Lawn abutting patio, sunk

[CopperBolt]

Hi

Have a long run of lawn edge against a patio. At one spot I have some square "stepping stone" slabs in the lawn that go to the garage.
The slab nearest the patio has sunk a lot along with some of the lawn next to it. 2 foot or so total of a 12' plus "edge"
Whats a good way of sorting both out without getting a man in?
Is it just lift the slab and put sand under? Cement/mortar needed?
And for lawn, remove top grass and fill with top soil? re seed/turf?

Or a bit more to it?

Thanks

[Purosangue]

CopperBolt said:

Hi

Have a long run of lawn edge against a patio. At one spot I have some square "stepping stone" slabs in the lawn that go to the garage.
The slab nearest the patio has sunk a lot along with some of the lawn next to it. 2 foot or so total of a 12' plus "edge"
Whats a good way of sorting both out without getting a man in?
Is it just lift the slab and put sand under? Cement/mortar needed?
And for lawn, remove top grass and fill with top soil? re seed/turf?

Or a bit more to it?

Thanks

depends on several factors , type of soil is it Clay, ? , what is the drainage like ? ............post a few photos would help

levels and compaction are your answer , normally if you are laying patio slabs it should be laid on a compacted surface ,

If your patio is against a house wall / Your DPC level should be the starting point . Always ensure the finished level ( top of patio is 150mm below your DPC level) with a slight gradient sloping away from the House wall.

To achieve this dig out and remove soil layer ( 200mm) add 150mm of compacted Type 1 granite , Full cement screed . lay Patio slabs , fill in joints with Easy Joint.

For stepping stone, sunken Slabs

Lift up , remove a layer of soil ( add 1.5cm ) sharp sand , compact with a whacker plate , install paver and bed in with a rubber mallet , you should be aiming for stepping stones to be bedded to the level of your grass

Alternatively you could dig deeper and mix a cement screed on top of the sharp sand and then install your paver , add topsoil and grass seed , it really depends on what you find once you remove the pavers .

[CopperBolt]

Purosangue said:

depends on several factors , type of soil is it Clay, ? , what is the drainage like ? ............post a few photos would help

levels and compaction are your answer , normally if you are laying patio slabs it should be laid on a compacted surface ,

If your patio is against a house wall / Your DPC level should be the starting point . Always ensure the finished level ( top of patio is 150mm below your DPC level) with a slight gradient sloping away from the House wall.

To achieve this dig out and remove soil layer ( 200mm) add 150mm of compacted Type 1 granite , Full cement screed . lay Patio slabs , fill in joints with Easy Joint.

For stepping stone, sunken Slabs

Lift up , remove a layer of soil ( add 1.5cm ) sharp sand , compact with a whacker plate , install paver and bed in with a rubber mallet , you should be aiming for stepping stones to be bedded to the level of your grass

Alternatively you could dig deeper and mix a cement screed on top of the sharp sand and then install your paver , add topsoil and grass seed , it really depends on what you find once you remove the pavers .

Thanks for reply. Patio is already laid and fine( I hope, it was there when I moved in). Its just the stepping stone and sunken bit of lawn area next to it. Need to raise both up. I'll try and remember to take a pic and add later.

Pic


Top centre fallen slab. Left of that sunken grass bit. Not that clear I know

Edited by CopperBolt on Wednesday 27th March 17:02

[Purosangue]

CopperBolt said:

Purosangue said:

depends on several factors , type of soil is it Clay, ? , what is the drainage like ? ............post a few photos would help

levels and compaction are your answer , normally if you are laying patio slabs it should be laid on a compacted surface ,

If your patio is against a house wall / Your DPC level should be the starting point . Always ensure the finished level ( top of patio is 150mm below your DPC level) with a slight gradient sloping away from the House wall.

To achieve this dig out and remove soil layer ( 200mm) add 150mm of compacted Type 1 granite , Full cement screed . lay Patio slabs , fill in joints with Easy Joint.

For stepping stone, sunken Slabs

Lift up , remove a layer of soil ( add 1.5cm ) sharp sand , compact with a whacker plate , install paver and bed in with a rubber mallet , you should be aiming for stepping stones to be bedded to the level of your grass

Alternatively you could dig deeper and mix a cement screed on top of the sharp sand and then install your paver , add topsoil and grass seed , it really depends on what you find once you remove the pavers .

Thanks for reply. Patio is already laid and fine( I hope, it was there when I moved in). Its just the stepping stone and sunken bit of lawn area next to it. Need to raise both up. I'll try and remember to take a pic and add later.

Pic


Top centre fallen slab. Left of that sunken grass bit. Not that clear I know

Edited by CopperBolt on Wednesday 27th March 17:02

pull out those sunken slabs , then cut the grass using a strimmer until its really short get a slab or brick and wrap and tie string line around it now place on existing patio and run it to a peg at the end of the path , this will give you the height of the patio , make sure the string line is really tight,

dig out where each slab was placed and put in around 1.5cm of sharp sand , bed in the slab and carefully tap down with a rubber mallet untill you reach the required level with string line guide , if your carefull you can dig the hole to exact size of paver , repeat the process until all pavers have been re bedded

[CopperBolt]

Purosangue said:

pull out those sunken slabs , then cut the grass using a strimmer until its really short get a slab or brick and wrap and tie string line around it now place on existing patio and run it to a peg at the end of the path , this will give you the height of the patio , make sure the string line is really tight,

dig out where each slab was placed and put in around 1.5cm of sharp sand , bed in the slab and carefully tap down with a rubber mallet untill you reach the required level with string line guide , if your carefull you can dig the hole to exact size of paver , repeat the process until all pavers have been re bedded

Thanks. Sounds good. And for the sunken lawn bit? do I need to de-grass before filling with topsoil?

[GiantEnemyCrab]

On first reading I thought you said the stepping stone had dropped 2 foot!

'probably a bit more needed than some sand'

[pinchmeimdreamin]

GiantEnemyCrab said:

On first reading I thought you said the stepping stone had dropped 2 foot!

'probably a bit more needed than some sand'

That would need a lightbulb and broomstick

[GiantEnemyCrab]

pinchmeimdreamin said:

GiantEnemyCrab said:

On first reading I thought you said the stepping stone had dropped 2 foot!

'probably a bit more needed than some sand'

That would need a lightbulb and broomstick

An excellent reference!

[Purosangue]

CopperBolt said:

Purosangue said:

pull out those sunken slabs , then cut the grass using a strimmer until its really short get a slab or brick and wrap and tie string line around it now place on existing patio and run it to a peg at the end of the path , this will give you the height of the patio , make sure the string line is really tight,

dig out where each slab was placed and put in around 1.5cm of sharp sand , bed in the slab and carefully tap down with a rubber mallet untill you reach the required level with string line guide , if your carefull you can dig the hole to exact size of paver , repeat the process until all pavers have been re bedded

Thanks. Sounds good. And for the sunken lawn bit? do I need to de-grass before filling with topsoil?

for the sunken lawn bit , cut the grass really short then use , top soil with a lute . prices vary so shop around expect to pay around £45-£80

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325954670618?gad_source...

probably easier to watch this video



https://youtu.be/mioAA0N1dWY?si=rSLr8takxWERdU5v

Edited by Purosangue on Thursday 28th March 12:03

[CopperBolt]

Purosangue said:

for the sunken lawn bit , cut the grass really short then use , top soil with a lute . prices vary so shop around expect to pay around £45-£80

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325954670618?gad_source...

probably easier to watch this video



https://youtu.be/mioAA0N1dWY?si=rSLr8takxWERdU5v

Edited by Purosangue on Thursday 28th March 12:03

Thanks, the sunken bit is way too small to worry about getting one of those. Bag of topsoil will hopefully sort then.

[OutInTheShed]

You can 'top dress' grass with soil and it will just grow through the soil, if you don't over do it and pick your moment.