The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Tue Mar 15, 2005 9:48 am**

Hello

I'm laying a small patio (approx 2m x 3m) around a conservatory with 450x450 flags uniform thickness. My base will be 50mm MOT hardcore. From reading the information on this site I was thinking of laying the flags on a 50mm thick 10:1 sand/cement mix screed bed. I want to have 3mm joints between the flags as I don't want to have mortar joints.

I have some questions ???

1) As the area is small can I can compact without using a mechanical compactor and what should I use instead?

2) Can I lay all my screed out before laying or will the screed set before I finish (I will be working slowly as I'm a novice!)

3) What should I fill the joints in with. Can I use just kiln dried sand brushed in. Should I mix any cement in with the sand ?

Advice appreciated, thanks.
Dave

ps this is a great site.

Posted: **Tue Mar 15, 2005 5:32 pm**

1 - a punnel, the butt-end of a fence post, the head of sledge-hammer - anything that will hammer down the sub-base material and give good compaction.

2 - yes. Using a semi-dry mix will give you up to 6 hours working time at this time of year, so that's only 1mÂ² per hour!

3 - kiln-dried sand. No cement necessary.

The Brew Cabin

Small patio laying - Advice needed