Laying a single flag - Question

[tinamic]

Hi,

we have just put down topsoil on 4m x 4m of our front garden and I would like to put down a 600mm x 600mm flag with a feature on in the centre and seed the rest.
Do I need to put down a base for the flag? it doesn't matter about the height.
Also I want to put another layer of flags on top of some existing one's in the back garden, I was going to cement these on would that be right?
It's my first time doing anything like this so advice would be welcome.
Thanks
Tina

[seanandruby]

hi tina welcome. Because you are putting a feature on top i would dig out the topsoil, place sub-base, compact then lay on sharp sand and cement mix, about 10 / 1. Putting flags on top of existiing depends on how sound the existing flags are. I'd never recommend it myself, also you have to be careful you don't compromise the dpc.

[Suggers]

welcome also Tina - Sean speaks da biz - we need a photo or two, whether the new stuff is going to abutt to the house.

[tinamic]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for your replies.
We've got spare paving stones the same size and I was thinking that they could stop the grass coming over the current paving and act as a higher path to get to the gazebo.
When it rains we have standing water on the lower part of the paving and you have to wade accross, I think it's 'cos it's clay soil.
Thanks for the guidance on the sigle flag Sean, there's a sub-base
already under the topsoil cos that was paved before, so we just need to take that up and put down a sand/cement mix it's only a 600mm flag, how much sand & cement would you recommend I buy?

[London Stone Paving]

1 small bag of sharp sand and 1 bag of cement should cover it.

Also sorry to hijack your post but Sean reccomended a 10/1 mix of sand & cement. When I was a landscaper I used to use 4/1 mix. I was wondering what is the correct mix because I hear so many different ratios.

Discuss

[cookiewales]

1 small bag of sharp sand and 1 bag of cement should cover it.

Also sorry to hijack your post but Sean reccomended a 10/1 mix of sand & cement. When I was a landscaper I used to use 4/1 mix. I was wondering what is the correct mix because I hear so many different ratios.

Discuss

4to1 wins hands down every time

[tinamic]

Thanks Guys, I'll try the 4/1 mix.
Please let me know about the flags on top of flags when you get chance.
Tina

[seanandruby]

I'd agree that as it's for a feature that i'm assuming could be a bit 'weighty' it might be best to go a bit stronger with the cement content. But as a patio can be laid on just sand and not sink, then why would you want to go 4/1 sand cement ratio ??? All the cement is doing is stopping the sand migrating, therefore a minimum amount of cement is required to avoid this. If i were laying a driveway then i agree a stronger cbm is needed. I expect on pricing it would be beneficial to price at 4/1 but in reality use a weaker mix. Back to the main topic Tina, i would go for sorting out some drainage, as just building up your existing won't solve the flooding problem. Maybe expose the edging and landscape the existing grass area to that height. Also you could take out the broken flags and replace with your 'supply.'

[tinamic]

Thanks Sean, we have tried a 2ft ditch for drainage but it just filled up and eventually caved in, I hadn't thought of finding the original edging,I'm curious now to see where it is.
We have laid the flag now and gone for a sphere, I'm really pleased, just need to wait for the seed to take now.

Many thanks to all for the advice.
Tina