laying a patio area?!?

[Anthonyox10]

Hey all

So out the back of the flats where i live we have a "garden" area that was overrun with brambles, weeds etc. I have cleared it of these nasties but whats left is a large area of dirt.
The idea is to build a patio area on it. I have the slabs (free from a neighbor) and i also have some membrane that im gunna put down.

My question to you all is: do i have to dig out where in going to lay the slabs? Or can i just make the area flat and put them straight on without digging at all?

Obviously im goin to put down some sand/cement mix before i lay them i just wondered if it makes much of a difference if i dig in, or will it still work by putting the mix straight ontop of the soil and then the slabs?

Hope that makes sense
Thanks

[Potstubsdustbins]

It really does depend on how long you want it to last.

Professionals would dig out and put in a layer of hard core, run over this with a compactor other wise known as a wacker before laying slabs. If you don't do this the ground will settle and allow the slabs to move over time.

This is OK on your private land but on public access space's different rules apply it could quite easily become a trip hazard and you could quite easily be sued for damages.

[Anthonyox10]

Hey thanks for your reply. Literally this piece of land is ours and hasn't been touched in about 4 years. The area that im planning on laying slabs is only about 4mx1.3m and backs up against a hedge. We plan to put a fence around our area to stop the little asbos gettin on it haha. Can see it only being used in the summer minths to sit on. So it should be fine without digging in?

[bario1]

If it's level already and not boggy, then go for it. I've only laid slabs once but that was for a greenhouse so it had to be spot on. I dug out 15cm and filled with bags of 'sub-base' from Wi**es, but it did get a bit pricey. If it's just for a few BBQs over summer I wouldn't bother.

[Anthonyox10]

Yeh literally its just soil but ive compacted it down. So just gunna pour some sand/cement mix on it and lay them. Will just be used for sitting having a drink and watchin the kids on the trampoline lol

[Jungle Jane]

If you put a layer of sand,cement & the thickness of the slabs,straight on top of the soil,you'd make a step? It would be safer at soil level height,so I would have thought skim off the top bit of soil,once the slabs are in,it should be all level,with no step you know?

[Anthonyox10]

Yeh ive raked the soil down so its level with the grass, and i put the slab down to see how much of a step it would be and ots literally like an inch, so maybe ill rake some more away before i put the sand on?

[Jungle Jane]

Good idea! I was just thinking,if you had a bit of 2ft long,flat bit of wood,to lay on top of the slabs as you're laying them,to know that they're all level & at the same height & use the wood as a barrier to gently tap down the slabs?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Pity your not a little closer you could borrow my rubber slab laying mallet.

[Anthonyox10]

Haha thanks! The guy that lives in the bottom flat layed his paving, so i will go see if he has the tools i need. Heres to hoping the wether is decent this weekend so i can get out there