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Install and Compact Class 5 Base

2:15
9:40
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How to Build a Patio - An easy Do it Yourself Project

What happens here

After compacting the subbase, import and apply the base material, preferably Class 5 aggregate. Class 5 is a mixture of 3/4-inch rock with fines, which gives it a cohesive nature, allowing it to stay uniform once compacted. For standard patio applications, a 6-inch deep compacted Class 5 base is sufficient. For driveways or areas with heavy vehicle traffic, deepen the base to 8 or even 10 inches. Commercial sites, like those for semi-trucks, can use up to a foot of base material. When installing, use two lifts of material and compact each lift thoroughly to ensure maximum density and long-term stability.

Goal: Lay and compact the Class 5 aggregate to specified depth

Tools and materials

  • Class 5 Aggregate — Providing the main structural base layer for the patio
  • Plate Compactor Wacker Neuson — Compacting the Class 5 aggregate