Patio

[David DS]

Hi! I would like to replace my existing patio with porcelain tiles or sandstone tiles. A friend suggested I tile over the existing pavers but I don’t feel that is the right way to do it - several of them are loose/ wobbly and a couple are cracked. If I lift them all up I’m left with dirt as shown in the picture.

 

my idea would be to compact the dirt with a plate compactor, lay mortar, prime the tiles and lay - would this be ok? Or should I lay mortar on top of the existing pavers?

 

Thanks in advance 

 

David 

[Mr Punter]

You need a proper base.  Have a look at Paving Expert https://www.pavingexpert.com/ceramic_01

[Kelvin]

Like everything else it’s all in the prep. Get the base layer right and you won’t have wobbly tiles/slabs a few years down the line

[Andehh]

As above, dig out, buy MOT, lay min 150mm, hand tamp it down well, then full mortar base on top. 

 

[Radian]

33 minutes ago, Andehh said:

then full mortar base on top. 

^^^ Important advice that. Don't copy the way the old slabs were laid by plonking them down on dollops of mortar. It's a terrible shortcut that has all kinds of bad repercussions.

[Kelvin]

We need a 2m-3m strip around the house to enable the kit erection so intend to build up the area that will be patio in readiness 

[saveasteading]

Porcelain will be very slippy when wet. Also make sure any tiles are suitable for cold weather as well as nonslip.

I have observed paving laying differences uk and Spain.  You don't see a lot of cracks and potholes in a spanish street or square because of 1. The weather. But 2. Because under the tiles is a  reinforced concrete slab, suitable for forklifts. But good builders do the same in domestic situations too. 

Therefore as above...dig out some more ground, lay compacted stone. Then I would lay a concrete slab with mesh, 70 thick. Then the tiles or slab are a finish. All on a slope.

If you want, you can break up the existing material small,  to use as hard-core on the bottom.

[David DS]

Thank you to all for your comments, very helpful 

[Canski]

I'd disagree with porcelain being slippy when wet. I paved a large patio at my previous house in porcelain slabs and it wasn't slippy at all.

[Kelvin]

You can also get non-slip porcelain that has a slightly rough surface