Two somewhat unrelated questions:
What should one expect in regards to base compaction? I was told at the place we’re getting our Class 5 base that 6″ of base will likely compact to 5″. That makes sense. Does it sound about right?
The bigger question is the 1″ screeded sand layer. After laying the pavers on top of that, what should I expect in terms of compaction? I assume the sand, being dense, and only 1″ deep, I shouldn’t see much more than a 1/4″ difference after compaction. I’m trying to make sure I properly account for compaction in getting the base prepared for the patio where it needs to line up with existing paths and stairs.
The other question…are there any consumer level concrete grinders, or is that just soemthing where you really need a high end pro machine? Our patio is being laid out in right angles everywhere (to avoid cutting, plus, we like the look). I wanted to do some decorative concrete 8″ x 8″ corners and was thinking of doing home-made terrazo by mixing grout with crushed wine bottle class and then grinding to expose the glass. I love the look but have no idea if grinding concrete is really a DIY task.
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Jues had a 3rd question...where does one put the landscape fabric?
Supply house where I'm getting the class 5 says it should go between the ground and the class 5 to prevent the class 5 from settling into the dirt during compaction.
Book says on top of the class 5 to stop the sand from going into the class 5.
Second book doesn't mention the landscape fabric.
Any opinions?
I don't know what class 5 is. Names of stone are very regional. If you are talking about crushed stone, expect compaction of around 25 to 30 percent if compacted in lifts of around 5 inches. The sand should compact around 1/4 inch. You won't be able to estimate it more accurately than that.
Landscape fabric is definitely not needed between crushed stone and sand. It may be helpful below the crushed stone, but is usually not necessary for pedestrian walkways. When you compact the stone it will mush down into what is underneath it from the compaction operation, and won't settle hardly any after that.
Stone dust is better than sand because it won't attract ants as much.
I'm not sure what Class 5 is either but everyone uses in the midwest for it. Apparently it's the same stuff used for road base.We're using sand mainly because the old concrete patio that was torn out had a nice clean bed of sand, so I dug all that out to reuse...but good tip on teh stone dust. We may end up with an ant problem.
Speaking of sand...my ants have probably packed off a wheelbarrow load from my pavers in the last four or five years or so, one grain at a time. Industrious little devils and my hat's off to them for their patients and ability to remain on task. I've been out there at all hours of the day or night, they work 24/7 and don't even take lunch break. I haven't heard them complain either.
Diazinon works well against ants. I had them years ago at an old house. I think I applied it weaker than the label said and it still worked fine.
I watched them and developed such an appreciation of their efforts that I couldn't bring myself to kill them. Plus, I've seen the video "Ants" and that made it even more difficult to bump them off.