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Any general advice on using a plate compactor? Never used one before. Picking one up tomorrow morning to wack down about 4" of type 1 before laying slabs. Seems to be obvious enough, just passing over until compacted 'to refusal'...but as I'm discovering there's always something I will...

Actually. Having thougth about it, would there be any reason not to just extend the height of the concrete race to the height required with timber formwork? Therefore replacing the need for any kerb pieces? With the mot flush with this?

Got you. Thanks. I suppose in areas of heavy use, like steps etc, then going a bit OTT on strength is no bad thing. Ta.

Cheers. I wasn't aware of this product/technique. I just need something to retain the hardcore bed - it won't be seen so just square cut will be fine to I can lay the slab edges on top/vertically against. Lay on standard mortar?

Any of you guys got any suugestions for how I go about preparing the area prior to laying a compacted hardcore/mot sub base? Basically I've got few edges of the new patio that will be 'free'. In other words not butted up to a wall or anything solid. Eventually some of these edges will have...

Well yes. Absolutely! Although I've never seen the two things to compare, it makes complete sense what you suggest. Thanks for hangin' in there for all us novices! We certainly appreciate all the advice from people who do this stuff day in, day out. Cheers mate.

Ah, no sorry, Stonemarket mean 40mm sharp sand bed and then mortar down onto this base. However, your advice seems to be mortar straight onto compacted mot/hardcore. I wondered which was best/differences in method. They're the new 'Horizon' slabs (machine cut on 6 sides, very smooth, buff...

The main reason I asked (rather than just go along with it) is that Stonemarket, who manufacture the blumin stuff, recommend a 40mm sharp sand base and therefore I wondered (a) why and (b) what the advantages of each alternative is...

Cheers Thermo. I get the feeling you've had to say the same thing a few too many times recently...? :wink:

I've actually dug down about 2 inches thinking I'd be using a 2 inch sharp sand bed. So I suppose I'm really asking which you reckon would be better to mortar onto? compacted hardcore or sand? So a strong mix with half sharp, half building ok? I've actually be digging down to get some...

I was about to write a new post but this thread is so closely related I thought I'd add on... I'm about to lay 480x480 sandstone slabs, 22mm thick, supplied by Stonemarket. They are smooth-cut both sides. Here: http://www.stonemarket.co.uk/horizon.asp When I read the technical...

Nice one. Hadn't thought of that. I'll do three or four face down courses then revert back to normal. Thanks for the help.

Yep - membrane, perforated pipe and type A gravel all sorted (topped with hardcore backfill). So basically, with those footings I'm doing the right thing. That's good news. With regards the base blockwork, http://www.pavingexpert.com/featur03.htm shows a diagram of a thicker lower...

Hello to all! This is my first post so go gentle! Seems like a popular question this and I have spent a great deal of time reading previous posts and info on pavingexpert.com. However, the more I read the more I get confused and doubt myself. Oh dear. Anyhow, I am constructing a garden...