Laying a patio

[marsaday]

Hello, my first post and i have been reading some info on the site, but i have a question or two.

1) i want to lay indian paving set within a brick edging. do i lay the edging first and does this edging have to match the fall i give the patio?

2) the patio looks like it will be bedded on a concrete base (currently showing under old flags to be ripped up). i may need to add some hardcore in areas where there isnt any concrete as this is where gravel has been. i am correct doing this?

3) the laying mix calculator has confused me. what ratio do i lay my flags at? 10:1 or 6:1 one calculator is saying to use 3.6T sand plus 29 cement, another says only 15 bags cement. which is correct. i am laying 47sqm.

4) i want to do a circle in the middle. do i lay this first and then add the rest of the paving around it?

thanks for any help.

[GB_Groundworks]

1) yes (id work in a kind of L shape if you get me out from one corner)

2) you will need to excavate to a depth of 100mm, fill with a type 1 stone or equivalent and then compact with a wacker. make sure its well compacted as if like you say half is on concrete and half on new compacted stone there is possibility of settlement and ten rocking or cracking flags. it might be advisable to concrete the extra portion to match, thats what i would do.

3)6:1 i'd use can't wrong with it being a bit stronger

4) well you need to layout your paving with string lines and then mark the centre of your circle, you can use sand if you have no spray line etc.

depending on how confident you are on your ability and measuring there is less chance for error if you lay the circle first and make good around that with your squaring off kit.

lunch over back to work.

gi

[marsaday]

ok thanks. can someone just confirm which calculator i need to use for the screed. i will order 3 grit sand and 1 building so i can use the building for the pointing.

[Rich H]

If it's Indian stone you won't be screeding. The uneven faces and varying thicknesses mean that the slabs have to be individually laid as you go. You will need 4-5 bulk bags sharp/grit sand (depending on the thickness of your bedding course) but only 3-4 small bags of building sand for the pointing of the slabs and more if you are pointing the brick edging as well.

Based on a 6:1 mix you'll need about 30 bags cement for the sharp sand.

When you lay the circle do a dry run first - they can be very tricksy the first couple of times.

[marsaday]

yes i was going to do the individual laying method, not a screed.

i have got my amounts correct now.

a few more questions if i may:

1) is it better to use a moist mix as opposed to dry. i prefer using moist as it will be easier to tamp down.

2) should i go for 6:1 mix as opposed to 10:1. it will only be foot traffic on the patio, but it will be our barbi area etc.

3) any comment on using lime in the mix as i have been reading about this.

4) what colour pointing do people think looks good with a raveena indian paving ? is a black morter going to look the dogs B? or should it be a lighter colour ?

finally i need to lay about 25m of brick edging. how much sand will this use up and do i go for building sand for this bit (not sharp).

[Injured]

I use a wettish mix as it is easier to bed the stone on too it and the black pointing does look good but is a nightmare to do because it can stain the stone easier than a normal mix.
As has already been mentioned I would use the stronger mix of 6:1