How to sort patio over old rubble

[sjmtlewy]

Short version: Not sure how to sort old patio layed over very loose rubble.

Long version: There is a stepped patio going up to the front of my house. Several of the slabs had dropped by an inch or two, so I had the bright idea of lifting the problem slabs and sorting it out. I only wanted to sort this one section, as most of the rest is okish. My plan was to level and reset the dodgy bit, then repoint the lot.

Turns out this section had been layed on a sand and cement base, but this was floating over two inches of air and then what must be a foot or two of big loose rubble - we're talking big bits of roof tile, brick, half patio slabs etc. There's a slope in the ground level, so this section has had to be built up to the height of the house. Loads of air pockets all the way through, one large enough for a mouse to live in!

What are my options for sorting this? Does all the rubble need to come out? can I lay some sort of subbase on top, or pour over concrete?

Don't worry about the orange bucket - my son thought throwing water at it would solve the problem

 

[nitro23456]

Smash those bits up to hardcore, add some MOT as needed, compact it all and lay your slabs on a good base of mortar.