Build on top of existing brick/block patio

thebigstillmeister

Hi,

I have a question which I was hoping I could get some expert opinions on,

In our garden there is a small area of patio when you step out of the patio doors. The lounge sticks out in to the garden and the patio is a semi circle of small brick blocks (not patio slabs) that starts from one corner and circles around to meet the other.

Its not the nicest thing and as we recently replaced the horrible patio doors with bi fold doors so we want to replace this semi circle with a raised patio area that is the same width, but rectangle which will help us reclaim some grass back and make more use of the bi fold doors.

The patio will only be about 5 meters wide and stick out 1.5 meters, its more of a large raise step as we have an area already for garden furniture etc.

The blocks are very solid, and the new patio will need to be raised anyway. So question is, could these blocks be used for the base for the new patio step, ie cement bricks on top to make the base of the new patio.?

i've google'd it and examples are patio on existing patio slabs which they advise against, but can't find anything on blocks/bricks.

Seems odd to dig out a solid brick/block base to then replace with something else. Would also save on needing to dispose of it,

thanks,

OnlyAlan

It is not the blocks you have to worry about, it is what is underneath them.
Blocks laid on 6 inches of concrete should be OK. Blocks laid on a gravel bed would not. As you will need to take-up the blocks to see what is underneath them you may as well put in a substantial foundation in the first place.