The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:40 pm**

Hi,

Just laid a patio - old riven effect bradstone flags of varying sizes image provided below

patio 1

patio 2

patio 3

Got a few questions: -

First off is it ok to lay on top of the pebbles like i did? The only thing below these is quite damp compacted soil.

When I laid them they felt really solid, using the 10:1 mix that I read about on this site, however when i went for a quick inspection a min ago - (laid them about 2 days ago) they did seem solid still with no movement but when i tapped on a few of the flags in the corners they sound a bit hollow? like there is going to be movement at some point - is this normal and am I worrying about nothing? I can't understand why this is, like I say when I laid them they were really solid with no movement.

I've been putting dried kiln sand into the joints to seal them, how do you get this to stay in without getting blown out?

Couple more pics added so you can see what I'm on about.

Advice welcomed, cheers

Posted: **Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:01 pm**

hmmm sounds odd,did you lay a full bed under each slab?
you can get various propriety pavement mortars ,that you brush in and then go hard,romex rompox and patio are 2 very good ones ,geofix is sh!te
bannister hall garden centre near preston sells the romex stuff by mail order
are the slabs rocking at all?
btw cant see the pictures
regards LLL

Posted: **Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:50 am**

Hi, thanks for reply.

No their not rocking, just some of them definately sound hollow in some corners as if the bed is not quite in contact.

Laid the flags individually and when they were put down they seemed really solid - they still do - I can't see movement but like I say just some of them sound hollow! - can't think why.

Don't know why you can't see pics, seem to be working fine when I use the link.

Cheers,

Posted: **Fri Apr 20, 2007 4:05 pm**

I, too, have a problem with permissions when trying to view the images.

Posted: **Sat Apr 21, 2007 2:09 pm**

God knows what has happened with the pics - couldn't upload them as they weren't .gif so thought I'd put a link onto my kodak site but it obviously has failed!!

With regard to the romex - I'm going to purchase some as it sounds like the dogs doodles. I can't find sites anywhere on the web for it unless in german. Anyone got a number for this bannister hall garden centre that is supposed to stock it? Nothing really comes up on google when i search for it.

Again help is really appreciated, hopefully the romex will add just a little bit more support for the joints to stop movement. I can see myself taking a few of the slabs up in future through movement but just haven't got the energy to do it right now.

Cheers

Posted: **Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:48 pm**

I can see the pictures.

I would be concerned that you've laid a patio on a sub-base of pebbles, which won't be compacted. If these are on damp soil as you say, worms and moisture will turn your lovely patio into something less than firm in a year or two.

Your joints are quite small and therefore you won't be able to point them with a sand-cement mix. If you can't get hold of Romex, you can get Sika Pavefix at your nearest Travis Perkins. It's not as good as I understand Romex to be, but it will be better than using kiln dried sand which on joints that size is just perfect for weeds to grow in.

The Brew Cabin

Help needed - just laid patio