ᐅ Use of Existing Paving Base

Hello,
the time has come – the old exposed aggregate concrete slabs at the entrance gate and front garden are going to be replaced with a mix of various concrete paver types and slabs. We are gathering different formats, including some natural stones and bricks mixed in. These will be laid in a random pattern (since there is no better way).

Now to my question: beneath the concrete slabs, there is about a 25cm (10 inches) thick layer of sand (grain size up to about 2mm, I suspect it is building sand). I find it hard to tell if the layer underneath has been compacted. In any case, it is not gravel but rather seems like a mixture of topsoil, stone, and brick rubble. The whole layer is quite firm (whether it was intentionally compacted or just hardened over time, I cannot say). Do you think I could simply lay our mixed stones directly in place of the concrete slabs without the stones settling within a short period?

Thank you very much for your advice.
Best regards, Chrisu1703

Hello, what kind of house do you have? An older one? Recently purchased? How long did you live with exposed aggregate concrete slabs?
Tell us more.

Chrisu1703 schrieb:
The whole thing is quite firm (whether it was actually compacted or if the years have simply left their marks, I can’t say.)

If the slabs have been there for 30 years, they are probably firm and compacted, but if you just placed these slabs temporarily last year, maybe not.

And then it depends on what your goal is.
Do you want it to look somewhat natural, or completely smooth and even? I guess the latter is less likely, since you probably want to use a patching technique? Do you have different heights like with paving stones?

Hello, the house is about 70 years old, and I suspect that the exposed aggregate concrete slabs have been in place for several years, possibly decades. I’ve laid out one square meter for you ... this is roughly how I imagine the pathway ... basically, I assumed a level installation, although I think a natural look will develop anyway since I’m handy but have never installed paving before ;-) .

Have you already considered how you will compensate for the extreme differences in elevation?

Thinking very simply: with a lot of patience, the bricks are placed in the sand at varying depths depending on their size...

Then give it a try – you’ll never get it properly clean that way.