Sand base?
#1
05-31-15, 08:30 AM
Sand base?
How important is it to use a sand base under the big (20”?) square pavers, rather than just laying them on a pretty consolidated, grass-free patch of former lawn?
#2
05-31-15, 08:53 AM
Member
I guess it really depends on the type of soil you currently have and how fussy you are about the finished product. The sand forms a perfectly flat and compacted bed for the stones to sit on, while maintaining good drainage under the stone. Skipping the sand will mean more work in leveling the stones and possible problems in the future if the base is not all compacted evenly.
#3
05-31-15, 09:00 AM
Member
Keep in mind that sand cannot be compacted. It is usually used as a setting bed, 1" thick for real pavers (no dimension over 10") or for under the larger "stepping stones". It is best if confined on the sides but it can be used to level "stepping stones" if the stepping stones are lifted and reset.
Dick
Dick
#4
05-31-15, 11:34 AM
Here's the back-story if you're curious. We really need a wide walkway along the house there because of the foot traffic. But it's over the septic drain field so I'd like it to be more or less "portable" and I don't want to be too fussy about it.
#5
05-31-15, 01:56 PM
Member
If your not fussy, just do the best you can without the sand. The potential problems you will have it slight movement of the stones creating a tripping hazzard if soem settle and move around a bit while others dont.
#6
06-01-15, 04:52 PM
I put down 18x18 inch blue stone slate pieces as stepping stones last year after just cutting the lawn away. I thought they wouldn't settle crooked on my soil after I hard packed the areas with a tamper, but the rain and then past winter ice eroded the soil anyway so they were a mess. I later went and got 3/4 driveway stone and dug down 4" and then tamped that down and they haven't moved since.
