Our pool has been filled and operational for almost a month now and we are getting quotations from contractors for a paving stone deck around the pool. I have been getting different opinions from contractors on how to set the pavers around the pool. Some companies pour a concrete slab which is tied into the pool rebars (which are currently bent flat against the ground) and others use a recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) base. I was told that at least one of the paving stone manufacturer's (Cambridge) void their warranty if the pavers are set on top of concrete.
I am leaning towards a contractor who will excavate around the pool and install a 6" RCA sub-base and compact it to 95% density. He then sets the pavers on top of a 1" layer of blue stone dust and then fills the joints in with fine sand. I am worried about future settlling around the pool. The other contractors who pour a concrete slab as the base state that the slab is supported independant of the excavated earth around the pool and will not settle. By the way, the pool builder also installed sonotubes around the pool to support the pool deck from undisturbed soil below.
So, I am looking for opinions on the best method of installation. Also, how long should I wait for the ground to settle if I don't go with a concrete sub-base?
I am leaning towards a contractor who will excavate around the pool and install a 6" RCA sub-base and compact it to 95% density. He then sets the pavers on top of a 1" layer of blue stone dust and then fills the joints in with fine sand. I am worried about future settlling around the pool. The other contractors who pour a concrete slab as the base state that the slab is supported independant of the excavated earth around the pool and will not settle. By the way, the pool builder also installed sonotubes around the pool to support the pool deck from undisturbed soil below.
So, I am looking for opinions on the best method of installation. Also, how long should I wait for the ground to settle if I don't go with a concrete sub-base?