Hi fella's. Finished my patio and path about a month ago so have uploaded some pics. To summarise, my wife and I laid about 55m2 of Raj Green indian sandstone flags and setts. We took our time (both retired) and are very pleased with the overall result bearing in mind it was my first time laying paving of this type and scale. I'd like to thank sincerely Tony McC for this excellent and informative site as well as providing the layout drawing (modified by me in a couple of places) and you guys for giving me guidance and assurances when required (previous topics "Patio one brick below dpc", "Hollow sound" and "Riven sandstone patio and path").
I mixed the jointing mortar myself using 3:1 building sand:50/50 white/Portand cement, buff pigment with a good dollop of SBR. Whilst it's turned out to be as hard as nails and consistent in colour, it was a balls-aching job. I could only manage about 10-12m2 a day (mainly due to boredom) so it took me 5 days. Every joint was filled full depth, compacted with a pointing trowel and finished off with a jointing tool. I used nearly 300 kg of mortar. With the benefit of hindsight, if ever doing it again (although extremely unlikely), I'd opt for Easipoint mortar. I reckon I'd have needed about 9 or 10 bags - a lot more expensive but obviously much quicker.
The remainder of the garden will be sorted in the new year. Next project after Christmas, a complete head to toe strip out and refitting of our en-suite bathroom.
In the spring and summer I've also got to sort out 130m2 of block paving at the front and side of the house so I'll be back on this site for advice. It was laid about 20 years ago by the original builder using sand on top of hoggin (not Type 1). It's sunk in a few places causing water to pond when it rains. I'll most likely repair the offending patches as I don't have the dosh to replace it completely. From reading other posts I guess I'd be looking at about £10-12k plus VAT for removal and replacement for a proper job.
excellent try bruce
as ken said whats with the 30mm change in level?
also the back door step is too low
but thats nitpicking ,
you did a fantastic job
LLL
Many thanks for the comments. The small step change caused me a bit of a headache. I started the side path at the back door (where the step is) 2 bricks below dpc. With a fall of 1 in 50, this left the edge of the setts at the same height as the top of the new gravel boards recently installed by my neighbour - I couldn't really go any higher. Following the path round the side at the same fall (see pic 5 with the green flower pot), the flags met the return wall about 1 1/2 bricks below dpc.
The main patio and right hand side path (when viewed from the garden) is at the same level as the block paving adjacent the back gate/fence (see pic 3). We didn't want to step down when entering the garden from the back gate plus we wanted the left hand path to match the patio so opted for the step change where it is now. The small rectangle of left hand path obviously falls in two directions.
Next year I've got to remove between 50 and 150mm of turf/topsoil from the garden next year so it's level with the paving.
With regard to the step at the back door, I kept it at the same height as the original which had been there for 20 years. I wanted to raise the height to 150mm (it's now 90mm), but the wife didn't want me to re-route the copper oil feed pipe around it. She said it's been like that for 20 years so why change it now? It was nearing the end of a tiring day and my dinner depended on agreement. Guess who won!!
