Special Interests > Home Repairs Remodeling.

I need some patio help....

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blissfullybusy:
Alright I'm in the process of building myself a patio, out of bricks and octagon concrete stones. I've tilled up the area for my patio and am about to dig it out, my question is how on earth do I get it level? Do I level it before I put the sand down? Do I have to rent one of those compacter things or can I just do it by stomping it down myself?

I know I'm supposed to take a level out there and do something with it. If I could see it done it would be so much easier but these online guides are driving me bonkers.

Eeyore:
      From what I have seen on TV, you get it tilled and raked til it is about level and then put sand on and compact then make it real level -- do you have a long level?   I think you need to rent a compactor to get/keep it real level.  I have seen 'hand tampers' (not sure the real name) that look like a square of plywood attached to a 4x4 that you shove up and down - but would take forever and not be as precise.
      We are looking at expanding our deck - next summer or later and will be up against the same thing.
      Do you ever watch DIY?  They have a show Rock Solid- all the 2 cousins do is make things with various kinds of rocks/bricks/pavers/cement that kind of things.  Almost every show they have to prepare the ground, level, and compact it to put 'rocks' on top for patios, sidewalks, what evers - that would be one way to watch it being done. 

Pete:
Go to Fort Wood rental and ask for a plate compactor. It will do the job. Do not get a wamper tamper. That is for footings ect...

fish:
 Get some string, stakes, a line level and a tape measure. all inexpensive. Run your string along the edge of where your patio will be. Put your line level on the string and run it along raising and lowering the stakes as needed to level the string. after all sides are done. run a string across the ones on the edge and measure the depth with a tape measure. It is kinda like a grid, but you move the string across the string along the edge. it will take 3 people. measure across at different intervals and add or remove sand as needed. make sure you compact it well so the blocks won't sink. if that happens just take up the sinking block and put more sand under it. have fun!!

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