Question
Richard,

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read my question!

We recently purchased a older (40+ years) home (original owner).  We now have a small patio area in the back, the patio consisting of large-er bricks, probably 4"x8" each, about three or four inches thick, over an area of about 8'x8'.

The problem that was noted during our home inspection is that it slopes slightly TOWARD the house, causing a negative grading problem.  Luckily, when there is water buildup, it is against the foundation that is NOT near the basement (it's next to the solid slab part of the garage floor).

Regardless, I'd like to take care of this problem as soon as the weather warms up (I am in central Ohio), probably mid to late March.

I am thinking to regrade AWAY from the house and attempt to set the slope so there is at least a 1 inch drop for every 12 inches away from the house.  I am also thinking to do this I need some fill dirt, remove the patio bricks, tamp down the dirt especially near the foundation, and work outward away from the house.

before I get fill dirt delivered to my house in March, I wanted to run this by someone who knows what they're doing - so ... does this sounds reasonable?  Anything you'd recommend doing differently and/or in addition to what I describe here?

Again, thank you in advance!

Rob

Answer
most patio blocks are set over 1" of sand w/2-4" of compacted crush stone under the sand.  i usually put a geotextile(weed mat) on the tamped dirt before placing the crushed stone.  the key is to tamp the dirt and crushed stone firmly w/a grade running away from the house.  screed the sand over 1" pipe to get a uniform 1" base of sand under the brick.  set the bricks and tamp them w/a tamper and a (2' X 2') 3/4" piece of plywood placed over the bricks for uniformity.  be careful not to crack any bricks.
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