[ArtZander]

Greetings again; I am very appreciative of the information that I can find within the various posts. This is my second post; I am still in the process of building a blue stone patio and have a couple of additional questions.

The soil I am digging down to is very heavy clay; I dug down about 9 to 10 inches. We had a small rain the other day and I had standing water in the excavated area for 2 days; this stuff, when packed, does not drain very well. Would it be prudent to put in some drainage tile? I have not yet started adding the base (inch and a quarter to fines) yet so it would be fairly simple to do this now. I guess I am concerned about heavy rains and having to deal with washouts.

Another question has to do with the technique I should follow in building the base. I have some geo-fabric (looks like heavy felt), should this be put down before I start building the base (between my clay and the stone base)? Should it be used between the base and the sand the blue stone will be set into? Should I do both (I have enough of the fabric)?

[Stonehenge]

Read through this first: How To Install a Brick Paver Patio

Then come back and ask if there were issues that weren't covered there or items that need clarification.

[ArtZander]

Thanks for the prompt reply; I read thru the link and it answered several of my questions plus brought some information that I did not think about.

It looks like I have some work ahead of me (the sidebar that discussed "puddles") to "flatten" out the bottom.

The sidebar that had the link for the 2003 discussion about geo-textile was also very helpful.

Thanks again for providing an extensive array of information about building a base for my patio.

[Stonehenge]

Cool beans. Glad it helped.