Sandstone problems

[psmudge]

hi i have laid a small patio 3mx4m using indian sand stone and a semi dry 5 to 1 mix tamping down the stone with a rubber hammer,6 days later i went to grout it, to find that i could lift up a number of the stones (most of them)is this normal, i used a dry mix because i was told a wet mix would stain the sandstone
ps the cement has set but is a bit flakey
hope you can help
phil

[DNgroundworks]

well if the flags weren't rocking then there's no real problem, why did you lift them up? personally i prefer a slightly wetter mix to aid adhesion, sometimes we use a bond bridge as well.

I think that a dry mix or semi dry mix and indian sandstone dont work so well together, but thats my opinion gained from my own experiences, alot will say that semi dry is fine.

[psmudge]

thanks for that reply, two or three of them had a slight rock so i thought i wonder? thats when i found they would lift, this is only the start of the patio a small raised section, i have another 20m2 to do this was just the tester, i think i will try wet from now on and do it bit by bit.
phil

[mike builder/landscaper]

i use a mix of 5 parts sharp sand 1 part yellow sand and a cap full of mortar plastisicer. this is mixed wet almost like bricklaying mortar. spread a full bed the size of your paving flag you are going to lay on the floor and make deep ripples with your trowel accross the bed and lay your flag. i always have a bucket of water to hand and an emulsion brush then any spills of mortar are cleaned up instantly. definatly get good adhesion laying with this method.

[lutonlagerlout]

i use a mix of 5 parts sharp sand 1 part yellow sand and a cap full of mortar plastisicer.

no cement mike <cough cough>
LLL ???

[mike builder/landscaper]

sorry, forgot to add the cement in the mix. but i think the guy got the jist off what mix i personally use.

[Kristina]

Sorry wrong thread, don't know how to delete it!