How to install a Flagstone Patio
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How to install a Flagstone Pathway in Sand:
Step 1: Ground Preparation
Mark
out the area where the patio will be installed. Excavate the excess
rock in the debris from this area to a minimum depth of 3.5" from where
you want the top of the flagstone to land. An easy way to measure this
is with the wide side of a standard 2X4 piece of wood, which is 3.5"
wide. (why?)
On this step it is better to do too much. The deeper you go the better
drainage you will have for that 4 hours a year that it is raining in
Las Vegas.
Once the area is excavated go over it once with a steel rake to remove any large pieces of rock.
Step 2: Spreading the Decomposed Granite (also called Fines)
Spread
the Decomposed Granite in the excavated area, leaving it 1.5" short of your final
elevation to account for the flagstone. Get this area as level as
possible without taking forever doing it. You want to have close to
the right amount of material, but each piece of flagstone is slightly
different thickness, so the level of the Decomposed Granite will need
to be adjusted under each stone to ensure the patio is level. One easy
trick to getting the Decomposed Granite flattened out is to go over it
with a push broom.
Step 3: Start Laying Flagstone!
Start
on the side of the patio or walkway where the level of the stone is
most important. For example, if you have a walkway that goes to the
gate of the backyard, you want to start here to make sure the top level
of the flagstone is under the gate. If you are doing a walkway where
the elevation changes, lay a piece of flagstone at either end at the
level you want and run a string between the two. The bottom of the
string represents the level of the stones.
If the level of the
patio is not going to change, use a standard level to make sure each
piece laid is level and level with the one next to it. If your patio
is butting right up to your house it is a good idea to build the patio
with a slight pitch away from the house to divert the water from the
house. Make sure each piece is level to avoid having high corners or
any toe-catching edges sticking up.
Step 3.5: Shaping the Flagstone
So
you have a square shape and you need a triangle. Flagstone can easily
be broken to fit where you need it without any special tools. A hammer
is not a special tool. Simply tap the flagstone lightly along the line
where you want it to break. Then tap a little harder along the same
line, then harder until the flagstone breaks. Nine times out of 10 it
will break along this line. You can also score the stone how you want
it to break before attempting to break it. Or you can rent a cut-off
saw for true precision.
SideStep 3: Tips to laying Flagstone
Though
the flagstones are irregular there are many different way of laying
them. You can use all large pieces and fill the gaps with all medium
sized pieces, or you can break the large ones to have a pieces that are
close to the same size. Whatever way you choose to lay the flagstone,
make sure to be consistant with the gaps between them, and not to use
too small of pieces in the gaps or near the edges.
One great tip
is to break the large pieces at least once, and install them the same
way they broke apart. This will leave an irregular break in the
flagstone that fits very snugly together. This works especially well
when doing walkways that are as wide as 1 piece of flagstone.
Step 4: Decomposed Granite Grout
Once
the pieces are all placed where you want them, add additional Decomposed Granite and
sweep it into the gaps of the stone. Once the gaps are filled with Decomposed Granite
and the majority of the granite is swept from the surface of the
flagstone, soak the area thoroughly with water. Soak it really good,
but not enough to wash any of the material away. Once the water evaporates from the Decomposed Granite it will become slightly hard
with a crust on the top layer that will hold the flagstone together,
yet still allow for drainage. After the Decomposed Granite is dried you can sweep the
excess dust from the flagstone pieces and enjoy your beautifully
crafted patio.
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