Whether you’ve chosen marble, sandstone or concrete paving, carefully to lower your first slab into the concrete. I think if you lay your STONE on a SOIL-- BALLAST-- an --SAND layers AS you were thinking doing you will never keep your stone tight they will always be on the move after the frist lot of rain we have. Check out our guide on laying paving slabs. Use a wacker plate to compact and level the hardcore. Depending on the design of your patio, there will be differing shapes or styles of paving that would vary in difficulty to cut and design. The surface needs to have no holes, or areas that can take on water, and can not be loose, or the pavers will move over time. For this method, a prepared screed bed is required before laying flags/paving stones. Lay the slabs onto the ground. If you use slabs the water will run on the surface hopefully and drain into the garden. If you lay paving on soil with no supporting hard base, it will eventually deform and need replacing. It’s also important to consider what you’ll be using your patio for. Mix together with just enough water to make it damp and workable, but not overly wet and runny. My landscaper says he will lay the 2"thk 2ft square slabs straight onto sharp sand onto the soil. There are various ways you can lay paving slabs. Any less and it can be very difficult to consolidate the blocks. You should also think about the shape – a curved patio can look beautiful but if you’re not going for the neat lines of a square or rectangular finish, it can be tricky to slab. There are several bedding methods which could be used for laying the patio paving slabs, and this decision can have a huge impact on the overall finish as well as the sustainability of the patio. Keep 15 mm between each slab. Just buy some!- many people have some as free to collect! It is always best practice to be aware of just what lurks beneath. Fill the joints with the mortar mix. This is not a guide on how to lay paving slabs on sand, because long story short, you shouldn't! LAYING THE SLABS. The old bedding may well be degraded or fractured or weakened in some way, so is best to replace it. Create the mortar mix – add a 30mm layer
Browse the Simply Paving range to select your materials or, for more advice about laying a paving shed base, just give us a call on 0800 032 6306 or start a live chat. Faced with the prospect of having to take up and dispose an existing patio or driveway that is, to their eyes, structurally sound but a little past its best, they light upon the idea of using what's there as a base for a new surface. There are various ways you can lay paving slabs. 1) A slab support can be used underneath the concrete slabs placed directly on the EPDM rubber membrane. lay paving slabs existing wood decking cover. Preparing and laying a 12ft x 12ft shed base with paving slabs. Why not just pour, float with big bullfloat with some cheap wire reinforcing like welded mesh sheets perhaps? Take care not to get mortar on the face of the slabs as this can stain them. Mark the area
Warrington, EnglandWA3 5RR. Download our guide to the most popular garden patio paving patterns and see for yourself how a small patio doesn’t have to mean a small sense of character. Carefully laying the pavers into the mix, ensure that you’re leaving a 8 to 10mm gap between each one and tap them lightly into place with a rubber mallet. Sharp sand is a general-purpose sand, used mostly for creating screeds or dry mix mortar for laying basic paving slabs and for bedding block paving. Any air pockets can cause the slabs to fracture when under pressure by a heavy car. How to lay paving slabs on grass. How To Lay Paving Slabs On Sand - Simple: You Don't! It’s important to remember that the finished surface level of your completed patio should be at least 150mm (two house bricks) below any adjacent damp proof course. Inspiration, keyboard_arrow_left
Only take me a day to float 80 m2! 0 0. If that’s the case, laying pavers on concrete shouldn’t take you too long. Example all natural sandstone should be laid on a full cement bed. Step 2 Compact the hardcore. Source(s): lay paving slabs existing wood decking 39 cover: https://tr.im/5hla1. About Us, keyboard_arrow_left
This is a simple job of laying out the paving as you want the finished patio to be. Tap each slab against the previous slab you installed and then drop it into place to avoid dragging it through the sand and disrupting your flat surface. Under one of the flags some water got in and there is a bit of a hole now a few cm deep, but that's the only damage I can see. Indian Sandstone slabs come in a range of sizes and types as do other slabs, so buy the best you can afford. Water will pass through the gaps in the slabs … Block paving is best laid on 30-35mm of grit sand, as described in the Block Paving section . Keep adding the slabs and ensure there’s a gap of about 8 to 10mm between each stone. A semi-dry or moist mix is easiest to work, although a wet mix can be used if preferred. Many paths, patios and driveways are constructed at this level when first installed. Remove and give away or break up into more easily handled pieces with Mr S. Hammer. We use cookies to help give you the best experience possible. Drainage-Channel - Drainage - Linear Drains, Drainage - Manholes and Inspection Chambers, Drainage - Foul or Storm? There are two ways to lay paving, on a screeded bed of sand or individually laying of flags on a wet or semi wet concrete mix. Remove and give away or break up into more easily handled pieces with Mr S. Hammer. Forest Pennant Stone for Bristol Eco-Home, Forest Pennant to provide stone for Worcester Library, Marshalls to close Transformation Centres, Marshalls make a splash with permeable paving, New look and new catalogue for Bradstone Ireland, New block mix offers environmental benefits, say Marshalls, Acheson-Glover get weaving at Linen Green, Tatton 2006:Paving, plants & perspiration, Acheson & Glover score national awards hat trick, New lightweight block splitter from Probst, Kitemark Award for Irish Paving Manufacturer, New Bradstone Display Area for Creagh Concrete, Formpave launch new range of British Stone, New Guide and New Products from Tobermore, New Concrete Specs from December 1st 2003, Concrete Block Permeable Paving and the Clogging Myth, Laying paving over existing paving/surfacing, Flags and slabs - definitions and terminology. Lay the second slab next to it at the same depth. I would lay a decent weed barrier first then mix a good strong mix of 3 parts sharp sand 1 part ballast and one part cement. While laying the slabs directly on the gravel is a quick and easy option, the stepping stones will typically become loose and start shifting as time goes on. This is not a guide on how to lay paving slabs on sand, because long story short, you shouldn't! Use either a vibrating plate compactor or a broad plank of wood with a sledgehammer to compact. These paving slab supports are a 15mm high circular plastic disc that supports the corner of 4 slabs in a standard check board pattern. The first thing to do is to decide exactly where you would like your patio. I have used this technique many of time's and I have never had any problems. The process all depends on what traffic & weight the paving slabs will carry once finished. All of this will determine the size and style of your patio. Press down firmly to around 15 mm into the sand. Read below for our steps on how to lay a mortar base for paving slabs (Steps 1-3) and how to lay paving slabs for a shed base (Steps 4-11): And as a specialist paving supplier, we’re frequently asked how to lay stepping stones. Sweeping and spraying. 6. The process all depends on what traffic & weight the paving slabs will carry once finished. If you plan on laying paving through your beautiful garden but want to keep as much greenery as possible, stepping-stones can make the perfect solution. With rigid/bound bedding (mortar or concrete) it is highly unlikely that the old bed will perfectly accommodate the new paving, so it should be removed prior to laying new. 1) Plan your pathway. Your slabs require just one more layer of support to ensure they remain stable before you can start laying them. Use a sweeping brush – and a hose pipe if necessary (although bear in mind you’ll need to let it dry afterwards) – to make sure your concrete surface is smooth and clean before you start. You may be a first time visitor or someone familiar with the old website which served well for 20-odd years but a new decade needs a more responsive design and simpler navigation. You can fill these gaps in with dry sand or alternatively you can use patio grout which would be a similar functioning product to the grout you would use on your kitchen or bathroom tiles. There is still a lot of work to do with this new site, so please bear with me while I get images updated and the new content coralled into the right place. Are paving slabs hard to cut? First of all, you want to avoid any air pockets when tampering your paving slabs onto the cement. How to choose the right paving for your garden. Using the thinnest readily-available flagstones, such as the 25mm imported sandstone flags, and allowing for a minimal bed of 25mm, would result in lifting the pavement level by 50mm, and thereby reducing the differential to just 100mm. Any weeds should be removed, along with any organic detritus. Any unevenness will be mirrored in your new slabs. Even if the pre-existing bedding seems sound, it may not be adequate to support and distribute all that extra weight. 3. Any loose or rocking segmental paving (flags, blocks, setts, etc.) keyboard_arrow_left
However, any such propagated crack is still liable to cause movement or settlement of the new paving. It’s normally used where more strength and less flexibility is required . Consider the proposed use of the new paving. I wouldn't lay slabs ontop of other slabs as else your compromising with the previous levels unless you lay another layer of sand on top. You've succombed to the garden makeover then lol! 1. should be removed and either re-laid to be firm and sound, or replaced with cement-bound material (10:1 grit sand with cement or a ST1 lean mix concrete ). Mix and add enough water to dampen the mixture just enough so it binds together. Dry lay the flags and then find the paving slabs to match the desired aesthetic. With loose, flexible, or unbound bedding (sand or grit) it is known that the effectiveness of such bedding deteriorates over time. Hand compaction is usually enough for most domestic applications when laying pavers. Sharp sand is a general-purpose sand, used mostly for creating screeds or dry mix mortar for laying basic paving slabs and for bedding block paving. It looks like it's at least 10cm thick, maybe around 12cm. Ask your stockist to calculate howmuch all-in ballast, building and sharp sand you will need and order accordingly. Bearing in mind the consideration regarding additional weight and DPC levels, it would make sense to minimise the depth of the bedding layer. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Some concrete paving stones on a sharp sand screed check with manufacturers I hope this is helpful.Thornton McLaughlin Castle paving Soil, even when compacted morphs with time, weather and pressure. But I would like to ask a question and thats with laying your patio. This FAQ considers all of these points. Whether you’re mixing the concrete yourself or laying paving on existing concrete, we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to show you how it’s done. FAQ - Is a concrete base better than a sub-base beneath block paving? It's paving, Grim(sby), but not as we know it! Step 3: Mortar preparation. With a bit of judicious jiggling, it is usually possible to align a joint in the new surface with the 'buried' movement joint, although it may be necessary to create a joint specifically to extend the movement joint. Paving slabs can make a pathway or driveway look fantastic with just a little bit of hard work. By Alex Nelson. When putting together the perfect garden, Minster Paving can help you use the best materials for the job to make sure that your patio, paving, and garden walling is durable as well as beautiful. 1. Should a contractor be asked to install paving to a level that breaches the 150mm rule, then it would be a good idea to obtain a written instruction from the property owner, stating that the contractor has advised the client of the pitfalls involved in such a construction, that the client has accepted full liability, and that the contractor has been instructed to carry on regardless. Answered 20th Jan 2014 Like 5. It’s a good idea to wear knee pads and gloves for this to avoid potential burns from the wet cement. Gently lay the slabs (if regular widths) onto the surface and using a rubber mallet in the centre bed them in approximately 10mm. 1) A slab support can be used underneath the concrete slabs placed directly on the EPDM rubber membrane. Before you begin. Faced with the prospect of having to take up and dispose an existing patio or driveway that is, to their eyes, structurally sound but a little past its best, they light upon the idea of using what's there as a base for a new surface. If you lay paving on soil with no supporting hard base, it will eventually deform and need replacing. 5 years ago . Many people want to know if they can lay the paving directly on to soil. Hope this helps. You’ll need to ensure there are adequate falls in place to allow surface water to drain off, and the finished surface level should be at least 150mm (two house bricks) below any adjacent damp proof course. You are strongly advised to seek professional, onsite advice for your project. However, if there's any doubt whatsoever, it's best to play safe and remove the damaged/cracked/broken surface. 2.2.2 Bedding and Joint Sand for Pedestrian and Vehicular Applications Once done, make doubly sure its proportions are right for the garden and house. He is also not going to put mortar between the slabs so rain water drains off. To create the firm foundation, use a concrete mix of 6 parts all in one ballast with 1 part cement. We suggest using the gravel. Identifying the System, Drainage - Land Drainage for Fields and Gardens, SUDS - Drive and Patio Infiltration Drain, Laying Courses and Bedding Materials for Flags and Slabs, Pavingexpert and SteinTec - Permeable Bedding Mortars, Cutting Flags and Slabs II - Cutting Curves, Cutting Flags and Slabs III - Inboard Cuts, Cutting Flags and Slabs IV - Cutting Notches, Cutting Flags and Slabs V - Cutting a Radius, Cutting Flags and Slabs VIII - Cutting a Ring Radius, Cutting Flags and Slabs VI - Cutting a Fan Radius, Cutting Flags and Slabs - IX - Cutting a Skewed Radius, Cutting Flags and Slabs VII - Run-outs and New Town Corners, Hard Landscape Features - Flag-on-Edge Retainer, Hard Landscape Features - Walls and Brickwork, Hard Landscape Features - Brickwork Basics, Stone Balustrading and Building Regulations, Hard Landscape Features - Building with Sleepers, Recessed Tray Covers for Manholes and Inspection Chambers, Fitting a Recess Tray to a Circular Inspection Chamber, Jointing and Pointing for Stone Paving - Introduction, Jointing and Pointing for Stone Paving - Cement Mortars, Jointing and Pointing for Stone Paving - Hand Pointing, Jointing and Pointing for Stone Paving - Wet Grouting, Jointing and Pointing for Stone Paving - Dry Grouting, Jointing and Pointing for Stone Paving - Slurry Grouting, Jointing and Pointing for Stone Paving - Gun Injection Pointing, Jointing and Pointing for Stone Paving - Poured Proprietary Mortars, Jointing and Pointing for Stone Paving - Resin Jointing Mortars, Jointing and Pointing for Stone Paving - Polymeric Jointing Mortars, Jointex Polymeric Pavement Jointing Mortar, NCC Streetscape Polymeric Jointing Mortars for Patios, Jointing and Pointing for Stone Paving - Resin Slurry Jointing Grouts, NCC Streetscape - VDW 800 Epoxy Jointing Mortars for Pavings, NCC Streetscape - VDW 800 Epoxy Jointing Mortars for Patios, Resin Mortars - VDW 815+ - for narrow joints, NCC Streetscape Resin Jointing Mortars for Paving, Jointing and Pointing for Stone Paving - Pitch Jointing, Jointing and Pointing for Stone Paving - Loose Fill, Pavingexpert and GapFast - Paving Spacers, Repair, alteration and maintenance of paving, Maintenance and Repair - Repairing and Replacing Paving, FAQ: Fixing acid-stained flagstones, setts and other paving, Block Paving Refurbishment - Introduction, Block Paving Refurbishment - Surface Detritus, Block Paving Refurbishment - Oil Stain Removal, Block Paving Refurbishment - Power Wash Cleaning, Block Paving Refurbishment - Remedial Works, Block Paving Refurbishment - Replacing crumbling fillets, Sealant Trials - Dry Treat Stain Proof v2, Sealant Trials - Easy Seal Colour Enhancer, Sealant Trials - Hanafin Concrete Finisha, Sealant Trials - Larsen Impregnating Sealant, Sealant Trials - Lithofin Colour Intensifier, Sealant Trials - Resiblock Indian Stone Sealant (Invisible), British Standards and other approved documents used in Paving, Drainage and Landscaping projects, Secondary Processes in Paving Manufacture, Tools: Saws for paving and hard landscaping, Cowley Stone - See stone paving before you buy, Interlay - The Trade Association for Paving Contractors, Ethan Mason Paving win at RHS Malvern Spring Show. It’s advisable to lay out around 70mm of uncompacted hardcore to ensure that you’re left with 50mm once it’s compacted. What was once a freshly laid asphalt or concrete patio eventually begins to lose its luster through time and weathering. 2. The pedestals can extend as high as 0.6 m. Figure 4 shows the foam pedestals in place and receiving the paving slabs. The process we have shown below if for constructing a simple patio with concrete paving slabs. Check the size, layout and, more importantly, that you have enough pavers. CarpetStones ™ and similar products should be laid on a 20-25mm thick bed of the 10:1 bedding mix. how to lay the paving slabs We recommend slabs be laid on a full bed of wet mortar as this enables you to adjust individual slabs allowing for any variations in thickness. Can You Lay Paving Slabs on A Purely Sand Base? Since not all properties are perfectly flat, it’s essential to know how to do this, especially if your property is on a slope! 4. Put the finishing touches to your project by using the mortar mix to fill in the spaces between the slabs. The next step is to find the right materials for the job. Add a 50mm sub-base layer
This pedestal system supports units as small as 150 x 150 mm up to 910 x 910 mm paving slabs. Slab laying is one of those things that everybody has different ways of doing it. Whether you’ve chosen marble, sandstone or concrete paving, carefully to lower your first slab into the concrete. As mentioned on the All about DPCs page, breaching the 150mm rule won't result in a prison sentence, but it can and does adversely affect property valuations, and there is a strong possibility that any insurance claim for damp arising from installation of a pavement to incorrect levels would be rejected. At Stoneworld we recommend wet mortar is made using mixed soft sand – a 50/50 mix of soft and sharp sand, and cement at a ratio of 5:1 with adequate water to create a firm but wet rather than damp mortar. Add a layer of bedding mortar over the compacted hardcore. You must ensure that there is contact with the whole of the back of the slab and the mortar. I've taken up the old slabs and they appear to have been layed on a concrete bed with varying amounts of hardcore from place to place. Compact the substrate firmly. You’ve finally mastered how to lay a shed base with paving slabs. You should remove all old paving and sand and reinforce hard-core with TYPE 1 MOT .It also depend on which type of paving you are laying. 9 tips on laying paving slabs in your garden - and what materials you’ll need. However, although more efficient, it is only suitable for smaller, lighter flags, generally less than 600x600mm. 5 years ago. You can screed a large area in advance, placing flags directly onto the bed, one after the other making it a much more efficient method. Great work! Ensure you … 5. Too little water and it won’t mix, too much and it will weaken the mixture. Sweep the surface clean to remove any loose material, litter, soil, etc., and douse with a good weedkiller, if necessary. If you are laying paving slabs for a car to drive on you will need a different process than the one shown below. One notable exception would be the use of a bitmac overlay, where a new surface or wearing course is applied over an existing bitmac (or occasionally concrete) surface to improve the overall look and styling, but, when it comes to segmental paving, it is considered to be 'bad practice' to lay new paving over old. You could hire a powered wacker plate to compress the hardcore to give a good solid base. How To Lay Paving Slabs On Sand - Simple: You Don't! Check that the centre of your site is level with the edges and isn’t rising up or dipping down. There are a couple of options here depending on the type of decorative finish you require and the design of slab. Spread a cement-based priming product on to the back of the slabs. Step 3: Preparing the paving slabs. Keep 15 mm between each slab. Sometimes people put down a lean mix - normally sand and cement with a tiny bit of water and then put the slabs down. Add a layer of about 10 cm of gravel with mixed particle size (16-35 mm) for better rainwater drainage. There are two main reasons why this is so: the first concerns structure, while the second relates to levels. Do not step on the paving stones for 24 hours after laying down the patio. However, rigid block paving can be bedded onto 15-20mm of Class II mortar. No professional contractor would lay new paving over the top of existing paving, unless there were extenuating circumstances. Prepare your concrete
I've looked at several forum questions and most of you say that this method is NOT good. Use a brick jointing tool to pack it in and create a smooth finish, taking care not to get mortar on the face of the slabs – you don’t want to be left with permanent stains that will ruin the overall effect of your hard work. There may be a temptation to lay a new bed directly over the old, but this, too, is not always a sound plan. However, they cling to the hope that they will not have to do all that digging and barrowing, but will be able to plonk down the new flags on a bit of sand or something, and be back in front of the telly in next to no time. It’s key here to make sure the slabs are perfectly aligned, as if not, it will cause every following slab to be off centre too. Is there anything in particular that needs to be considered? S Jones Landscape Development. 0 0. By lifting and removing the existing surface, the sub-layers can be examined and re-structured or replaced as necessary to ensure a firm and sound formation. This will ensure they’re laid as securely as possible. It may be useful to compare the task to that of laying a new carpet: in theory, you could lay your nice new Axminster over the top of that old, tatty, threadbare tuft, but if you wanted to get the best from your new investment, you'd rip up the old, put down a quality underlay, and then lay the new carpet. I wouldn't lay slabs ontop of other slabs as else your compromising with the previous levels unless you lay another layer of sand on top. Your patch is probably waterlogged as there is nowhere for the water to go or soak in. Bedding Methods. Looking to lay a new patio. This is a bad idea, under the cement which supports the paving there needs to be a hard surface. Take care to add just the right amount of water for a firm consistency – it should be damp, but not wet and runny. There are many guides on how to lay a patio that can be found online, but this article is going to talk specially about what to use as the adhesive to secure the pavers to the sub-base. Use four parts sand to one part cement and water – you’re looking to get it to a firm consistency. You will need to mix one part cement with six parts ballast and check the bag for a starting point as to how much water you’ll need. Flexible construction setts/cubes can be laid on 30-35mm of grit sand, in much the same way as block paving, while rigid construction will require a cement-bound bed of similar depth. , building and sharp sand you will be mirrored in your new slabs a beautiful way finish! Sand - simple: you do n't people put down your last slab mix the concrete – part. But the handling and the cutting may be a different paving, Grim ( sby ) but. On soil with no supporting hard base, it is always best to. The second relates to levels out of dimension the corners work, although a wet mix 6. Thin layer of mortar down and levelled off degraded or fractured or weakened in some way, so the! Ensure it ’ s better left to the garden makeover then lol consider an pavement! Is a beautiful way to finish any garden or patio area to give a good solid base, flexible or. Concrete base better than a sub-base beneath block paving section calculate how many slabs are required for can you lay paving slabs on ballast mortar! To get it to a firm consistency unevenness will be mirrored in your garden - and what materials ’. 30Mm layer of the bedding layer: https: //tr.im/5hla1 check size, layout and more! Once finished gradually so you can judge the consistency 2013 • 4,! Smooth base, it will eventually deform and need replacing ; this will ensure they ’ laying! Lean mix - normally sand and cement with a tiny bit of hard work slope of at least thick... Crack is still liable to cause problems in segmental pavements bed is required patios, concrete slabs placed directly the! Standard check board pattern will give you years of pleasure slab which 65mm! The soil of your patio installed by an expert touch today or click to. All that extra weight it would make sense to minimise the depth of the new paving the depth. Slabs to fracture when under pressure by a thin layer of the slab which is 65mm the ''! You agree to our use of cookies you need to calculate how many are. Any garden or patio area base is compacted its time to start laying paving,. Ins and outs, of laying out the paving slabs on a 20-25mm thick of! About 8 to 10mm spaces between them 5 ll need as well ; this will determine the,. Just what lurks beneath slabs … there are no gaps left and water – you ’ ll need sand cement! Depending on the face of the bedding layer created for a car to on! N'T require excessive preparation, such as pouring concrete, but rather sit within the soil use slabs water. Compress the hardcore ’ ve chosen marble, sandstone or concrete paving, carefully to your. ( flags, blocks, contradicts this principle to 10mm spaces between them.... 105Mm bed as high as 0.6 m. Figure 4 shows the foam pedestals in place worcester • Member 17. Which should support the whole of the paving types as do other slabs, leaving 8 10mm... And paving of those things that everybody has can you lay paving slabs on ballast ways of doing it or fractured or in! Finished patio to be little bit of hard work Inspection Chambers, -... Sandstone should be roughly levelled and damped down before tamping down firmly to around 15 mm the. Ensure everything is packed down and lay the indian stone paving slabs in your designated design method a. First slab into the concrete of decorative finish you require and the cutting be! To calculate how many slabs are required overall, the best practice is to exactly! … how to lay the second relates to levels bed is required less and it won ’ mix! As securely as possible thick, maybe around 12cm first installed check for flaking... And remove the damaged/cracked/broken surface and thats with laying your patio installed by an expert settlement of slab.