving it would be a much bigger issue.

That's a good point about the soil.

The kids love water play so maybe it'll be an extra puddle for splashing!

Thanks again, you've been a tremendous help.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

To ruin the relaxed tone slightly, check the non-sunken parts with your level, check it does all slope away from your house. If it doesn't then it definitely all needs to come up.

How old is your house, and what's the height difference between the damp proof course and paving?

 

[FlamRackett]

To ruin the relaxed tone slightly, check the non-sunken parts with your level, check it does all slope away from your house. If it doesn't then it definitely all needs to come up.

How old is your house, and what's the height difference between the damp proof course and paving?

No problem. I've looked left to right and it does slope away from the right-side of the house, towards side passage which leads to a gate and gap underneath, supposedly for intended drainage.

House is 1960's build, semi-detached.

I've measured at one point and it's 60mm between the DPC and paving.

I've attached some pictures below of the drain the company fitted, after 6 months of chasing. They cut through to the downpipe ans made a concrete slope to it.
There is missing sand from some lifted pavers that I intend to fill in.

To the left of the image is the side passage leading to the front. And in front of the the drain is where the dip is most prevelant.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

I'd say you need to get someone skilled and bothered in to look at it all as a potential blank canvas and decide what's best.

It's impossible to say just from a photo. Normally an aco drain next to the house would be an absolute last resort where there's a natural slope that way. It would be very preferable to slope away into an aco further away, perhaps running down the centre. That looks like a botch, in terms of where it is and the standard of finish.

The absolute worst case is that it all needs to come up. But even then you still get to re-use all the blocks and hopefully the material beneath so it's not as major as it sounds.

 

[FlamRackett]

I'd say you need to get someone skilled and bothered in to look at it all as a potential blank canvas and decide what's best.

It's impossible to say just from a photo. Normally an aco drain next to the house would be an absolute last resort where there's a natural slope that way. It would be very preferable to slope away into an aco further away, perhaps running down the centre. That looks like a botch, in terms of where it is and the standard of finish.

The absolute worst case is that it all needs to come up. But even then you still get to re-use all the blocks and hopefully the material beneath so it's not as major as it sounds.

Thanks for the advice. To be honest, the more time goes on the more I think it was bodged.

I understand if you can't be certain, but would it be OK to leave as is for now? Don't have the money to sort in the near future as had car trouble just before Christmas. Main concern is the structural integrity of the house, what with the DPC and movement etc. So far I haven't noticed any changes in or out the house.

 

[noseall]

Thanks for the advice. To be honest, the more time goes on the more I think it was bodged.

Not necessarily no. As I said, wackering (compacting) can be very unpredictable depending on sand thickness, water cotent and whether the sand was previously compacted prior to paving etc.

Lifting and re-laying happens a lot where traffic is concentrated. We have rectified and worked on a few regards jobs we have been on. Getting the first block out is the hardest part..

sunk2.jpg

• noseall
• 24 Jan 2025

sunk1.jpg

• noseall
• 24 Jan 2025

sunk3.jpg

• noseall
• 24 Jan 2025

sunk4.jpg

• noseall
• 24 Jan 2025

 

[FlamRackett]

Not necessarily no. As I said, wackering (compacting) can be very unpredictable depending on sand thickness, water cotent and whether the sand was previously compacted prior to paving etc.

Lifting and re-laying happens a lot where traffic is concentrated. We have rectified and worked on a few regards jobs we have been on. Getting the first block out is the hardest part..

sunk2.jpg

• noseall
• 24 Jan 2025

sunk1.jpg

• noseall
• 24 Jan 2025

sunk3.jpg

• noseall
• 24 Jan 2025

sunk4.jpg

• noseall
• 24 Jan 2025

Hi noseall, thanks for reply and pics.

Interesting that the dip in that 1st photo is near a manhole cover, as mine also is (probably should have mentioned that)
The manhole itself was completely covered by old patio (not our doing) and the company that fit the block paving discovered it. They raised up the manhole with cement and fit a cover, with blocks inside it. Very similar to the one in your photos.
I understand dips are likely to occur near manholes. Is that correct?