Travertine Pavers: Sand or Concrete Base?

[pjt]

Is it worth the extra money to have a concrete base for travertine pavers? Most of the PBs here install them with a sand base.

 

[ajw22]

Pool build turned into a nightmare - travertine help

Anyone who has travertine can you say if the fact that there's uneven pieces and pieces popping up if that is common or not at all? There's numerous spots where there's "toe stub" spots and not level. My PB keeps saying that it's how it is with travertine because it's "tumbled" and that it won't...

www.troublefreepool.com

Travertine patio: how did they lay yours down

I am told two different ways by two different landscapers. One is using a process that has a 7 day curing process so the travertine can adhere to it or others mentioned just using concrete sand and then crushed stone. How was your travertine installed and do you live somewhere where it...

www.troublefreepool.com

Pavers over concrete-thin vs thick pavers

Has anyone had pavers put over concrete slab? If so, have you had any problems? Is anyone aware of any downsides to thin pavers? We have a concrete slab border against the house and the pool company wants to go over it and I think they'll have to use thin pavers on top of it, otherwise it will...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I would pay for the concrete base. Even when installed properly on sand, the ground eventually shifts and swells enough times over many years and that will cause pavers to sink and move. On a concrete base, that is highly unlikely.

 

[Neto]

If you want a permanent installation, then concrete base is your choice.

 

[OliviaT]

I just found this thread, wondering the same. We’re in Northern California where the ground doesn’t really freeze. Our existing concrete isn’t totally level after 30 years and is getting ripped out in our remodel, and I’m wondering if compacted rock would actually be easier to fix if the ground is going to move anyway? It’s also $15k more to do new concrete.

 

[brimorga]

I just found this thread, wondering the same. We’re in Northern California where the ground doesn’t really freeze. Our existing concrete isn’t totally level after 30 years and is getting ripped out in our remodel, and I’m wondering if compacted rock would actually be easier to fix if the ground is going to move anyway? It’s also $15k more to do new concrete.

I’ve read a lot about this and all the decking contractors I spoke with in Northern CA did not recommend concrete. We have earthquakes and the consensus was it’s easier to fix, if needed, when over sand.

 

[OliviaT]

I’ve read a lot about this and all the decking contractors I spoke with in Northern CA did not recommend concrete. We have earthquakes and the consensus was it’s easier to fix, if needed, when over sand.

Super interesting. That makes sense. Pool builder (Herb’s), the mason installing the travertine, and stone supplier all told me to do concrete as it will last much longer and require less maintenance. We were leaning that way, despite the premium.

 

[Tcadwall0]

Mine is compacted driveway gravel sub base. Then over that, is granite screenings instead of sand. This is heavier and after compacted feels more like a solid surface when you walk on it. The travertine was installed on top of that. This being said there will be some settling in the first year that will require some minor re-leveling. I would MUCH rather have this, and not have to break up concrete in the future if there was a repair needed to plumbing or anything else underground.

 

[OliviaT]

In case it’s helpful to anyone else trying to figure out what to do in the future, here’s the advice from the stone expert I’ve been working with and come to respect and trust, and what he’s doing in his own pool remodel (with limestone pavers):

I am removing my concrete pool deck which is 4" thick and re pouring the Concrete Pad to 2" thick on one long and two ends, on the other long side is going to be compacted base and sand, to sand set the stone, for I have drainage lines in that section I might need to access one day, otherwise I would have poured Concrete in that section also.

I would pour concrete over a Compacted Base especially for a pool deck, it will pay dividends in the long term, easy maintenance, if you are planning on selling in a few years then you could probably get away with the sand set option, but if this is a place for the long term go with concrete.

I think we’re also going to go with concrete, except over the plumbing lines, based on advice of everyone who’s seen our terrain.