Is your patio actually sinking, or was the prep just skipped?

I’ve been seeing a lot of posts lately about patios "dipping" or "bowing" after just a few seasons, and I wanted to clear up a common myth. Most people call it "natural settling," but 90% of the time, it’s actually sub-base settlement that could have been avoided.

When you’re digging out a patio, you’re looking for subsidence. Basically making sure you aren't building on top of soft topsoil or old roots that will rot and collapse. But the real game-changer is the plate compactor. If the gravel base isn't compacted in small "lifts" (usually every 2-3 inches), those tiny air pockets stay in the ground until the first big rain or freeze. That’s when the patio starts its disappearing act.

It’s a huge headache to fix once the pavers are down, so if you're hiring a crew or doing it yourself this spring, don't let anyone tell you a hand-tamp is "good enough." Your foundation is everything!

Has anyone else here had to pull up a patio because the base work wasn't quite right?