Sandstone paving loose and now rocking - Patio

[rimexboy]

Dump the old stuff you take out, no good for reuse MSH

right oh many thanks for the quick reply Msh
thanks simon

[Mick Leek]

Dont want to hijack this post, but i am also meant to be starting my patio this coming week with indian sandstone. I have read the site in depth rgarding bedding onto sand, or sand cement, or wet mix.

when you say lay onto a wet mix, do you mean a solid bed ? I have read somewhere on this site that flags should be bedded onto sharp sand only ?

Again , sorry for hijack

[Mikey_C]

to save the pros some typing I shall make a statement and let them concur or disagree. As I understand it's wet mix (rather than moist) wet being similar to brick laying mortar in terms of consistency, i.e. if you slash it with trowel, the gash should holds it shape without closing. In terms of quantities in the mixer. It should be sharp (grit, course, etc) sand anywhere in the region of 10 to 4 parts to 1 of cement. Some guys on here also replace some of sharp sand with builders (bricklaying, mortar, as dug etc.).
This is placed as a full bed with the top 10-20mm agitated before slab placement and compaction.

Having re-read this, it is about as clear as mud, which coincidently should never be used as bedding regardless of how much cement is added!

[Bob_A]

I'm here to learn but from what I can gather what you say Mikey is right.
Seems every pro has their own little preference but they all follow the same guide lines.
6 parts sharp sand to 1 part cement with some plasticiser seems popular, consistency as you described, thickness 35-50mm and top of the bed agitated like you describe with a trowel, spade or rake.
Hope that's right

[henpecked]

I did my indian stone with a 6:1 mix of sharp sand. Load the mixer with the sand first, then blend in the cement till all the stuffs mixed thoroughly. Then get you bucket (I used a watering can,easier) to put your 'FEBBED' water in. Then mix untill it starts to stick together, It will take you a couple of mixes to get the right consistency that will suit how and what your laying

.....oh ,I forgot to mention, put about a half to a full gallon of water in the mixer to start with (depends on how wet your sand is already)

HP

[rimexboy]

Hi
all well ive learnt the hard way it has to be said,
first time round i laid it moist mix 4 sharp sand 1 cement, and ive paid big time for it, slabs dont stick and mix is still quite soft and can not tap them down very easy...

so after my many posts superb advice from you lot and re-reading the main site and the forum propely, ive taken your advice and started to dig it back up and relay it again.

So i decided to do my step first with a wet mix of 4 sharp sand and 1 cement and i am now a very happy chappy its stuck very well i did also wet the back of the indian sandstone first aswell.

I have decided to do my patio in sections as ive already laid around 20 yes 20 square meters and got my levels in, so i can try and make it a little easyer, my project is around 47 square meters, so on sunday i took up 2 trailer loads and took them to the tip and today myself and my fantastic neighbour relaid it and it looks great it has to be said.

we did not lay loads but i must admitt am obviously just a diy er so the only advice i can give any other diy er is read the site and if your still not sure ask the questions on this forum.

this site and forum is not like alot of others out their you have proper pros on here who are fantastic at trying to help you out and long may it continue.

many thanks again for all the fantastic help and advice on this simon

[lutonlagerlout]

that's what we are here for simon,
impartial ,professional advice.
my main tip to any DIYer is to read ,re-read and read again the relevant info, also take your time setting out
LLL

[rimexboy]

that's what we are here for simon,
impartial ,professional advice.
my main tip to any DIYer is to read ,re-read and read again the relevant info, also take your time setting out
LLL

LLL Yer make you right, another section dug up today with another 2 trips to the tip and nice and wet today aswell, hope fully lay some more tomorrow

thanks simon

[rimexboy]

Well the saga continues..
its been some time as ive only got the odd evening and weekend to do this job, but all the slabs are now down and getting the pointing done very slow going thought.

i will try and post some pictures soon i hope...

thanks again all for your help and advice simon

[Bob_A]

This is an old thread where the original poster suffered some rocking to his newly laid sandstone patio.
He came to the conclusion that the reason for this was that people had walked upon it too soon.

I know there's are variables such as the mix used and weather conditions but are there any guestimates how long you should wait before you can walk on a moist mix patio that has not been pointed.

Reason for asking is that it may take a while to lay the patio due to the shorter days and work commitments and it could be a while before the pointing gets done.

Oh by the way by walking I mean one person at a time and only if they have a real need to, no kids jumping around!
Cheers

[cookiewales]

if laid on solid bed and they should be then pack under edge of slabs use pointing trowel and flush up so sides are full at end of laying day sprinkle with lots of water which also washers your laying marks of should be fine to walk on next day middle of slabs only dont fill up joints till ready to point advice romex very clean and if used right is bomb proof cheers cookie

[Tony McC]

The usual advice for mortar bedded paving is for a minimum 24 hours before allowing careful foot traffic, and preferably 48-72 hours, and 5 days minimum for anything heavier.

If we were to stick to the rulebook, there'd be no vehicular traffic on rigid bound pavement for at least 4 weeks!