Flagstone patio can add a new look to your outdoor. It is easy, does not need too much of skill and can be installed on the coming weekend. Here, are some tips to help you lay your flagstone. Laying a Flagstone is akin to solving jigsaw puzzles of child hood. There is remarkably little labor associated in getting them installed though they are heavy. Very little investment is also needed. Just get the flagstone patios and the necessary tools to begin. A spade, shovel, carpenters level, a flat plank, measuring tape, broom, sand is all that is necessary.
Measure the area that you have to get tiled and with the help of strings get it marked. It is essential that you get the measurements done accurately. One easy way to be certain of the measurements is to measure the diagonals, and they should be equal.
After this dig a four inch narrow lane all along the sides with a spade. With a shovel, remove all the soil and make it four inches deep. This is the minimum that is to be removed and digging in deeper can make it more durable. Also, it is more advisable to have tiles more than 2 inches thick though they might be heavier.
Next is to check the level that you have dug. Run a plank measuring one side of the area that has been excavated all along and with a carpenter’s level check for a reading. Wherever it is necessary, remove the soil with a shovel.
Your next step will be to moisten the area and tamp it. Any loose soil will thus be pressed. Tamp each stone down and check for levelness. Do remember to put the landscape fabric for otherwise weeds may grow in between the tiles.
Your next step is to fill the area with either mortar or sand. Filling with sand is called dry construction. It is easier for as compared to laying in mortar or cement here is no limitation of time. All you have to do is to put 2 inches of sand in the area. But it may need maintenance often, for they are only loosely fitted with one another. Using cement or mortar makes it more lasting. Only you will have to get the entire flagstone fitted before the mortar hardens.
Be particular about levelling the sand too. Slide a plank all along the sand. Next put the Flagstone as if fitting pieces in the puzzle. Keep the space in between two patios as little as possible so that they should fit in tightly. Begin from the corner and proceed to cover all over.
Also, check the level while laying the patios. If you find that one patio is not in level, remove some sand beneath it. Similarly, you can also add additional sand under. Tap all the patios with a rubber mallet to fix them firmly. Ill fitted patios can call accidents, for somebody may trip over it. Avoid using the area for the first twenty four hours.
After finishing laying them out, put some polymeric sand on the top and with a broom have all the gaps filled. Wait for some time so that the sand may set. You can also use decomposed granite for sealing the gaps. Keep in mind that while placing the patios close to the house you need to concentrate on the drainage. A little slant can help to drain excess water away. Putting some crushed stones under the sand or mortar layer can improve in drainage.Having an additionally helping hand can not only share the work load but also help in the levelling.
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