1 year old patio. Is this settlement?

[FlamRackett]

Block paving laid Feb of last year. After a few months, noticed water pooling against house.
Took 6 months of daily chasing (and changing Google review to negative) for company to come out and fit short drain going to down pipe.

The blue circle area has a more noticeable dip (metre stick image) and I've included their statement of works from the invoice. I had to work while a lot of the work happened but I'm fairly sure they did everything listed.

Is this patio settlement and do I need to be worried? Wont have the money to get it fixed for a while if so. Would appreciate any advice as currently panicking slightly.

House is 1960's building semi-detached.

Thank you

 

[23vc]

Shocker. Any broken drain runs underneath causing things to sink, or just a rubbish job?
Reputable firm or a “temporary” one?

 

[noseall]

Block paving laid Feb of last year. After a few months, noticed water pooling against house.

One of the issues I see immediately is that you have very modest falls. This means that the paving has to be bob-on. ANY slight depressions will show when it rains. It could be something as simple as a pocket of wet sand beneath some previously aggressive compacting.
Fortunately, it is easily remedied.

 

[FlamRackett]

Thanks both for replies.

Shocker. Any broken drain runs underneath causing things to sink, or just a rubbish job?
Reputable firm or a “temporary” one?

There is a nearby downpipe that goes to a soakaway, but unclear if this would be broken underneath.
Temporary firm unfortunately. During the 6 months of hassling, discovered that the manager was travelling around, and the business not running.

One of the issues I see immediately is that you have very modest falls. This means that the paving has to be bob-on. ANY slight depressions will show when it rains. It could be something as simple as a pocket of wet sand beneath some previously aggressive compacting.
Fortunately, it is easily remedied.

Thanks for the detailed reply. Is it likely to sink further with more rain and pooled water?

 

[noseall]

Thanks for the detailed reply. Is it likely to sink further with more rain and pooled water?

Unlikely to be influenced from above - no. As I said, block paving is great for retrospectively working on and scar free.

We'd lift the blocks (about 4sq/m or so) and create a slight camber peaking at the centre of those doors.

 

[FlamRackett]

Unlikely to be influenced from above - no. As I said, block paving is great for retrospectively working on and scar free.

We'd lift the blocks (about 4sq/m or so) and create a slight camber peaking at the centre of those doors.

Good to know, thank you. You've put my mind somewhat at ease.

I understand if you can't give an accurate estimate, but what would you expect that to cost, to lift that area of blocks and create the camber?

 

[noseall]

Good to know, thank you. You've put my mind somewhat at ease.

I understand if you can't give an accurate estimate, but what would you expect that to cost, to lift that area of blocks and create the camber?

£300 tops. Do you have any spare blocks?

 

[FlamRackett]

£300 tops. Do you have any spare blocks?

Thanks. Yes have some spare blocks that were lifted when the company FINALLY come out to fit a drain near the patio door.

Thanks for all your advice

 

[23vc]

Heck of a dip under that spirit level, but hope it’s just as noseall says if that bits a one off

 

[Cheslea2010]

It's a sub-base failure and is entirely the contractors problem to rectify. Any contractor worth their salt would not have an issue in sorting this. Can't understand why they would not be forthcoming in sorting this as it isn't a difficult job to rectify.

 

[FlamRackett]

It's a sub-base failure and is entirely the contractors problem to rectify. Any contractor worth their salt would not have an issue in sorting this. Can't understand why they would not be forthcoming in sorting this as it isn't a difficult job to rectify.

Hi Chelsea, thanks for reply. They were extremely difficult to deal with to have fit a drain where water was pooling against the house.
6 months of daily calls and they finally arrived.
I would rather have another firm do it.

Thanks again

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Take it all up and re-lay. If one bit's sunk that much in one year then the rest probably isn't far behind.

Thankfully as it's block paving it's all re-usable. If it was concrete or possibly paving then it would be a total loss, so things aren't so bad really.

 

[stevie888]

Chances are they didn't compact the base properly. My daughters place's previous know-all diy disaster dug all the front garden out about 5-600mm deep and filled with type 1 but no compaction whatever so seh now has ruts 70 odd deep. Dad will supervise their rectifuication one of these days.

 

[FlamRackett]

Chances are they didn't compact the base properly. My daughters place's previous know-all diy disaster dug all the front garden out about 5-600mm deep and filled with type 1 but no compaction whatever so seh now has ruts 70 odd deep. Dad will supervise their rectifuication one of these days.

Hi Stevie, thanks for response. I saw them use this electric stamper-like machine across the base before laying the blocks, but maybe it wasn't compacted.

I've looked up the company again and they're now registered on gov.uk and have a new office. Maybe I will pursue them again for this, even take it to trading standards if I have to.

 

[noseall]

Take it all up and re-lay. If one bit's sunk that much in one year then the rest probably isn't far behind.

It was very likely laid (wackered) that way.