When laying indian sandstone with irregular thickness, is it a case of trial/error getting the sand cement base thickness correct or is there any tricks that may help me?I will be putting a ballast sub base first then a dry sand/cement base.
irregular thickness slabs
- Thread starter whyme!
- Start date
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Hi there,
We put a stone patio down not so long ago - similar to Indian Sandstone in that varying thicknesses accross the stones (some nearly double that of others!). Easiest way we found was to put it down with a wet mix, that way you can add more far easier.
Probably not what you were wanting to here, but with me and my dad doing it, we had the whole job done in two weekends. First was the sub-base (dolomite - took a Saturday to lay and whack down) and the second weekend layed the whole lot - 33sq mtrs worth.
We put a stone patio down not so long ago - similar to Indian Sandstone in that varying thicknesses accross the stones (some nearly double that of others!). Easiest way we found was to put it down with a wet mix, that way you can add more far easier.
Probably not what you were wanting to here, but with me and my dad doing it, we had the whole job done in two weekends. First was the sub-base (dolomite - took a Saturday to lay and whack down) and the second weekend layed the whole lot - 33sq mtrs worth.
i get conflicting views on wet mix, some say they come loose after several years and others say you get hollows under, but yes i must admit that does seem the easiest way.
was also reading this
http://www.pavingexpert.com/layflag1.htm
under spot bedding.
Interesting to hear some views on both methods
was also reading this
http://www.pavingexpert.com/layflag1.htm
under spot bedding.
Interesting to hear some views on both methods
I would say as long as you have enough sticky under it should be OK. Main area that will come loose would be the edges - you need to either point a sloped finish or put some edging blocks in (dad has similar sandstone to yours, been in 10years or so and no problem, but he also bought some cheap 600*300 stones and put them in vertically along the edge - 300 side down - to stop them coming loose. Worked so far!)
Mine has only been down about a month or so, so can't comment! I'm putting brick-built raised beds at the edge of the patio though, so hopefully this should help the edges in future years.
Cheers
Dave
Mine has only been down about a month or so, so can't comment! I'm putting brick-built raised beds at the edge of the patio though, so hopefully this should help the edges in future years.
Cheers
Dave
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I have layed a lot of stone patios, especially yorkstone. These can vary in width from 1in to 6ins and the easiest way is definately on dabs.
The dabs have to be big enough that the slab has to be bashed down into place, this helps to fill the underside of the slab. What really holds the slabs in place is the filling of the joints, none of this brushing in b011acks, it needs to be ram packed. If the jointing is solid the slabs won't move.
As it's a nice day I may even go out the back and take some photos.
The dabs have to be big enough that the slab has to be bashed down into place, this helps to fill the underside of the slab. What really holds the slabs in place is the filling of the joints, none of this brushing in b011acks, it needs to be ram packed. If the jointing is solid the slabs won't move.
As it's a nice day I may even go out the back and take some photos.
so if wet bed mix, what is the mix ratio and do you use building sand or sharp?
If using the 5 spot, do the corners of each dab need to be wide enough for next slab,, or are each slab on its on dollop so to speak?
If using the 5 spot, do the corners of each dab need to be wide enough for next slab,, or are each slab on its on dollop so to speak?
If the slabs are a different thickness, use dabs. Use soft sand on the laying mix and sharp for the jointing. Make sure there is enough mix under the slab so that when you bang it down the dabs spread into each other. When the slab is in place make sure all the edges are filled. Force muck under if you need to, this also makes it easier for filling the joints.
Thermo
How long is this 'time', I can't say I've had any problems with using dabs.
Thermo
How long is this 'time', I can't say I've had any problems with using dabs.
Indian stone is pretty uniform in thickness, just sort out your pattern and lay them as they come. As the stone is not all that thick you can keep the mortar bedding quite thin. I've found that joints of about 1/2in to 3/4in seem to suit Indian slab sizes, less cutting.
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