Preparation of the basis under paving slabs: stages
Preparing the base for paving slabs is, apparently, the most important stage in the implementation of the entire cycle of works on the arrangement of paths and areas near the house. The quality of the future laying and durability of a covering in many respects depends on how correctly the basis will be made. In order to avoid serious mistakes, you need to consider this process in more detail.
The most important step in laying paving slabs is the preparation of the base
styling options
There are several basic technologies for laying paving slabs. In this case, the composition of the mixture, the list of preparatory works and used materials depends on which it is planned to lay paving slabs.
You can select the following techniques:
- Sand. The tile is fixed on a sand pillow without auxiliary materials and is protected by borders for greater reliability..
- Sand-cement mixture. Dry cement is added to the sand and placed on a sand-cement cushion. After filling with water, the mass sets.
- Solution. The tile is laid on a liquid solution. In order for the masonry to be smooth, you need to prepare a concrete base.
Options for laying paving slabs
Despite the difference in approaches, the initial stages do not differ from each other in the technology of work.
Surface requirements
To satisfy you with the final result, and the sidewalk itself did not deteriorate over time, some requirements should be met, which are mandatory for the compilation of such material. Most of them are directly related to the quality and degree of preparation of the surface itself.
The following basic requirements can be identified:
- Drainage. Drainage, accumulated and prevent its destructive effects on the sidewalk.
- Waterproofing. Prevention of excessive accumulation of moisture due to the use of a special substrate.
- Drain. Drainage of water by means of the device of a slope and special drainage ditches.
- Equality. The surface should be leveled almost perfectly for that, so that all the elements lay down properly.
- Stability. Lack of movement of individual elements and deformation during subsidence of the soil.
- Deepening. You need to dig a hole to arrange drainage and deepen the track itself.
Preparation of the base is an important stage, which requires compliance with certain rules
The question often arises - is it possible to lay new paving slabs on old tiles or asphalt? The answer depends on the condition of the base under the work site. If there is a risk of subsidence, it is necessary to radically rebuild the sidewalk, starting from scratch. If the old coating just survived, and the base remains in good condition, it is possible to make installation over it. Keep this in mind, that the track level will rise. This may require additional design of the surrounding areas.
gravel pillow
First, gravel and rubble are used to lay paving slabs in the future. This is where you need to start work on the arrangement of the site. To begin with, you need to prepare a sufficient deepening. In most cases, it is enough to remove the soil layer before 25 cm. If you are planning to set up a car park or driveway, due to the significant load, you can increase the depth by another 10 cm.
The earth is removed in this way, so that you can fix the curbs and lay the drainage. To prevent subsidence, the soil is carefully compacted with water. After it dries, you can cover with gravel. The thickness of the drainage cushion should be approximately 2/3 from the total thickness of the pavement with the base.
Schematic representation of the device of the basis under paving slabs
Since crushed stone contains particles of different sizes and shapes, to seal the substrate, the mass must be vibrated. This will prevent further shrinkage and make the cushion cushion more resistant to loads. Sand is additionally used to fill the voids. It should be distributed on the surface and filled with water. Further, the procedure is repeated, until a level playing field is created. Further work should not violate the integrity of the drainage layer.
Hydrostok and insulation
It is very important to provide basic protection from water, which can eventually wash away some of the material and lead to the destruction of the site. Geotextiles should be singled out among the whole list of modern materials for laying paving slabs. This material provides reliable waterproofing. It is also used for reservoirs. It does not rot and has high strength, in addition, it prevents plants from growing in the joints between the tiles.
To ensure that the waterproofing was performed according to all the rules, and in the structure of the sidewalk did not accumulate moisture after precipitation, it is important to anticipate the presence of a slope for water runoff. On average, it is 2 degrees per meter of track. It is necessary to plan such a slope at the stage of removing the soil layer, but if you forgot about it, the situation can be corrected by laying gravel in a layer of different thickness.
To drain the water, you also need to additionally provide for the presence of drainage ditches, they are mounted together with the tile itself.
To prevent moisture from accumulating under the tile, it is necessary to provide a waterproofing layer and water outflow
sand pillow
Once the basic work is done, you can start designing the final layer. It consists of pure sifted river sand. To make the sidewalk stable, but depreciation remained, you need to cover the sand with a layer of about 7 cm. It is best to focus on the thickness of the tile, for it will be partially immersed in him.
Such a thick layer of sand is necessary for the implementation of the first two methods of laying. For the second method, you need to additionally fill about a third of the total layer with a mixture of sand and cement powder. A little more mixture should be left for further processing of seams.
The basis for laying on sand is prepared in several stages. To begin with it is necessary to fill up with dry raw materials and to compact it carefully. Vibrators are used for the best effect. Additionally, it is recommended to sprinkle the surface with water, to compact the material. It is better to repeat this procedure several times, until the desired layer thickness is reached.
Before laying it is necessary to level the dried sand. You can use the rule and guides. Only after reaching a perfectly flat surface with a given slope, you can start installing sidewalks.
Guides and a rule of the required length are used to level the sand layer
concrete base
Another way of laying - on the solution. In this case it is necessary to take care of the device of the reliable concrete basis. Since the base will take up some space, to go deep into the ground you need to 5-10 see more than usual.
The initial stage of arrangement of a platform or a path essentially completely coincides with already described actions. However, you do not need to cover too thick a layer of sand. Just a couple of inches will be enough for that, to fill voids in gravel. Another space will be filled with concrete mass.
When laying paving slabs on the solution it is necessary to prepare a solid concrete base
The solution can be prepared by various methods. The most popular way is to connect the sand, cement and fine screening, and the addition of slaked lime as a plasticizer. It can be replaced with PVA glue or detergent. It is necessary to fill in concrete thus, so that it can be leveled by the rule. Formwork made of wooden boards or plywood is installed on the sides to preserve the contours of the sidewalk. It is recommended to grease it to prevent concrete from sticking.
It is possible to lay a tile on a rough floor without preliminary coupler after drying. Some craftsmen put the sidewalk directly on the liquid mass. In this case, you need to take care of it, so that the thickness of the layer is sufficient to fit the elements.
It is difficult to answer unequivocally what is the best way to lay paving slabs. It all depends on the specific conditions and capabilities of the master. If a large load is not planned, you can do with sand and cement, but when it comes to parking, it is best to pre-fill the concrete platform.
