[BuzzGordon]

I have a patio made out of paver stones. When it rains the surroundings make water run across the patio and the sand below the stones keeps washing away. The individual stones settle and buckle and take on a very sloppy look. Does anyone know (how to) or (what to) use below the paver stones that wont be effected do adversely by rainwater??

[Greensmith]

If you have that kind of water flow running over the pavers than some consideration should probably be given to rain water diversion (drains, u-channels along the path etc).

[jshilan]

I would also see if one or more of your downspouts are dumping a lot of water across the patio which could account for the washout. If so, either redirect the downspouts or pipe them undergorund to a better location.

Infinity and Beyond!

[BuzzGordon]

The downspouts are routed under the stones through flexible, black, plastic drain pipes. There's a storm drain about 20 yards from my patio. We get a lot of rain sometimes (Saint Louis Missouri). The patio is not in the main area where the storm water flows but. . It does get a steady "lower dose" of water that works its way across the patio towards the storm drain. The guy that put the stones in for me has fixed them a couple of times but they keep doing the same thing, Settling, buckling and becoming uneven etc. Plus I can see all of the sand that washes out from underneath them. If I pick one of the stones up there is fine sand under them then dirt. Shouldn’t there be some sort of gravel? I think someone told me to use something called (minus) too?? Should a tamper be used during the installation process?

[BigD]

There should at least be 4-6" of a compacted stone base underneath your pavers. You also should probably not use a flexible drain pipe underneath a compacted base, so you may want to switch to a rigid pipe at least for the run underneath the patio.

[Orchard Ex]

Originally Posted by BuzzGordon

The guy that put the stones in for me has fixed them a couple of times but they keep doing the same thing, Settling, buckling and becoming uneven etc. Plus I can see all of the sand that washes out from underneath them. If I pick one of the stones up there is fine sand under them then dirt. Shouldn’t there be some sort of gravel? I think someone told me to use something called (minus) too?? Should a tamper be used during the installation process?

Hate to say it, but it sounds like it's time to find an new guy...