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Landscape Design

Patio Blocks on existing sand from above ground pool?

16 years ago

We are wanting to make a patio 14.8 x 18.8 on top of our existing sand that was a pool area. The pool was 28' round and had been there for over 18 years. We have had 2 conflicting advise, 1- that it would be perfectly fine to make sure sand is still level and place block 2- we still need to add rock and more sand ??? Which one do you think?

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Comments (6)

tyhawk
16 years ago
Rent a compactor like a "Jumping Jack" and or follow up with a vibrating plate compactor and refill the area that settles with crushed 3/4 gravel. put your sand on that and off you go. All you have to worry about is compaction and drainage. Once thats coverd your ok.
lindagsings
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks tyhawk, we have decided to not skip any steps and use the ca6 rock and additional sand before laying the 16" blocks. Our next concern is the drainage. Hopefully next weekend with be the beginning. thanks again.

Linda
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linda01746
16 years ago
I'm about to attempt a similar project but our pool wasn't in place for more than 2 years. (We got a freebie and had it installed. Then the liner blew out during this past winter and my hubbie said no way to fixing it.) We now have an 18' round level easily leveled surface with about 3 1/2" of sand.

I'm not clear on the advice given by tyhawk to the original poster. Are you suggesting that the sand be removed, the surface covered with 3/4" gravel, and then put the sand back on top of the gravel?

Thanks
Linda
wantoretire_did
16 years ago
Having done this, but on the fast and stupid, put down a weed barrier under the blocks and allow for drainage. I can't emphasize this enough. I've been dealing with weeds for 4 years now. At times, if there is a lot of rain or during spring thaw/rain, the water is very slow to soak in. I can't put in mulch in the bare areas around the edge as it would just float. I'm attempting to plant enough there to overcome this, and dig a small trench for runoff. Taking all the blocks up now is not an option.
linda01746
16 years ago
Thanks for the advice, wantoretire_did.
lindagsings
Original Author
16 years ago
Currently we are at a stand still with the project, we had so much rain the rock has started to harden in places before being leveled out. And we did end up removing the sand to re use on top of the rock. Not to mention it is very time consuming for one person. We are considering hiring out to finish the project. I have had others advice about the weed barrier as well, sounds like a good idea. My parents patio that was completed before ours... which was my idea first... have an army of ants coming up through their blocks.

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