Paver patio installation

I know this question isn't necessarily DIY, but was hoping to get some help. I am going to be having a paver patio put in and had a question regarding the base under the pavers.

I have had two companies come out. One told me that he would put the base down over my grass. He said the base would be some kind of gravel (I forget exactly what he said). The second company said they would dig down, apply some sort of gravel and then lay a layer of concrete before installing the paver.

Obviously the concrete method would be better, but is it necessary. Can a base be put over grass and then gravel over it then the paver?

 

The life of any paver patio or walkway is a deep solid base.

The ones I have put in consisted of 10" of crushed limestone compacted in 2" layers. That solid base supports the pavers so they dont warp/settle over time.

Like a foundation you have to get down to virgin soil so that rules out dumping crap on the ground, plus you simply cant get the depth of material. I've only heard of cement being used on driveways but that proposal sounds better.

Remember, what you do today is what is going to reflect in the future, tearing up a patio to relevel is a lot of work!

 

I don't know that either is correct. Topsoil is light and fluffy and full of organic matter that will decompose over time. It does not compact well and needs to be removed. So the second contractor has that part right.

Most paver companies recommend installing their pavers over a compacted stone base. Some may allow installation over a concrete base but I would check the installation recommendations for the pavers you are using. If a concrete base is used I assume it would have to be the full thickness and strength to be a concrete patio on it's own so I imagine it would substantially more expensive than the usually recommended compacted aggregate base.

 

Thanks everyone! Yes, I thought it was strange to just pour rocks over the grass. I definitely want this done right.

I appreciate the help.

 

I may have misunderstood the first company somewhat. I requested them to send me their process for their base layer. This is what they said. Does that work or does it still lack?

I would strip the sod in area patio will be. Excavate a few inches so theres only 7 inch difference from one patio to the other. Base will be 6 ich thick.

 

That makes more sense. That said, we still don't know what his base is.

 

He responded with this:

304 recycled concrete in or 57 limestone.

 

The concrete or limestone is best, it's sharp and compacts well! I like a little more depth, as noted I put down 10" for patio, maybe a bit less for walkways.

 

What does everyone think of this rather than using the limestone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kcg...x2tfFfBPPCCGDA

 

I see a couple of inches of sand which absolutely does not provide sufficient drainage, maybe those pads will work, maybe not, but what I do know is 10" of compacted limestone has worked for years, now even a decade for my paver patio!

I don't like redoing projects!

 

A lot depends on where you are located. A suitable base in Florida can be quite different than the base needed in upstate New York. You can get away with things in the south with sandy soil and no freezing temperatures but anywhere that gets freezing temperatures you really should not skimp on the base. It's what causes paver patios to fail but it's also what DIY'rs tend to skimp on.

 

Thanks for the responses!

I am in NE Ohio. I was skeptical with this product and thought the climate may have a role in how well this worked. I also was wondering how it would naturally drain the water. There are the small hole patterns, but I would think naturally draining through rocks would be better.

I'll just go with the linestone.