Tearing out a deck out and replacing it with pavers

[HoggI74]

4 inches isn't enough ... that's why your wife had to step out on you.

But, seriously, in harsher, more variable climates, 6 inches is the minimum acceptable. 8 inches preferred, and you can go deeper still.

And, no, you don't have a 30,000 foot patio. 30,000 SF is 2/3 of a football field.

And it's not a concrete pad under pavers.

You seem confused.

No, you don't pour 6 or 8 inches on a patio, 4 inches is right. Frost will raise any thickness of slab. Just make sure it's sawed as soon as possible, sprayed with Cure & Seal when done troweling and kept moist for a few days if super hot outside...

 

[WDDT]

You’re not the only one that knows their way around a shovel homie! Built to last is my motto.

P.S. That tree is going to eventually topple your retaining wall. You should have checked with me first.

Smh.


There is no tree near a retaining wall. I did build a 119 ft retaining wall however the project you are talking about was a flower bed. The English oak you are referring to has a max trunk diameter of roughly 4 ft. The center of that tree is 36 inches from the front lip of the flower bed. In the rare event in about 25 years that tree pushes the front of that bed 12 inches away crooked Ill go realign the single layer blocks at the front of that wall. Meanwhile its in a perfect spot and growing straight as an arrow.

The blocks in that image were 22 pound flat sides. There was nothing "retaining wall" about them.


Now... want to see my latest project?

 

[Moral]

Good to have a slab crack thread again.

 

[PalmettoTiger1]

You poured a 175x 175 slab?

Actually multiple slabs for building of pool area for sitting relaxing TV eating tables. Along with walk ways all over the place to house in front

median between road and sidewalk so I don’t have to edge. Cook house

Pool decking area

and so on

when I say pavers at least 6 truck loads and I mean full loads

did all this back in the days I was in my late 60’s

could not dream of doing it now physically

some good advice don’t use fiber blades to cut brick

I used 7 1/4 skil saw to DRY cut pavers where needed to fit and the fiber blades costing like $2 lasted maybe 1 good cut before being worn a small. Amount which would not go all way through paver so made for lots of blade waste

Got into using $40 per 7 1/4 blade diamond blades which lasted like believe it or not 450 to 900 pavers depending on cuts

tons of pavers and tons of cuts

Yep just the paver bills were huge

Hope this helps

 

[PalmettoTiger1]

I took it to mean he poured a slab and inset pavers. Like this idea:

( maybe so the edges were all finished.) Either way. Almost zero chance he poured a 175 fr square unless by he he means he had a concrete company do it.)

To help understand the pad I hired a contractor who I knew and had all the batter boards set up with elevations and strings and had drain troughs set to heights in the total pours

took about 4 men a week or two to pour all the 4 inch base which could be described as sidewalks which then had pavers laid on top or had say flat 30 foot x 30 foot flat concrete pads which then had pavers laid on top

Used some wire but mostly 4500 pound strength with fiber to help with bonding to avoid cracking if any ground settlement occurred

we floated all the concrete smooth but not using the smoothing to I call it glass surface which is really slick

just smooth enough to lay brick

 

[WDDT]

Actually multiple slabs for building of pool area for sitting relaxing TV eating tables. Along with walk ways all over the place to house in front

median between road and sidewalk so I don’t have to edge. Cook house

Pool decking area

and so on

when I say pavers at least 6 truck loads and I mean full loads

did all this back in the days I was in my late 60’s

could not dream of doing it now physically

some good advice don’t use fiber blades to cut brick

I used 7 1/4 skil saw to DRY cut pavers where needed to fit and the fiber blades costing like $2 lasted maybe 1 good cut before being worn a small. Amount which would not go all way through paver so made for lots of blade waste

Got into using $40 per 7 1/4 blade diamond blades which lasted like believe it or not 450 to 900 pavers depending on cuts

tons of pavers and tons of cuts

Yep just the paver bills were huge

Hope this helps

6 full loads was a major red flag. You are full of shir bruv... Ive moved 89 tons of material in the last 18 months with a wheelbarrow 0 chance you had that math figured out and now AI makes it simple.


**Assumptions:** 18"×18" concrete pavers, 2" thick, standard density (~150 lbs/ft³); standard semi truck with 80,000 lb GVW and ~45,000–48,000 lb usable payload.

**Per-paver weight:**
18 × 18 × 2 in = 648 in³ = 0.375 ft³ → 0.375 × 150 lbs/ft³ ≈ **56 lbs/paver**

**Per-paver coverage:**
1.5 ft × 1.5 ft = **2.25 ft²/paver**

**Per truck:**
- 45,000–48,000 lbs ÷ 56 lbs ≈ **800–855 pavers**
- Adjusted for pallet weight (~40–50 lbs/pallet): **~780–840 pavers** (more realistic)

**6 trucks total:**
- Paver count: **~4,800–5,100** (raw weight-based) → **~4,680–5,040** (pallet-adjusted)
- Working estimate: **~4,900–5,000 pavers**

**Total coverage (6 trucks):**
- Raw paver area: **~10,800–11,500 ft²** (working estimate: ~11,000–11,250 ft²)
- Real-world usable coverage (accounting for joint gaps ~1–3% and cut/waste overage ~5–10%): **~10,000–10,500 ft²**

**Key variables that would tighten these numbers:** actual paver density (concrete mixes range ~140–160 lbs/ft³), exact tractor/trailer tare weight, pallet configuration (pavers per pallet), and job-site cut waste percentage.


Also:

 

[RollingballofButcherKnives]

6 full loads was a major red flag. You are full of shir bruv... Ive moved 89 tons of material in the last 18 months with a wheelbarrow 0 chance you had that math figured out and now AI makes it simple.


**Assumptions:** 18"×18" concrete pavers, 2" thick, standard density (~150 lbs/ft³); standard semi truck with 80,000 lb GVW and ~45,000–48,000 lb usable payload.

**Per-paver weight:**
18 × 18 × 2 in = 648 in³ = 0.375 ft³ → 0.375 × 150 lbs/ft³ ≈ **56 lbs/paver**

**Per-paver coverage:**
1.5 ft × 1.5 ft = **2.25 ft²/paver**

**Per truck:**
- 45,000–48,000 lbs ÷ 56 lbs ≈ **800–855 pavers**
- Adjusted for pallet weight (~40–50 lbs/pallet): **~780–840 pavers** (more realistic)

**6 trucks total:**
- Paver count: **~4,800–5,100** (raw weight-based) → **~4,680–5,040** (pallet-adjusted)
- Working estimate: **~4,900–5,000 pavers**

**Total coverage (6 trucks):**
- Raw paver area: **~10,800–11,500 ft²** (working estimate: ~11,000–11,250 ft²)
- Real-world usable coverage (accounting for joint gaps ~1–3% and cut/waste overage ~5–10%): **~10,000–10,500 ft²**

**Key variables that would tighten these numbers:** actual paver density (concrete mixes range ~140–160 lbs/ft³), exact tractor/trailer tare weight, pallet configuration (pavers per pallet), and job-site cut waste percentage.


Also:

Haha. Look at those little smokies!!!

 

[Moogy]

No, you don't pour 6 or 8 inches on a patio, inches is right. Frost will raise any thickness of slab. Just make sure it's sawed as soon as possible, sprayed with Cure & Seal when done troweling and kept moist for a few days if super hot outside...

Wut? You’re confused. No one suggested “pouring” 6 or 8 inches on a patio.

 

[HoggI74]

Wut? You’re confused. No one suggested “pouring” 6 or 8 inches on a patio.

@PalmettoTiger1 said: "
Pour a 4 inch pad and lay the pavers on that
Flat level or slightly sloping surface "

To which you replied:
"4 inches isn't enough ... that's why your wife had to step out on you.

But, seriously, in harsher, more variable climates, 6 inches is the minimum acceptable. 8 inches preferred, and you can go deeper still. "

Who's confused me or you?

 

[Wobmam Rulez!]

Actually multiple slabs for building of pool area for sitting relaxing TV eating tables. Along with walk ways all over the place to house in front

median between road and sidewalk so I don’t have to edge. Cook house

Pool decking area

and so on

when I say pavers at least 6 truck loads and I mean full loads

did all this back in the days I was in my late 60’s

could not dream of doing it now physically

some good advice don’t use fiber blades to cut brick

I used 7 1/4 skil saw to DRY cut pavers where needed to fit and the fiber blades costing like $2 lasted maybe 1 good cut before being worn a small. Amount which would not go all way through paver so made for lots of blade waste

Got into using $40 per 7 1/4 blade diamond blades which lasted like believe it or not 450 to 900 pavers depending on cuts

tons of pavers and tons of cuts

Yep just the paver bills were huge

Hope this helps

Post a picture of it, please.

 

[LiveFreeOrDie97]

Smh.


There is no tree near a retaining wall. I did build a 119 ft retaining wall however the project you are talking about was a flower bed. The English oak you are referring to has a max trunk diameter of roughly 4 ft. The center of that tree is 36 inches from the front lip of the flower bed. In the rare event in about 25 years that tree pushes the front of that bed 12 inches away crooked Ill go realign the single layer blocks at the front of that wall. Meanwhile its in a perfect spot and growing straight as an arrow.

The blocks in that image were 22 pound flat sides. There was nothing "retaining wall" about them.


Now... want to see my latest project?

It took my kids a while to figure out I was brilliant too. I’m patient.

That said, yes show me your next project. I’ll help you succeed. If you’ve got the back for it.

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

It took my kids a while to figure out I was brilliant too. I’m patient.

That said, yes show me your next project. I’ll help you succeed. If you’ve got the back for it.

He didn't say "taking out a dick and glazing it with favors."

Jeezus.

 

[PalmettoTiger1]

@PalmettoTiger1 said: "
Pour a 4 inch pad and lay the pavers on that
Flat level or slightly sloping surface "

To which you replied:
"4 inches isn't enough ... that's why your wife had to step out on you.

But, seriously, in harsher, more variable climates, 6 inches is the minimum acceptable. 8 inches preferred, and you can go deeper still. "

Who's confused me or you?

confused here. On the pouring of concrete in lower South Carolina sidewalks are usually 4 inches thick what I have seen

Thicker better in unstable soils but in my area and yard I go with 4 inch

Now I have done some military tank fueling areas where we did 12 inch thick with rebar tied into the pour including fiber and I think 4500 pound strength concrete with a slow cure rate to help harden the concrete more

On the 6 and 8 inch thick concrete that depends on loading such as cars with 4000 pounds versus 18 wheelers loaded with 100,000 pounds

 

[LiveFreeOrDie97]

He didn't say "taking out a dick and glazing it with favors."

Jeezus.

You out in CR drinking tonight or knocking them back at home broseph?

 

[PalmettoTiger1]

6 full loads was a major red flag. You are full of shir bruv... Ive moved 89 tons of material in the last 18 months with a wheelbarrow 0 chance you had that math figured out and now AI makes it simple.


**Assumptions:** 18"×18" concrete pavers, 2" thick, standard density (~150 lbs/ft³); standard semi truck with 80,000 lb GVW and ~45,000–48,000 lb usable payload.

**Per-paver weight:**
18 × 18 × 2 in = 648 in³ = 0.375 ft³ → 0.375 × 150 lbs/ft³ ≈ **56 lbs/paver**

**Per-paver coverage:**
1.5 ft × 1.5 ft = **2.25 ft²/paver**

**Per truck:**
- 45,000–48,000 lbs ÷ 56 lbs ≈ **800–855 pavers**
- Adjusted for pallet weight (~40–50 lbs/pallet): **~780–840 pavers** (more realistic)

**6 trucks total:**
- Paver count: **~4,800–5,100** (raw weight-based) → **~4,680–5,040** (pallet-adjusted)
- Working estimate: **~4,900–5,000 pavers**

**Total coverage (6 trucks):**
- Raw paver area: **~10,800–11,500 ft²** (working estimate: ~11,000–11,250 ft²)
- Real-world usable coverage (accounting for joint gaps ~1–3% and cut/waste overage ~5–10%): **~10,000–10,500 ft²**

**Key variables that would tighten these numbers:** actual paver density (concrete mixes range ~140–160 lbs/ft³), exact tractor/trailer tare weight, pallet configuration (pavers per pallet), and job-site cut waste percentage.


Also:

I could be off on the tonnage and it has been almost a decade ago when I did this project with some help but the paver laying and forming was 100% on me

Another thing I did was where I came to the junction of the concrete ending and the earth beginning whether grass flower beds or trees I bought 1 inch thick 2 foot x 4 foot x 8 foot sheets styreform and cut it into 2 foot wide pieces and put it under the outside edge of sidewalks and pads being poured to try and stop roots from growing underneath the pad

Had a concrete guy suggest this 10 years ago to me and it was cheap back then so why. Not

in reality have never had grass shrubbery or a tree root grow underneath pads

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

You out in CR drinking tonight or knocking them back at home broseph?

I'm righteous shredding Mt. Washington backcountry, brah!!!

 

[LiveFreeOrDie97]

I'm righteous shredding Mt. Washington backcountry, brah!!!

Clouds are moving out but the winds are going to keep consistent through tomorrow. You heading up Lions Head summer?

Or maybe back in Ioway building your milfy pud whack material at Zeppelins?

 

[PalmettoTiger1]

Your patio is more than a half an acre?

lots of walkways 4 and 6 foot wide big sitting area if you add all the hardscaped area together it may not be 30,000 square feet based an acre being 44,560 square feet

I was pulling numbers out of memory

On just guessing walkways 6 foot wide I can easily count around 500 linear feet and then I have a
Two large eating and sitting areas one around pool and second around BBQ cookhouse and some leads to barn

maybe more like 15,000 square feet

maybe I will get some energy and measure it

love what I got but two things

I would never want to do that mostly paver project and buildings again as the cost even with me as the DIY was huge and the backbreaking work was a killer

love what I have to sit in and drink tequilia but that baby is done and never to be repeated by me LOL

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

Clouds are moving out but the winds are going to keep consistent through tomorrow. You heading up Lions Head summer?

Or maybe back in Ioway building your milfy pud whack material at Zeppelins?

I, unlike you, haven't lived in Iowa since GWB was president,

ya

big

old

phaggot.

 

[LiveFreeOrDie97]

I, unlike you, haven't lived in Iowa since GWB was president,

ya

big

old

phaggot.

Calm down drunk.






and quit lying.

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

Calm down drunk.






and quit lying.

Lying?

You're NOT a phaggot?

 

[LiveFreeOrDie97]

Lying?

You're NOT a phaggot?

correct. You in the hard liquor already?


correct. Edit to add: nice job getting the apostrophe right considering your current mental state. Applause to you.

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

Good to have a slab crack thread again.

R UR DMz open 4 taking MS Paint commissionz?

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

correct.


correct.

You'll alwayz B kweer in my book, Jennifer!

 

[LiveFreeOrDie97]

You'll alwayz B kweer in my book, Jennifer!

I’m not an alcoholic so I’m posting this for you now. Enjoy the next 4 hours in Cedar Rapids. You won’t remember it in the morning.

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

I’m not an alcoholic so I’m posting this for you now. Enjoy the next 4 hours in Cedar Rapids. You won’t remember it in the morning.

You got me.

I'm at Big Kahuna's and then we're headed to The Drite!

How's it going in Manchester, phaggot?

 

[LiveFreeOrDie97]

You got me.

I'm at Big Kahuna's and then we're headed to The Drite!

How's it going in Manchester, phaggot?

WhaT iS a DRite?!

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

WhaT iS a DRite?!

Oh, I figgered u knew CR, phaggot.

 

[LiveFreeOrDie97]

Oh, I figgered u knew CR, phaggot.

You’re losing this battle. I love to see it. Drunk.

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

You’re losing this battle. I love to see it. Drunk.

Oh, gawd, ur right. When u say, "You're losing this battle" after what you consider "baiting" for hours, then a muzziefucker knows he's outclassed!

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

You’re losing this battle. I love to see it. Drunk.

I look forward to meeting you next June at the St. Ludmila's Kolache Fest, ya big ol' phaggot!

 

[LiveFreeOrDie97]

I look forward to meeting you next June at the St. Ludmila's Kolache Fest, ya big ol' phaggot!

Lulz. Perfect. You responded to my post twice…you excitable, drunk freak show.

Are you going to remember this tomorrow?

 

[lucas80]

No, you don't pour 6 or 8 inches on a patio, 4 inches is right. Frost will raise any thickness of slab. Just make sure it's sawed as soon as possible, sprayed with Cure & Seal when done troweling and kept moist for a few days if super hot outside...

LOL, 8 inches. You concrete boys exaggerate everything.

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

Lulz. Perfect. You responded to my post twice…you excitable, drunk freak show.

Are you going to remember this tomorrow?

You're the phaggot who asked twice, ya big ol' phaggot.

Are you from Winterset, like that @JWolf74 phaggot?

Did U know he believes @TarponSpringsNole has a "lady brain?"


A fat fella, from Winterset, educated at the esteemed DMU, believes @TarponSpringsNole is a WOMAN, based on the opinion of @TarponSpringsNole.

 

[LiveFreeOrDie97]

You're the phaggot who asked twice, ya big ol' phaggot.

Are you from Winterset, like that @JWolf74 phaggot?

Did U know he believes @TarponSpringsNole has a "lady brain?"


A fat fella, from Winterset, educated at the esteemed DMU, believes @TarponSpringsNole is a WOMAN, based on the opinion of @TarponSpringsNole.

I’ve broken you. Too easy. Stay away from the jagermeister tonight you skirt. Lulz. What a mess.

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

I’ve broken you. Too easy. Stay away from the jagermeister tonight you skirt. Lulz. What a mess.

 

[WigPen]

If you drop the existing patio to ground level, wouldn't your windows look too high up as I assume they are at proper height now with the 4ft deck? We had a similar situation and ended up going the trex route to keep the height the same as before. One of my neighbors redid their deck to a stone patio but also had it raised near the house to keep the window height same as before.

 

[Tenacious E_rivals41982]

If you drop the existing patio to ground level, wouldn't your windows look too high up as I assume they are at proper height now with the 4ft deck? We had a similar situation and ended up going the trex route to keep the height the same as before. One of my neighbors redid their deck to a stone patio but also had it raised near the house to keep the window height same as before.

Could be right. The other options I’m looking at are doing the same footprint of the patio concept but with expanding my existing deck, or perhaps converting the existing deck into a screened in porch. We are over a year out so I’m just gathering facts and opinions right now.

 

[WigPen]

Could be right. The other options I’m looking at are doing the same footprint of the patio concept but with expanding my existing deck, or perhaps converting the existing deck into a screened in porch. We are over a year out so I’m just gathering facts and opinions right now.

My neighbors blue stone patio looks solid. He did multi level. So by the house it's the same height as the original patio and then he maybe had a step down to the next level and so on. It looks very high end and has that resort feel to it where you can have a sitting area in one area, then a lounge in the other, firepit, etc.. Just be prepared to pay extra as the highest level will need to be built up.

Our trex deck came out great as well to be honest. Used two different colors for the boards with an accent border and slim railings with built-in lighting for steps and rails. Don't skimp on the lighting and forgo solar. Go electric. Well worth it.

Good luck.