Paving/patio questions

longwalks1

Am wanting a new patio as the old one is a bit uneven, tired looking and of dated design. Ive seen pics of travertine tiles/slabs online and love the polished, smooth look to them, would they be suitable for a large patio area? Do they require any special looking after etc?

Also, the back garden is lower than the house, and a friend suggested laying the new pation on top of the old slabs, with a sand and cement base - does this sound right?

marlot

Immediate thought is to check the level of your damp proof course on the house. You want to be 6" or so lower.

robotrobo

marlot wrote: »

Immediate thought is to check the level of your damp proof course on the house. You want to be 6" or so lower.

If like Mariot as stated ! , it sounds feasible , I did the same a few years ago , but I am only a brick high on the damp course , which is not perfect , but in this case as not proved any damp problems.
A good reputable builder will give you good advice , but watch out for the cowboys as they will take the easy option & your money .

MX5huggy

If the existing paving is uneven then there is movement if you stick a new layer on top then that will also move, causing cracks and unevenness in the new surface. For all things paving look at paving expert .com

andyhop

For a soft stone like travertine you will need a well compacted base. Approx 100mm of type 1 MOT, then lay on a 50mm bed of mortar

bretts

I am in a similar position, I have a drive that looks a bit tired and half of it is like a small garden, I removed all the plants there but it has now left me with a patch that gets weed on it very quickly specially in summers, but I read somewhere that now you have to do the guttering and all too, its not the way it used to be done earlier - just lay slabs and you are done, am i right?

zaax

It will have to be permeable

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/7728/pavingfrontgardens.pdf

martinsurrey

zaax wrote: »

It will have to be permeable

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/7728/pavingfrontgardens.pdf

no it doesnt!

I could make a driveway out of solid gold if i wanted, as long as I design it so that the rainwater ends up in a soakaway on my property. (so either design the slope or add some solid gold drainage channels)

if you read the guide you linked you will see this on page 5