Compact MOT Type 1 for a patio
Updated: 21 October 2026
Compact MOT Type 1 for a patio is a build-up question first: how deep the compacted layer should be, how water falls away from the house, and how thin each lift must be. Peter F. drew on Pavingexpert, Screwfix and Hireload, with the listings in the [plate compactor comparison](/hub/flooring-tools-and-accessories/plate-compactor), on 20 October 2026. This is not a patio we laid. A qualifying purchase can earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Start-up and passes are on [how to use a wacker plate](/hub/flooring-tools-and-accessories/plate-compactor/sub/plate-compactor-how-to-use).
Compact MOT Type 1 for a patio is a build-up question first: how deep the compacted layer should be, how water falls away from the house, and how thin each lift must be. Peter F.
Compact MOT Type 1 for a patio is a build-up question first: how deep the compacted layer should be, how water falls away from the house, and how thin each lift must be. Peter F. drew on Pavingexpert, Screwfix and Hireload, with the listings in the plate compactor comparison, on 20 October 2026. This is not a patio we laid. A qualifying purchase can earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Start-up and passes are on how to use a wacker plate.
Our top picks
| Badge | Product | Force | Plate size | Weight | Note | Price | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall |  Evolution Power Tools Evolution H320-E electric plate | 5 kN | Blank on Amazon | 26 kg | 9.2 | about £235.81 | View offer |
| Best value |  Neilsen Neilsen CT2146 petrol plate | 1030 kg | 510 × 350 mm | n/a | 1.0 | about £434.95 | View offer |
| Alternative |  Neilsen Neilsen CT1708 petrol plate | 20 kN | 550 × 440 mm | n/a | 1.0 | about £935 | View offer |
On this page
How deep, and which way the water runs
For light-duty paths and patios with foot traffic only, Pavingexpert quotes about 75 mm of compacted Type 1. Where a car might cross, the same source moves to about 100 mm, because a vehicle loads the sub-base in a way footsteps do not. Screwfix asks for at least 100 mm compacted Type 1 on a standard domestic patio, in layers around 50 mm. Hireload mentions about 100–150 mm compacted. Those figures are paving-guide targets, not a Building Regulations clause checked for your plot. Pavingexpert’s rule of thumb is around 30% compaction: 130 mm loose might become about 100 mm. Moisture changes it. The practical test is that the compacted sub-base does not move underfoot.
Fall belongs in the subgrade
Fall belongs in the excavation and the sub-base, not only in the sand bed later. Screwfix and the landscapers’ note both say to build it away from the house. Wickes cites about 16 mm per metre on a slab project. Other guides mention 1:60 or 1:80. Quote the guide you follow and keep the finished surface draining away from the dwelling. NHBC external-works guidance for new homes asks for paving at least 150 mm below the DPC, with falls away unless water is collected. That is a warranty standard for new build, not a DIY law. It shows why flat is the wrong aim next to a wall.
Layers, not one tip
Screwfix’s layers around 50 mm suit a domestic plate. Hireload’s layers around 100 mm assume hire-class force. Evolution limits the H320-E to 50 mm on a 5 kN plate. A single 100 mm loose tip is outside that line. A 30 cm depth claim is seller copy, not one shovelled layer. A driveway often needs heavier hire, about 12–25 kN when the ground is thicker. Plate choice is on what size wacker plate.
Soft ground and the underfoot test
Compact the subgrade before Type 1 goes down. Dig out soft spots and fill them with compacted hardcore. A geotextile separates soft ground from stone. It does not replace excavating mushy clay. Type 1 should not be bone dry. A little moisture helps particles knit. When you walk the layer it should feel firm, with no pumping under the heel. Persistent movement in wet clay is a dig-out, not one more pass. A 5 kN plate stays inside thin lifts. A deeper or vehicle-grade base needs hire, or a petrol row that states a force. Which rows state one is on best plate compactor UK.
Common questions
How deep should the sub-base be under a patio?
Foot-traffic patios often target about 75–100 mm compacted Type 1, depending on the guide. Pavingexpert quotes about 75 mm for light duty. Screwfix asks at least 100 mm compacted for a standard domestic patio. Hireload mentions about 100–150 mm. Vehicle crossings need the thicker end and thorough compaction. These are paving-guide targets, not a clause checked for your plot.
How thick a layer of Type 1 can I compact at once?
Follow your plate’s maker line first. Evolution quotes up to 50 mm per lift on the H320-E. Hire methods that mention 100 mm lifts assume a stronger plate. When guides conflict, choose the thinner lift your machine can finish, then add the next spread until you reach the compacted depth you measured.
Do I compact the soil before the Type 1?
Yes. Firm the subgrade, dig out soft spots and fill them with compacted hardcore, and build the fall before you spread aggregate. Brushing loose soil into a hollow does not replace that dig-out.
What fall do I need away from the house?
Build fall into the subgrade so water runs away from the building. Wickes cites about 16 mm per metre on a slab project. Other guides mention 1:60 or 1:80. Use the slope your project sheet or supplier specifies, and keep the finished paving draining outward.
Can the Evolution H320-E compact a patio base?
It can contribute to a patio base if you keep lifts within the maker’s 50 mm line and accept multiple passes to reach the compacted depth you measured. It is not the tool implied by a single thick Hireload-style lift in one go. A driveway build-up is a different job.
What if the ground is soft clay?
Dig out unsuitable material and replace it with compacted hardcore. Consider geotextile where the landscapers’ note recommends it. A membrane does not turn soft subgrade into a structural base, and a light plate will not fix clay that should have been removed.
How do I know it is compacted?
The surface should feel firm underfoot, without pumping, and the plate should stop noticeably settling the stone on later passes. If an area still moves, scrape back, adjust moisture, and compact again rather than piling more stone on top.
Related pages
Sources
Public UK sources used for this comparison. amazon.co.uk prices, stars and review counts were taken from the listings on 20 October 2026.
- HSE, Vibration risk assessment (retrieved 20 October 2026)
- HSE, Carbon monoxide (retrieved 20 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (retrieved 20 October 2026)
- Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, regulation 4 (retrieved 20 October 2026)
- Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 (retrieved 20 October 2026)
- Pavingexpert, Sub-bases (retrieved 20 October 2026)
- Evolution H320-E manufacturer page (retrieved 20 October 2026)
- Hireload, What size wacker plate do I need? (retrieved 20 October 2026)