No whacker plate - no MOT type 1

[Newapprentice]

I want to put a few slabs down to make a short path, very light traffic.

After reading posts on this forum I believe I need to compact about 50 to 75mm of MOT type1, because I am on clay soil.

I don't want to hire a whacker plate for a small area and I can't buy small amounts of MOT type 1.

If I was to dig out to say 50mm and mix all-in-ballast with cement, say 5:1, and stamp this down under foot, then lay the slabs on top.

Do you think it will be okay.

Many thanks.

 

[RedHerring2]

I think you need to clarify 'light traffic'. Do you mean light foot traffic or light vehicle traffic?

You can make a hand tamper out of timber, just a length of 3" X 3", or similar. Used upright so you're tamping with the end.

Well tamped with a hand tamper, I suspect, if you went more like 75mm, or bedded on mortar, it would be OK for foot traffic only.

 

[Newapprentice]

Yes, light foot traffic.

I will definately bed on morter.

I can tamp down the 5:1 ballast/cement, then 30mm mortar.

How deep should I go with the ballast cement; 50mm or 75mm.

Many thanks.

 

[RedHerring2]

Bearing in mind I'm only a DIY'er, but I think 50mm will be OK given the other info' provided.

You might consider using a fabric to prevent weeds growing in the joints. Fabric should go down below your ballast mix.