What kind of base do you need for Patio in California? (San Jose: new house, buy)

[jovial gent]

I broke up some concrete on the side yard of my new house. I wanted to use the pieces (3 inch slab) for a patio in the back yard. Since there is no freezing of the ground here in San Jose what kind of base would you put for the concrete pieces? How deep for each layer? Any masons out there?

Thanks....

[Bulldogdad]

Originally Posted by jovial gent

I broke up some concrete on the side yard of my new house. I wanted to use the pieces (3 inch slab) for a patio in the back yard. Since there is no freezing of the ground here in San Jose what kind of base would you put for the concrete pieces? How deep for each layer? Any masons out there?

Thanks....

Are you trying to build an flagstone type patio area with the concrete chunks? If so decomposed granite is a great material for this. Comes in many colors. Call a local landscape material supplier. They will give you all the info you need if you buy from them for a DIY patio.

Good luck. Take some pictures and report back.

[DMenscha]

Construction sand for the base, I'd probably put 4 inches down if I were doing it in my yard. It also should be compacted.

[Bulldogdad]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

Construction sand for the base, I'd probably put 4 inches down if I were doing it in my yard. It also should be compacted.

What are you contradicting me? Damn know it all realestaters.

Yes sand could also be good especially if you wanted to plant moss between the concrete pieces.

[DMenscha]

Sand is cheaper than DG. I was guessing if someone is going to recycle concrete from a walkway, price might be an object. Lotta years in the building trades before I realized manual labor was too painful.

[slo1318]

Id go with crushed rock base with a little sand on top for leveling, using all sand will move around to much. Then you can use the dg or sand to fill the joints.

[.highnlite]

Frame it keep the sand where it belongs.

Now, I did this a few years ago, I busted up an old slab foundation and used the pieces to form a patio. It was very hard to get the surface level, but beyond that, it was a hell of a lot of work. I would not do it again.

[18Montclair]

Great ideas!

Another idea that I love(and actually had done at my own house) is to install a stamped concrete patio. You can create pretty much any look you want.

[jovial gent]

Well, the city dump has baserock pretty cheap (28$ a ton)... and it's 3/4" to 3/8" inch. the idea is to make it like a flagstone patio. It is definitely work but by reusing the concrete but:

keep it out of the waste stream (and save 300$-500$ in recycling/dump fees)
don't have to by stone or pavers for the patio (saving another 500$-1000)

Fortunately I'm young and stupid enough to do this type of labor, and I like it in a sick way. Just enough to do it once though and not have to re-level it in 5 years.....

[slo1318]

^^the baserock is a good idea.....

Although I applaud the recycling of the concrete, I never think it looks that great. I much prefer natural materials, slate, flagstone etc, but thats a different topic I suppose.