Key takeaways
- Clay swells when wet and shrinks when dry.
- Excavate to depth and compact in lifts.
- Slope away from the house.
- Geotextile can help on soft soils.
Why clay is tricky
Red clay holds water, drains slowly and moves as it wets and dries. Hardscape built straight on top of it will settle and heave.
Excavate and replace
A proper patio removes organic topsoil and soft clay to a set depth and replaces it with compacted crushed stone in lifts. The stone base spreads loads and drains.
Fabric and drainage
Geotextile separates soil from stone on soft ground, and perimeter drains or swales move water off the patio. Surface slope of about one-quarter inch per foot sheds water.
Compact in lifts
Compacting the full base in one thick layer misses the bottom. Thin lifts compacted one at a time are the secret.
If your patio already sinks
Most sunken patios can be lifted, the base rebuilt and the pavers reset, with drainage fixed so it does not repeat.
Related services
Ready for a firm answer on your own yard? Try the Backyard Planner or call 615-431-3789 for a free design visit.