Flag laying help - Vibrating ground ???

[Dianem]

hi could anyone help with a bit of advice, i am getting my garden flaged and was wondering if the ground has to be vibrated or packed down to be level first, as i am a woman and dont know how it has to be done, the contractor sent a man and first he put the flags upside down with the ridge on top and had to turn them over but he is putting the flags on the sand which has not been vibrated then pushes more sand under to level it surely the sand will eventualy go flat and flags will sink. but maybe this is the way its done now could anyone tell me if this is the right way. many thanks Diane . ??? ???

[Rich H]

For a garden patio, there need not necessarily be a sub-base (foundation) at all, provided that it is firm already. If the soil is soft, loamy, wet, or clay, etc., it will need a suitable sub-base, e.g. DTp Type 1 aggregate, commonly known as scalpings which will need to be well compacted with a vibrating plate compactor or Wacker before the bedding of the slabs is started.

Are you sure the slabs are the wrong way up? I commonly get asked this with Indian Sandstone where the larger, straighter area is the top, and the bevelled edges are the bottom. Many people assume it's the other way around, but it isn't.

Next, the slabs should not really be laid on just sand. Even council slabs are laid on a lean mix (10:1 or so with cement) and are laid on a screed bed. If the slabs are being individually laid, then they need to be on a stronger mix with water added to allow the cement to set. Pushing sand under the slabs is definitely a no-no. If the slab is too low then it needs to be lifted, the bed done again, and then re-laid.

Sorry to say but it sounds like the firm you have on board, or at least the guy they've put on site, is not doing a proper job.

[seanandruby]

dont pay him till he, or rather someone competant, takes them
up and does it right. they will crack.

[Suggers]

Diane - just go to the site map above - read relevant section - then have a word in your bloke's ear.

[lutonlagerlout]

the tune to the god the bad and the ugly is playing as i read your post diane
sounds like a cowboy to me
LLL

[matt h]

a word to the wise..agree will crack if not bedded right. READ MAIN SITE ON FLAG LAYING ALL IS EXPLAINED IN GREAT DETAIL.Advise your fitter to do the same!:)