The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:26 am**

Hopefully my last question

I've now laid my carpet stones in an area about 30 foot by 16 foot. I laid them on top of a screeded bed, which got them nice and flat and ready for pointing. The ones around the edge of the job were put in with a wet mix to help keep them firm around the borders. So far so good.

My problem is that they're not at all bedded in (you could lift off the mat of stones if you wanted to) - so I need a strong pointing to keep them firmly in place. My very helpful neighbour (builder) had two thoughts:

- Kiln dried sand, mixed with cement and brushed in carefully and dusted down afterwards with a light sprinkling OR
- Sharp/Cement slurry washed over the stones to give them a stronger bond.

On testing a couple of stones, the cement stains seemed to come off very easily so I don't think the surface is that porous. He thought the second idea may be better as the kiln dried sand might not go off that strongly, even after a couple of applications.

Any ideas on 'best practice' and also whether a black dye would only wash out after a couple of years and isnt worth mixing in?

Thanks as ever .. Ian

Posted: **Tue Apr 10, 2007 8:40 pm**

what about using romex terrace or rompox?
you can sweep these in and its job done the resin sets them
plus if you get basalt its naturally black
i dont know if they are suitable for carpet stones though
maybe someone can help us?
cheers LLL

Posted: **Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:00 pm**

Thanks LLL - can someone at ronacrete in Harlow help advise? Here's what Bradstone say (below) on their website for laying driveways - maybe this could work as well? I have 6+ inches of type 1 scalpins (not concrete, as they advise) but I'm figuring this might be OK.

And I thought this would be the easy bit!

thx Ian

1. Excavate area and lay a concrete base of 100-150mm, depending upon firmness of the ground.

2. Lay Carpet Stones on a 35mm bed of 5 parts sharp sand to 1 part cement and compact with a vibrating mechanical plate (fitted with a rubber sole to avoid marking).

3. Brush dry mix of 3 parts sharp sand to 1 part cement into joints and repeat vibrating operation. Brush any excess off the product and leave to harden.

Posted: **Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:34 pm**

romex is a german company,ronacrete is a separate entity,the instructions seem a bit odd to me but i have never laid carpet stones,anyone else care to add????
cheers LLL

Posted: **Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:10 am**

Jointing for CarpetStones is an ongoing issue, but the dry mix brush-in method is a complete waste of time (and Bradstone know it!)

It doesn't set hard, it just goes crumbly and then it gets covered in weeds and then it falls out. If the stones are laid onto a moist mix and brushed-in immediately, and then tooled hard, there's a chance the mortar will wick-up sufficient water to initiate a decent cure, but the methdology quoted above is a waste of good sand.

The Romex or GftK is ideal for this type of project

Posted: **Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:39 am**

Thanks Tony - I think Romex is the answer then - I now just need to find a supplier down south (nearerst I found so far is in Blackpool

)

If anyone knows a more local supplier to Fleet (Hants) who can save me a trip up the M40 - I'd be most grateful!

thanks, Ian

Posted: **Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:04 am**

Ruscrete in Southampton - http://www.home-of-landscaping.co.uk/

Posted: **Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:11 am**

Many thanks - a little closer then, although no chance of a donkey ride

thx Ian

Posted: **Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:42 pm**

doh! i cannot find romex on ruscrete's site???
i keep asking butterfields to stock it but they just look blankly when i ask
LLL

Posted: **Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:11 am**

I contacted them directly, they do have it in stock although I agree their website isn't exactly clear ....

cheers, Ian

Posted: **Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:56 am**

... sorry, one more thing - I also contacted Bradstone and their technical adviser confirmed that Rompox is indeed suitable for use with their carpet stones - I'll post a pic when done .. thx again, Ian

The Brew Cabin

Pointing bradstone carpet (cobble) stones - What's the best way?