Patio re-laying rip up or screed over?

[rfisher]

I have an ~35m2 concrete slab patio which has moved over the years (clay soil) and needs replacing.



Lifting the 70 or so 150lbs slabs would be a lot of work, even to break them up to use as part of a new base.

Is it reasonable to assume that all movement that is likely to occur has already done so, and just concrete over the existing patio to use as a base for laying new slabs.

I reckon there would still be 1 course below the dpm at the house and would leave a drainage channel along that edge.

Bodge or acceptable approach to a nice new patio?

[was8v]

Bodge.

Have a read:

http://www.pavingexpert.com/faq_layover01.htm

If you are staying long term then I wouldn't. If you are selling on then its up to your conscience.

[C0ffin D0dger]

I wouldn't, wouldn't break them up as part of a new base either. Prober sub base should be laid in MOT1 if you don't want your new patio going the way of the old one.

Bite the bullet, hire a skip, put a day aside and get busy with the sledge hammer / wheel barrow. It's a good work out and venting some anger on innocent lumps of concrete is always fun

Edited by C0ffin D0dger on Friday 28th August 15:53

[shtu]

If those slabs are halfway decent, offer them up on Gumtree or freecycle as "buyer" removes.

[TA14]

C0ffin D0dger said:

if you don't want your new patio going the way of the old one.

and what would that be? There may be the odd weed here and there but the slabs look near on perfect in that photo.

OP what are you trying to achieve? Loose the weeds? Lay blocks? Lay fancy slabs? High load area? Smarten it up to sell the house? Whatever you're trying to achieve a concrete slab over the existing patio is unlikely to be the best answer.

[Spudler]

TA14 said:

There may be the odd weed here and there but the slabs look near on perfect in that photo.

Really?
They look fking awfull to me!
And that's with 50 yo eyes and on a poxy phone.

[Chrisgr31]

The slabs look as if they are in good condition, so options are to lift and relay or lift and sell.

[roofer]

Spudler said:

TA14 said:

There may be the odd weed here and there but the slabs look near on perfect in that photo.

Really?
They look fking awfull to me!
And that's with 50 yo eyes and on a poxy phone.

Wot he said, and my eyes are 2 years older, but on an eye pad.

[Spudler]

roofer said:

my eyes are 2 years older, but on an eye pad.

Cool, will I see better if I put my eyes on one of these pads?

[Mojooo]

the point is or is not whether the existing patio is a solid enough base to lay over - it probably is to be honest.

That said i would still be concered about DPC levels etc and so would take them up and either relay or replace.

[a311]

Just done something similar if you're going to lay another patio you need to lift them up, half arsed solution would be to break them up but I reckon it would be just as much if not more effort. Effort will depend on how close you can get a skip (which are a bit of a rip off IMO these days) def worth a go offering them as free to collect.

I wouldn't concrete over, you need MOT type 1 sub-base and a whacker to compact it down. They're about £40 for a bulk bag.

[AMG Merc]

Chrisgr31 said:

The slabs look as if they are in good condition, so options are to lift and relay or lift and sell.

Agree. Simples..

[Mallinson1984]

shtu said:

If those slabs are halfway decent, offer them up on Gumtree or freecycle as "buyer" removes.

This is what I would be doing, get them on gumtree stating your open to offers and buyer is to lift upon removal.

[rfisher]

Thanks.

Slabs are ok but have tilted or dropped in several places.

Base is probably sound so I may lift and replace with more stylish stone.

[Drumroll]

The fact that the slabs have moved probably says the base is not OK.

[Condi]

Drumroll said:

The fact that the slabs have moved probably says the base is not OK.

This. The slabs wont bend, so if they've moved/fallen then its because the base is ffuked, no other reason.

If you want the cheapest way you can lift the slabs, get a digger and pull up the base, throw a few bags of cement powder in and tamp back down again. The cement will set over time and create a very strong base using the original material. Then just relay existing stone on top.

[was8v]

Looking again at the picture I would just bin that rubbish and powerwash it. Amazing how well most stuff comes up.

Even if you lay new ones they will only look great for a few years.