DIY Patio question (pool, drains, installing, sq ft)

[zulu400]

Hi Everyone.
I am looking to put a standalone DIY Patio in my backyard, around 300 sq ft. The area in question already has 2-3 inches of gravel on top of soil. Adjacent to the area is going to be 6 inches of mulch in height for a new play yard.
So can I just start by compacting the gravel and levelling it and then put the sand and then start laying down the pavers ?

Thanks.

[Jukesgrrl]

Don't level it -- grade it away from the house. I have a completely level poured concrete patio and it's the bane of my existence during monsoon season in Arizona. They guy who put it in better never show his face here ...

[akck]

As I recall, the instructions for installing pavers exactly matches your plans. As mentioned, slope the patio away from the house for drainage. Depending on how loose your gravel is, you might need to add some fines before compacting.

[Cecilia_Rose]

Originally Posted by Jukesgrrl

Don't level it -- grade it away from the house. I have a completely level poured concrete patio and it's the bane of my existence during monsoon season in Arizona. They guy who put it in better never show his face here ...

I agree dont level it.I built my patio with a noticable slope. When it rains the water washes all the dirt away as it drains.

Id like to add dont grade it toward the driveway or any entrance unless you want to skate this winter. Also dont make it even with your doorway. Make sure its a little lower than your doorway so water cant seep under the door in a driving rain.

[zulu400]

ok, I am very encouraged with the responses.... just some more info on this project....
This patio (about 20ft x 16ft) is not going to be near the house structure. Its going to be beyond a retaining wall next to a future play yard about 30ft x 25ft. I'll still grade it a little away from the house, but my main objective is to avoid digging since I already have the gravel on top of the soil and its going to be near 6 inches of playground mulch. I have seen that almost in all the DIY patio videos they start by digging. Can I just use a plate compactor, put some sand and lay down the pavers and be done with it ?

[Hopes]

I installed one of those interlocking brick patios years ago. Hubby did most of the prep work. I'm the one who layed the patio. You can do it.

But I'm confused about your saying you don't want to dig. Is your gravel 2-3 inches above the ground, just thrown on top of your existing dirt or grass?

You need the plate compactor for the gravel but also after you lay the sand. Both gravel and sand need to be compacted separately.

Make sure you compact it "level" be it at a slope or a whatever. You don't want rises and falls here and there. Use a level to ensure you have the same angle throughout. I recommend sloping it away from the mulch area. You don't want extra water runoff flowing into and under your mulch.

Ours is sloping away from the house. We installed a french drain at the far end of the slope to divert water way from the patio and into the sewer system at the street. (Yeah, that meant digging a trench along the far edge of the patio and all the way down the side of the house to the street.)

This extra drainage effort was well worth it. Our patio is a foot lower than our doorway. There is a retaining wall that surrounds the patio. A few times per year, when there is a particularly heavy rain, the patio fills up like a swimming pool. If we hadn't installed the drainage system, I fear the water would be flooding right into my doorway.

So, my recommendation is to slope it away from the house and away from the playground area.

You might want to rethink mulch for a play area. Mulch has bacteria and fungus. It's an undesirable bedding for playgrounds. I wouldn't use the "rubber mulch" either. IMO, it would be best to have a grass base for the playground area. This is your yard, not a playground that receives heavy wear and tear.

[zulu400]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I installed one of those interlocking brick patios years ago. Hubby did most of the prep work. I'm the one who layed the patio. You can do it.

But I'm confused about your saying you don't want to dig. Is your gravel 2-3 inches above the ground, just thrown on top of your existing dirt or grass?

You need the plate compactor for the gravel but also after you lay the sand. Both gravel and sand need to be compacted separately.

Make sure you compact it "level" be it at a slope or a whatever. You don't want rises and falls here and there. Use a level to ensure you have the same angle throughout. I recommend sloping it away from the mulch area. You don't want extra water runoff flowing into and under your mulch.

Ours is sloping away from the house. We installed a french drain at the far end of the slope to divert water way from the patio and into the sewer system at the street. (Yeah, that meant digging a trench along the far edge of the patio and all the way down the side of the house to the street.)

This extra drainage effort was well worth it. Our patio is a foot lower than our doorway. There is a retaining wall that surrounds the patio. A few times per year, when there is a particularly heavy rain, the patio fills up like a swimming pool. If we hadn't installed the drainage system, I fear the water would be flooding right into my doorway.

So, my recommendation is to slope it away from the house and away from the playground area.

You might want to rethink mulch for a play area. Mulch has bacteria and fungus. It's an undesirable bedding for playgrounds. I wouldn't use the "rubber mulch" either. IMO, it would be best to have a grass base for the playground area. This is your yard, not a playground that receives heavy wear and tear.

Gravel is over mud, they dug out the soil and put gravel there, its level with the grass now. But if I put sand and pavers then it will be that much over the grass in height. But so will be 7-8 inches of playground mulch around it. Thanks for the tip about the compactor though.