How to build Absco shed on paver base?

Hi there

I am planning to build a abseco shed (3m x 2.26m) one in my garden. I have excavated an area which was buffalo grass before, and I am planning to use paver base which I have see other members in the community have done similar project. My question is follow:

1. with the exiting garden soil, should I put lime powder on the soil first? I saw another member who has done a project mentioned using the lime powder on the clayey soil.

2. Provided the area was grass before, after I level the soil using the tamper, do I need to put a weed mat on top first? I am worry the grass or weed will grow back.

3. Let say if 2 above is needed, what should I put next? Paver sand or I just lay the pavers directly on top of the weed mat?
4. If weed mat is needed, do I still need paver sands?
5. Once pavers are laid, so I need to use the jointing sands with water to make the pavers stick together?

thank you

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EricL

Hello @daniel_kwok72

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your shed base.

If you are referring to the Absco Sheds 3.00 x 2.26 x 2.00m Monument Premier Double Door Garden Shed, please note that Absco sheds are designed to be anchored to a concrete slab for stability and safety, and this is a strict requirement for maintaining their lifetime warranty. While other foundations can be used, a concrete slab is recommended by Absco for proper anchoring.

Please note that pavers are not heavy enough to anchor into and keep the shed safe from high velocity winds. If you decide to use pavers, I suggest installing large concrete piers poured into the ground in the four corners of your shed to anchor into. This will prevent your shed from being blown away in a heavy storm. As an alternative I suggest looking at the Garden shed on timber base by @Malcolm.

In regards to your questions, yes, you can put lime powder on clay soil. Using lime powder (specifically hydrated lime or quicklime) to treat clay soil before installing pavers is a highly effective, professional technique for reducing the soil's expansion, increasing its load-bearing capacity, and creating a stable, durable foundation. It would be best to remove all the grass and weeds and levelling the surface. Yes, you can put weedmat on the surface before putting the paving sand on top. I suggest using geotextile as it provides a more stable base. Yes, you still need to use paving sand even if you place weedmat on top. I also recommend building a timber border around the base to prevent the pavers from spreading out.

To fill the gaps between the pavers you can use the traditional mix of sand and cement.

I also recommend having a look at this discussion - How to build a paver base for a shed? by @NicholasE.

Here is a handy guide to pouring your own slab: How to pour a concrete slab by @tom_builds

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

daniel_kwok72

Thanks Eric. To fill the gaps between pavers, can I use the dingo Powerloc c paving sand with water to create bonding between pavers? And how deep should the paver sand layer is recommended, 20mm or 30mm? And how many bags of 20kg paving sand for 6 square meters with each depth?

EricL

Hello @daniel_kwok72

Yes, you can us Powerloc if you prefer to use that product. Please keep in mind that Powerloc is a filler and will not provide any type of hold on the pavers. I suggest a thickness of 20 to 30mm of paving sand for your pavers. You would need approximately 11 bags to have a thickness of 20mm and 15 bags for 30mm.

Eric

daniel_kwok72

So to fill the gaps between pavers, in your first you reply, you mentioned using traditional mix of sand and cement, are you referring to let say Bastion 20kg Concrete Mix with water when laying the pavers or you referring to, after laying all the pavers on top of the paver sand, then use australian builders 20kg sand and cement mix bag with a bloom to scrape the sand and cement power to fill the gaps and the spray the water onto the pavers and gaps?

EricL

Hi @daniel_kwok72

Yes, that is exactly what I am suggesting. The suggested ration is 4 parts sand and 1 part cement. It is possible to make a stronger mix if you wish such as 3:1. My best advice is to mix sand and cement very well before spreading over the pavers. Remember to use the mist function on your garden hose so as not to wash away the sand and cement mix.

Eric

daniel_kwok72

Can I just use this pre-mix australian-builders-20kg-sand-and-cement-mix-bag to spread over the pavers? I am trying to minimise the work I need so if there is a pre-mix package for sand and cement, I can just buy it off the shelf and use it. Or can you suggest other products which doesn't require mixing the sand and cement manually?

EricL

Hello @daniel_kwok72

I'm sorry but that product is not ideal for gap filling and is more suited to brick laying, render and patching. There is no pre-mixed product that can go directly into the gaps. If you are not keen to do a sand and cement mix, I suggest looking at your original suggestion which is Easy Mix 20kg Paver Bond Polymeric Sand.

Eric

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