Pavers laid on builders sand

Jo443 · 1 Feb 2020

Hi

I have just finished building a small raised patio area.
I was recommended by a handyman I know that I could lay a sand base and then just sprinkle some cement on before i laid each slab (400mm x 400mm) for stability.

We laid a base of hardcore and then just about 1cm of sand, flattened it and then sprinkled some cement powder on before laying the slabs.

However just realized that we have made a mistake insofar as we used builders sand rather than sharp sand for the base above the hardcore.
After some reading I can see this was obviously the wrong thing to do. What I want to know is if we need to take all the pavers up and relay or if it will likely be fine. Im hoping that because it was just a thin layer over hardcore it wont be a problem??

After reading through articles I can see we have clearly done it wrong so I am not trying to find out if this is a viable method. Just wondering if it will likely be okay or if it all needs redoing? Thanks

sircerebus666 · 1 Feb 2020

Building sand doesn't lock together like sharp sand so it's no good as a base

Your handyman is not wrong you can just lay slabs on a sand base or use a mortar mix

You could see how the patio fairs and leave it or
personally I would be lifting the slabs and starting again chances are you will have to do this in the future anyway

Don't kick yourself too much we all make mistakes - we're all human after all

Diver Fred · 2 Feb 2020

I made the same mistake... It's been 4 years since done. Ground levelled with power compactor, weed fabric, 2 inches of sand compacted by hand then power compactor. Not moved in all that time even as use as motor cycle standing.

what I'm saying is how firm is the compacting of the sand to make the difference.

Jo443 · 2 Feb 2020

Thanks. Both of those are really useful, also just nice to hear that other folks make mistakes too. Its going to have a shed standing over about half of it so im tempted to just lift up the slabs infront of the shed that will be walked on.
Ill think about it over the weekend and then decide on a course of action on monday.
Sircerebus666 might be right though, might just add to my peace of mind to redo it all now.

scbk · 2 Feb 2020

Someone I know made the same mistake, slabs laid on soft sand.
He may aswell have laid the slabs on mud, they were all over the place, so he had to re-do it.

scott0904 · 11 Feb 2020

Hi, I'm not having a go at your method. I had a professional landscaper out and laid Indian sandstone mixed size slabs on a sand base. Type 1, sharp sand and all was compressed.

Two years later I had to have him out and rectify the loose slabs

scott0904 · 11 Feb 2020

scott0904 · 11 Feb 2020

I think they should be laid on a concrete bed as there is no stability in this way of doing it. In 5 years I think it's unacceptable to have them all pulled up and reset and repointed twice.

sircerebus666 · 11 Feb 2020

scott0904 said:
I think they should be laid on a concrete bed as there is no stability in this way of doing it. In 5 years I think it's unacceptable to have them all pulled up and reset and repointed twice.

You can use a mortar bed as another way of laying slabs but not concrete

foxhole · 11 Feb 2020

My Indian sandstone is laid on 100mm mortar mix on top of 120mm of concrete base, proper job.

Jo443 · 1 Mar 2020

In the end I took them all up and relaid on a bed of sharp sand

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Pavers laid on builders sand

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