Paving in spain

[macgd016]

Hi, What a great site!

I have spent an hour or so reading through the site and I am really pleased that I did as it has lead me to change the way I intend going about a forthcoming project. However, before going ahead I would like to check that I haven’t got something horribly wrong before I start!

The area to be paved is approx 40m2 and it is a sun terrace. It consists of an oblong 10m X 3m with an additional triangle at one end. The whole area is enclosed by existing kerb stones and is lower than the surrounding area. The base consists of consolidated crushed rock and the site naturally slops away from the house. The location of the site is in southern Spain so it gets a lot of direct sun and when it rains it rains! The local paving is terracotta tiles 400x400, about 2cm thick with deep ribs underneath.

Having taken on board what I have read here I intend laying the pavers on a 3cm (is this deep enough?) 10:1 dry mix bedding layer and then grouting with a dry 4:1 mix. I assume that I need to bed the pavers in so that the whole paver is supported rather than just the ribs. If the above is correct is there anything else that I need to take into account? Two points that come to mind are: is a dry base correct taking into account the strength of the pavers and do I need to allow for expansion and contraction and if so how?.

[Tony McC]

All sounds OK to me. The only item that I would question is the dry grout, which never, ever works unless the flags are buttered with mortar when laid and then dry-grouted almost immediately.

I'm not sure about the drainage as you state that this is, in effect, a sunken patio surrounded by kerbs. Where will the surface water go?

[macgd016]

Very good point about the water, I forgot to mention that the area naturally slopes to one corner and I intend putting in a waste pipe to take the water away.

Regarding what I have refered to as Grout, the pavers will be set about 2cm apart to match the existing paving, if you do not recommend a dry mix to fill these gaps are you saying that I will have to use a wet mix? (still 4:1?) I had gone for the dry as I thought it might be easier to to apply without getting all over the pavers.

[macgd016]

Ok Ok I know I should have read the main site for grouting info, just have and answered my own question..........Thanks

[Tony McC]

And??? What have you decided to do?

[macgd016]

Much as I would prefer to use a dry mix and pack it down hard for the reasons given above, I think I must go with your advice and experence and use a 'moist' 4:1 mix and hope not to get too much of it on the slabs! I hadn't seen your suggestion of using two trowels to get the mix in before so that should help keep the mess down and speed up the job.