13/06/2026
🏡 Why is my patio sinking?
This is one of the most common issues we see, and the answer is usually hidden beneath the slabs.
A patio doesn't sink because the paving itself has failed. It sinks because the foundations underneath have moved, settled or weren't installed correctly in the first place.
Some common causes include:
🔸 Insufficient sub-base – Not enough hardcore underneath the patio to support the weight.
🔸 Poor compaction – The groundwork wasn't compacted properly, allowing the ground to settle over time.
🔸 Incorrect bedding – Slabs laid on spot beds or patches of mortar rather than a full mortar bed can create weak points and movement.
🔸 Water and drainage issues – Water can wash away supporting material beneath the patio, causing voids and settlement.
🔸 Tree roots and ground movement – Roots, shrinking clay soils and changing ground conditions can all affect the stability of a patio.
A properly installed patio should be excavated to the correct depth, built on a compacted sub-base and laid on a full mortar bed. It's not the part you see that matters most—it's the groundwork underneath.
Think of it like a house. You can have the most expensive bricks in the world, but if the foundations aren't right, problems will eventually appear.
Have you noticed any sinking slabs, rocking paving or puddles forming on your patio? Drop a photo in the comments and we'll happily give our thoughts.
📍 Coventry | Bedworth | Nuneaton | Hinckley
