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Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 4:54 pm
by welled
We're trying to lay a patio of indian riven sandstone flags and keep getting all kinds of confusing messages as to what to lay them on:
continuous bed of wet mortar
five dollops of wet mortar
bed of dry mix
Any help would be much appreciated!
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 7:38 pm
by alan ditchfield
some professionals like wet mix some like dry, under no circumstances will they use the five spot method this really is for the cowboys. personally i prefer the wet method as i find the flags bond better to it and there is more give in the mix, but for the novice it can be a messy method and you could end up with stained flags. in other words both wet and dry have there benefits but always lay on a full bed using grit sand and cement. Just have a play around with the wet mix and the dry mix and decide which method you prefer.
Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2005 5:14 pm
by welled
thank you!!:)
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 3:13 pm
by Tony McC
Semi-dry for me, every time! 
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 5:43 pm
by Nigel Walker
I agree Tony
I cant remember the last time I laid flags on wet mortar. Must be 12 years ago when some clever dick architect specified it with the dreaded 5 spot method - I ignored him and used full bed wet mortar!
I always screed the semi dry mix and lay the flags forward like laying block paving - this is a much easier method than laying backwards on wet mortar -a la Tommy Walsh !!!!
I have just laid 75m2 of Indian Sandstone 4 sizes - on a screed of semi dry. Started off with the thickest flags 1st and then bedded up when using the thinner ones.
I have used this method for years and I have never had any rocking or movement in the flags.
The only time there was a problem - I had just laid 50 m2 of riven flags. Told the client to keep off them for 2-3 days to allow the semi dry mix to set. Came back the following day and the patio was full of garden furniture - tables, chairs, swings etc etc. Got a phone call the next day - some of the flags are rocking. Well I am not surprised !!! I had to put them right because I hadnt been paid - but things like that really pi** me off
So, Semi Dry for me every time
Nigel