Paver patio slope with retaining wall

[jtshooter27]

Good afternoon all, hoping I can get your input on a project I am starting in a few months.  I am building a paver patio in a retaining wall to hold a hot tub and my smoker and it will be against the house.  The current grade is sloping away from the house with a max difference of 13" from level, so the retaining wall wont be very tall and the patio area will be roughly 12'x15'

1. I need to give the patio about 1.5% slope, but I will also have a level retaining wall.  How do I match the two so the sides and front of the patio is level with the wall caps?  Do I somehow give the block retaining wall a 1.5% slope on the sides?  Just not sure how to keep the two planes even and level while giving the patio 1.5% slope.

2. The base of the patio will be 6" of AB3, 1" sand, and then the pavers.  Where the hot tub is, should i dig an "H" shape 36" deep and pour concrete in it to add strength to the base?

Let me know if I can be more clear or provide better information and thanks in advance for the help!

[barnowl]

Welcome to WoodNet.

One of our members is an absolute Pro at this sort of thing. And a really nice guy. 

His screen name is 2beast, and this is his profile.

https://forums.woodnet.net/member.php?ac...&uid=29461

Send him a PM, and invite his input in this thread.

[Snipe Hunter]

Yep, this is a job for 2beast

[jtshooter27]

Thanks guys, appreciate it!

[2beast]

Good afternoon all, hoping I can get your input on a project I am starting in a few months.  I am building a paver patio in a retaining wall to hold a hot tub and my smoker and it will be against the house.  The current grade is sloping away from the house with a max difference of 13" from level, so the retaining wall wont be very tall and the patio area will be roughly 12'x15'

1. I need to give the patio about 1.5% slope, but I will also have a level retaining wall.  How do I match the two so the sides and front of the patio is level with the wall caps?  Do I somehow give the block retaining wall a 1.5% slope on the sides?  Just not sure how to keep the two planes even and level while giving the patio 1.5% slope.

2. The base of the patio will be 6" of AB3, 1" sand, and then the pavers.  Where the hot tub is, should i dig an "H" shape 36" deep and pour concrete in it to add strength to the base?

Let me know if I can be more clear or provide better information and thanks in advance for the help!

Welcome JTS and thanks guys for the kind words.
Just to let you know, we are authorized contractors for one of the major upper tier paver companies.
We deal with this type of thing every day.

1) Do not slope your walls.
Walls should be installed level on a properly prepared base.
Fabric should be used in trenches and under all base materials for strength and separation.
You want a level surface for your hot tub

There are two possible ways I would handle this situation.
A) Figure where your  hot tub will be located and install a level base.
This area should be elevated and  placed on a crown.
The rest of you surface would then be sloped down to your finish elevation.
Even though in theory this will be sealed, I would add drainage to the walls.
In time when your paver sand develops leaks, water will enter you base.
Water makes base and walls fail.

B) This could be a permeable paver install situation thus handling your water.
Permeable pavers are made specifically to allow the use fine gravel between the pavers.
The water passes right through the surface, below into the base.
Proper drainage should be installed to handle the water that enters the base to exit the wall.
If done permeably,  would make the base deeper than 6"

2) Whichever way we install, we now install permeable base.
No AB3 and absolutely no sand.
Water is your enemy.
Settling occurs when water invades your base.
The solution is to use clean gravel base and 1" fine clean chips as a bedding.
Water passes cleanly through it taking no material with it and adding no hydraulic pressure against the walls.
Sand will eventually move, period.

Adding a concrete reinforcement is a good idea.

Good luck with your project.

[jtshooter27]

Welcome JTS and thanks guys for the kind words.
Just to let you know, we are authorized contractors for one of the major upper tier paver companies.
We deal with this type of thing every day.

1) Do not slope your walls.
Walls should be installed level on a properly prepared base.
Fabric should be used in trenches and under all base materials for strength and separation.
You want a level surface for your hot tub

There are two possible ways I would handle this situation.
A) Figure where your  hot tub will be located and install a level base.
This area should be elevated and  placed on a crown.
The rest of you surface would then be sloped down to your finish elevation.
Even though in theory this will be sealed, I would add drainage to the walls.
In time when your paver sand develops leaks, water will enter you base.
Water makes base and walls fail.

B) This could be a permeable paver install situation thus handling your water.
Permeable pavers are made specifically to allow the use fine gravel between the pavers.
The water passes right through the surface, below into the base.
Proper drainage should be installed to handle the water that enters the base to exit the wall.
If done permeably,  would make the base deeper than 6"

2) Whichever way we install, we now install permeable base.
No AB3 and absolutely no sand.
Water is your enemy.
Settling occurs when water invades your base.
The solution is to use clean gravel base and 1" fine clean chips as a bedding.
Water passes cleanly through it taking no material with it and adding no hydraulic pressure against the walls.
Sand will eventually move, period.

Adding a concrete reinforcement is a good idea.

Good luck with your project.

Excellent information, thank you!  I think I will go with option A.  One last question about the bedding, are there any other names for "1" fine clean chips"?  Want to make sure I purchase the right material and im having trouble finding what that is.  Thanks again!

[2beast]

1" is the thickness of the bedding layer.
3/8" is the chip size.
In our area it is classed as CA-16

[jtshooter27]

1" is the thickness of the bedding layer.
3/8" is the chip size.
In our area it is classed as CA-16

10-4, thank you sir!