I am plannin gon using the walkmaker molds to build a patio in my backyard. All instructions and sites I have found so far say to just place it on top of existing ground. Any help or advice would be great. have you used these before? Would you recommend using a sand or gravel base??

HEEEEEELP!!!!

If you want it to last a long time, you would need to put a decent base under it, but it will work on top of existing soil ok, I used it in my dog pen and it stayed fairly flat for the few years I lived there. Depending on your soil bed you could probably get away with digging down 6" and putting in a crushed stone base and compacting it then use the walk maker. That will last a good long time. I myself did that kind of base for a concrete slab patio that held up 10 years until I moved and is probably still holding up well. I live in IL.

I used the WalkMaker molds about 8 years ago. At that time I used it per instructions. What it did is create a flat sided (concrete) stone that can be moved. Once you fill the cracks with sand to walk is fairly stable. If you use it this way I would suggest using weed block fabric as a surface (this is the answer to you question).

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I am about to try it a different way. I am going to pour a 12x24 foot (4 in. thick) patio by my detached garage. As soon as the concrete is poured I will use the "basket weave" Quikcrete mold. I will press this mold into the newly formed concrete right after is is poured to make a pattern. I will allow this to dry and then I will use concrete stain the color of bricks and then a sealer. You can obtain the mold that are not available at Low's from the following website:
( http://ww.walkmaker.com/walkmaker_patterns.shtml ). Good Luck with your project... Ron P.