My daughter recently bought a house a couple of hours away, and it seems the previous owners didn't clear out some debris in the backyard before covering it with dirt. This has made it tough for her while cleaning up, especially with a puppy around. She's planning to create a 10' by 10' raised stone patio for a fire pit and seating area, but the concrete estimates are out of her budget. Instead, she ordered rock and block mix and is considering using pressure-treated 2x6 boards as a frame for the patio. I'm not too sure about this approach, as I'm worried about the block mix settling and the patio sinking over time. Has anyone successfully built something similar without traditional block or concrete forms?
4 Answers
It sounds like she's a bit lost in her plans. If she's trying to put pavers on dirt, it's not going to end well. The ground needs to be prepped right with gravel and soil compacted first to keep everything level.
It's better to clear the debris completely before building anything. Using various materials like wood and rock can create issues with compaction and decay.
She really shouldn't use 2x6's as edge restraint for pavers—they'll just warp and fail quickly. Instead, retaining wall blocks would be a smart move. Dig a strong footer, use gravel, and tamp it down to ensure it'll hold up.
Would those blocks be stable enough? What if she just skips the concrete altogether?
Absolutely! If she builds it right with the retaining wall blocks, it can be a solid patio without traditional concrete.
Yeah, pouring a concrete patio from bags can be super hard work. If she decides to go that route, definitely get a mixer. But remember, the base is crucial! She needs a solid gravel foundation or the patio could really fail over time.
Got it! She'll keep that in mind. But what if she's not using concrete?
Using an overlay can work, but pitch and drainage are vital. If she’s not careful, the slab can crack. Mixing all that by hand might be a nightmare, too!
Honestly, building without a proper base is a recipe for disaster. She needs crushed stone for stability and bedding sand for drainage. Those wooden boards won't hold up for long under pressure.
Yeah, I was wondering about that. She does have this block mix, though; maybe it can help?