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New patio

ncuncu Posts: 5
in Problem solving

Hi,

I would love to have a patio on my back garden. at the moment I have a very narrow concrete area by the back wall and then the garden follows up.

I am on a very small budget and I wanted to put pavers / slabs with some decorative gravel in between them. 

Is this possible? the is 10 cm between the concrete and the door threshold so I would like to raise the patio by that much.

My idea was to put fabric and enough sand whilst still allowing enough gap for the slab thickness?

Many thanks!

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,399

    Beware of changing the levels next to the building. The 10cm gap is probably there for a reason - to make sure the surface of the paving is well below the damp proof course. You may be able to get away with mortaring slabs directly onto the concrete if you leave a margin around the edge and fill that with loose gravel.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,636

    Also, just laying slabs on sand is asking for trouble.  Rain will filter in, wash it away and leave your slabs very unstable and then dangerously uneven.   Better to set them in a thin layer of concrete and make sure they slope very slightly away from the house so you don't invite problems with damp.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • ncuncu Posts: 5

    Thank you so much for the replies. the 10cm gap I am taking about is the step down from the house onto the garden.

    I was thinking on raising the patio so there is no too much of a step and then extend out. At the concrete extends out by about 60cm? so in honesty most of the new patio would be on top of soil.

    I was also thinking of not starting to place the slabs directly by the wall but as WillDB says leave a gap between the wall and the slab of about 5cm and fill that with the loss gravel? will this help with damp proof?

    what can I put that will secure my slabs a bit more? I have looked online and I always see fabric to stopp weeds and then builders sand under the slabs. Maybe a mix sand?

    Many thanks?

    Last edited: 26 June 2017 11:46:26

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,636

    Cement is the usual medium for fixing slabs.  

    Before closing that 10cm gap, check where your damp proof course is and any air bricks.  Going up to that level or higher will knacker them and be hugely detrimental to the fabric of your house.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • ncuncu Posts: 5
    Obelixx says:

    Cement is the usual medium for fixing slabs.  

    Before closing that 10cm gap, check where your damp proof course is and any air bricks.  Going up to that level or higher will knacker them and be hugely detrimental to the fabric of your house.

    See original post

     Thank you!! I will  check that out straight away.

  • ncuncu Posts: 5

    Just wanted to say...

    My neighbour says the whole house and current concrete area is built on top of a DPC membrane. I have actually noticed that the concrete area is not wet for long and even though it is flat there are never any paddles. Does this make sense or is it not true?

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,636

    If it is, you shouldn't cover the concrete with anything but build your terrace beyond it.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • ncuncu Posts: 5
    Thank you @Obelixx.This is what it looks like now. I am surprised that we cannot go over the concrete as a surveyor that came to look at the back to make it more easily accessible for my husband who is disabled suggested to raise it up with concrete in the first place and extend out ?
    image

     

    Last edited: 26 June 2017 15:59:46

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