York sandstone flags

[Ronski]

Hi, first time posting on this great site, just after some advice at the moment please.

I've just bought some grey York Limestone riven flags from Ebay, although the seller does have a separate website as well.

These are going to be used for a patio area of about 10m2, foot traffic only.

They range from 12mm (I've installed thicker tiles!) to around 24mm, but the majority I suppose average around 22mm, they were advertised as calibrated but are clearly not.

If laid on a well compacted 75mm+ type 1 base with a good sharp sand/cement mix will these be OK or should I be returning them?

Am I likely to break them when installing? I realise that's probably very dependant on skill level, so difficult to answer.

I probably have enough spares not to use the thinnest ones.

[dig dug dan]

buy from a reputable local source, not online. these things sound a can of worms

[Ronski]

I've purchased many things online over the years, and had very few problems, and I accept there is a risk

Looking at Pavestone Sandstone which sponsors this forum, so one presumes is a reputable supplier, they show there Sandstone flags as being 17 to 22mm thickness

[PavingSuperstore]

We're an online seller, however all our goods are CE marked and come from reputable brands. Over 50% of the paving sold in the UK is not CE marked which means it is not tested against porosity, frost resistance etc. Also, the British / European standards ensure CE marked paving conforms to certain dimensional tolerances. Some non CE marked products may be OK, but you're taking a gamble as you may find it is more prone to algae, crumbles / cracks in frost etc.

Also, if you're interested in the ethical side of things (most people aren't when it means they pay a little extra for their goods), your stone may well have been quarried and prepared by children or people who are not paid fairly without proper sanitary arrangements, safety equipment etc.

If you are having to discard some as they are too thin to use, then your eBay price per m2 is not so great after all - and you have allowed them to sell you a product that doesn't conform to the description. Your choice, but I would suggest you would be a mug to continue!

[Ronski]

I'm going to arrange for them to go back, thanks to all those that replied. The one thing that concerns me most is frost damage, I don't want to get to spring next year and find that the frost/snow has damaged them.

[Ronski]

They gone back, and a new lot has arrived, fresh from eBay :;):

30m2 of Marshalls/Stone Market porcelain 600 x 300 x 20 tiles

https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/marshalls_factory_outlet