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Debate: Should you skimp on patio base prep or go all out?
I spent three weekends on my 10x12 patio last spring trying to get the gravel base perfect. First I dug 6 inches deep, tamped, added fabric, the whole deal. Then my neighbor said he just dumped crushed stone on bare dirt and called it good two years ago with no issues. I was kicking myself wondering if I overdid it. So which is it, do you need to go through all that leveling and compacting, or can you cut corners and still have it hold up? Has anyone here had a patio fail after skipping the base work?
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grace60714d ago
Terry's right. Proper base work now beats cursing your patio every spring.
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terryk2814d ago
Took me a long time to realize this but I used to be the guy who thought gravel on dirt was fine. Had a 8x10 flagstone patio I threw together in a weekend. First winter the frost pushed everything around. By spring I had a tripping hazard and weeds sprouting through the joints. Neighbor's concrete pavers he'd prepped properly looked perfect after three winters. His didn't shift at all. That sold me. Now I dig, compact, add fabric, and do it right. Your three weekends will save you years of headaches.
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