Quarry Tiles For Patio - What Sub Base to Use? Post your questions and get answers regarding all areas of drives, pathways and patios

[carlos23]

Hi

I will be laying a patio using quarry tiles (currently a lawn) and was wondering what needs to go underneath the tiles? For slabs I have read a hardcore, then sand/cement combination would be suitable but does this also apply to quarry tiles? I have read elsewhere that quarry tiles should be laid on concrete but still haven't found a definite answer.

FYI, my soil is a heavy clay type.

Any advice would be most welcome.

Cheers

[welsh brickie]

quarry tiles need to be laid on a concrete base,I would lay layer of 75/100mm hardcore and compact it and then 75mm of concrete

[carlos23]

Thanks for your reply.

Excuse me if this is a thick question, but what ratio of sand/cement etc would you use for concrete and for mortar to be used to fix tiles to concrete?

Thanks again for your help!

[welsh brickie]

for the concrete use aggregate and coarse sand mix 6 to 1 cement
quarry tiles 4 sharp sand to 1 cement .
If you can get the concrete level enough, you can use exterior tile adhesive instead

[carlos23]

Thanks for your clear advice Welsh Brickie!

I think I just have two more questions and then I think I'm good to go!....

1. How deep should the layer of mortar to sit the tiles be? I am about to take off the turf that is currently where the patio will be and want to make sure I take it down deep enough and get the exact measurements right. I will be tiling up to the edge of the garage so need to get it accurate!

2. Am I right in thinking the hardcore should be in about 40 - 50 mm diameter pieces? I have a load of hardcore I am breaking down so trying to get the size right.

Thanks again for your great advice I am sure this will be of use to others too as there doesn't seem to much info to be found on how to lay quarry tiles as part of a patio.

Cheers!

[welsh brickie]

you can lay the mortar from 10mm to 50mm thick.The hardcore is fine just compact it well you can hire a compactor from your local hire centre.

[carlos23]

Thanks again for your reply.

Is it just a matter of preference whether to go for a 10mm up to 50mm depth of mortar or is there something I need to check for to decide on what depth to use?

As the area to be covered is quite large - 27m2 - should I embed rebar or mesh or make use of control joints every so often to avoid any risk of the concrete cracking?

Thanks again for your good advice.

Cheers

[welsh brickie]

[quote="carlos23"]Thanks again for your reply.

Is it just a matter of preference whether to go for a 10mm up to 50mm depth of mortar or is there something I need to check for to decide on what depth to use?

As the area to be covered is quite large - 27m2 - should I embed rebar or mesh or make use of control joints every so often to avoid any risk of the concrete cracking?

Thanks again for your good advice.
Yes its quite a large area I would use reinforcing mesh,The depth of the mortar is just a guideline you can create your levels with the depth of mortar,10-20mm is ideal.Expansion joints look unsightly,I would let the concrete fully set for a week to see if it cracks,but I dont think they are nessasary in this instance