So I purchased a home where the previous owner threw some pavers down on top of grass next to the house. Needless to say they sunk, caused water pool up and go into the basement.
I did some basic research and decided to re-install a small patio there with a tilt away from the house to reduce/alleviate this problem of water in the basement.
I just came across this forum now that im done with my project and am worried i didnt put down enough of a gravel base.
We dug down about 7 inches, put down about 3 1/2 inches of traffic bond compacted by hand and 1 1/2 inches of lime sand followed by the 2 inch pavers. The pavers are the 16" x 16" type. The area is only 4' by 15'.
However in my recent readings now that im done with the project ive been reading that i should have put about 6 inches of traffic bond since the ground freezes so deep here in the winter (Southeast Wisconsin).
My question is since i only have 3 1/2" of gravel base down should i be worried about heaving and/or sinking? Or being it such a small area with low traffic use not really worry about it?
Am i being over paranoid that i wasted all that effort?
I don't live in the Northern climates anymore but I would think that , given the small size of the area, it wouldn't really be worth your time to re-do it at this point. If you end up seeing serious issues after a few seasons, well, it's probably time to re-think your base installation.
Just my 2 cents, considering the pavers are already installed.
Of course it will heave. Unless you excavated below the frost line (48" in zone 5a) the soil underneath the ex will absorb moisture in wet Falls and expand and contract with each freeze/thaw cycle. The whole point of dry-laid hardscapes is to avoid a huge ex, not to avoid heave.
Whether the heave is perceptible and/or a problem depends on soils, exposure, and whatever the patio is tied in to.
You shouldn't expect the peace of mind that comes with a professional installation, if you didn't hire a pro.
So, on to a related point about cold weather paver installations:
Don't tell me that all of you in the Northern climates actually dig 48" below grade and fill / compact that entire base before you install pavers? I find that sorta crazy.
Of course it will heave. Unless you excavated below the frost line (48" in zone 5a) the soil underneath the ex will absorb moisture in wet Falls and expand and contract with each freeze/thaw cycle. The whole point of dry-laid hardscapes is to avoid a huge ex, not to avoid heave.
Whether the heave is perceptible and/or a problem depends on soils, exposure, and whatever the patio is tied in to.
You shouldn't expect the peace of mind that comes with a professional installation, if you didn't hire a pro.
Dig to undisturbed sub soil or a minimum of 4" of base for residential walks and patio's or 12" for a good driveway although most manufactures reccommend 8" for drives. It is supposed to move with the frost.
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You have no worries bud. But next time rent a plate compactor vrs a hand tamper! better compaction for the base.. And i hope you used 1" of sand as well.. then, from my exp you should be just fine! Have a look at my pics of the many patios i have done here in mn. Have not had a call back once, and these patios have been here for years now. 2-4" class 5 base and 1" sand. 1/4 to 1/2" pitch over 4 ft is recomended. Midwest Patios & Landscape 651-235-2937
For the area you described, I'd say you are fine with what you did. Here in CO I use about 4" sub material (either 3/8" chip/breeze mixture or just breeze and tamp/compact after the first 2" and the last 2". Then I lay my patios (flagstone, not paverstone) in the breeze material. Seems to work fine. Yes, the patio should move a little. That is the point of dry setting as opposed to pouring a concrete base and mortaring in the stone.
Well thank you all for the replies. Im a feel a bit more at ease with what i did and as was pointed out...... if it works out cool, if not.... re-lay.... not much i can do now
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