Yorkstone setts- a few qs - To seal or not to seal?

[KevinMc]

Hi there,
Great site, I've learnt lots already.I'm about to embark on paving my front path (pedestrian traffic only). I've decided to use natural stone: yorkstone setts (100 x 100 x 75mm) and an edging (fixed on concrete) of Kilkenny Blue Limestone (300 x 75 x80mm)- these are leftover from a separate job.

I plan to use a 50mm crusher run sub-base followed by 50mm grit sand bedding and kiln dried sand for jointing. Does that sound about right?


My questions are:


1. How would you advise cutting these materials, will an angle grinder do it, is there something better?

2. Would it be worth sealing the yorkstone after laying it?If so with what?

3.Is there any chance that using geoflex stabilising liquid could stain natural stone?

Any advice you can think of or problems you forsee would be gratefully recieved.

Cheers
Kevin

[Tony McC]

50mm isn't a sub-base: it's a regulating layer. A sub-base has to have some intrinsic strength and load-bearing capability. 50mm depth doesn't - 75mm just about - 100mm does.

1 - diamond-blade power saw - see the Cutting page

2 - Naah - never looks right when sealed, and besides, you should never seal any segemental paving, whether it's stone, clay or concrete, for aty least 6 months after laying. Different for PIC, I know, but flags, CBPs, setts, and the rest really are better left to 'weather' slightly before deciding whether you want to daub them with varnish.

3 - Yes, there is a slight risk because stone is so variable in its nature. I'm not convinced that the stabilising jollop is even necessary. I'd sand the joints and see how it goes for a few months. If you find you have a problem with sand loss or scour, then maybe a stabilising fluid would be the answer, but applying it immediately after construction is tackling a problem that might never exist.

[KevinMc]

Thanks for the advice Tony, much appreciated.

Cheers,

Kevin