"Donnie" wrote in message
...
Hi all, right, am on a budget as Im not working at the moment so
managed to get a load of patio slabs off freecycle (60cm x 60cm x 5cm)
so proper big 'uns!

Problem is that the area I need to do is fairly deep, long story where
the soil was redistributed some years ago and this area became
neglected. (Pic 1)

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...s/IMG_9890.jpg

So, luckily, also on freecycle, managed to get some hardcore material
(2nd pic)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...dbobs/IMG_9892.
jpg which is basically someone elses slabs broken up, which will help
bring it all up to a decent level I hope.

So, given what I have already my plan is to get the hardcore sorted to
a decent level then use sand before putting the proper slabs on?

Anyone see any problems with this plan at all??


Your links don't seem to work Donnie.

The crucial thing with any hardstanding is the hardcore. If it is just big
lumps, you will never get it to compact properly and hollow patches will
occur in a year or two. It should be proper broken stone with fine stuff as
well as coarse lumps (builders merchants call it 'crusher run' or
'aggregate') and it will need compacting down very hard with a thumper of
some sort. Finish off with a layer of sand as Mark suggests.

HTH
R.