The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Tue May 15, 2007 1:08 pm**

Hi, this website is awesome and i've learned so much already, but I think I have confused myself a bit and would like some confirmation on a few things if anyone would be kind enough to take the time.

1. i have a small patio which i'll remove before i start, can I leave its bed in place and add new 10:1 mix over it? Its a solid patio with no movement and i would rather not disturb the ground if possible.

2. the new patio will be roughly twice the size of the old patio when laying the individual bed of 45 -50mm 10:1 do i whacker plate it then add a loose topping for the slabs to bed to or just agitate the already laid bed?

3. when buttering the patio edges during laying do I? Use 10:1 or a stronger mix of mortar?

4. the slabs are cheap homebase specials what is the ideal spacing for them they're 450x450mm, is 6-8 mm enough or would 10 mm be better?

I think thats everything! Sorry to be asking stupid questions but I would like to get it right 1st time, or at least second time

Posted: **Tue May 15, 2007 4:10 pm**

Question one has been answered!!!

The cowboys who laid the original patio appear to have used a 1 dollop of mortor technique and the bed appears to be soft sand with a thin film of mortor, from what i've learned so far i'm amazed this thing hasn't crumbled away
YEEE HAWW:D

Posted: **Tue May 15, 2007 7:09 pm**

dave
wack the subbase not the bedding mixture
and yes agitate the bedding mixture to make it easier to tap down the slab
if you are using "biscuits" as we call them dont hit 'em too hard
cheers LLL

Posted: **Tue May 15, 2007 8:52 pm**

Buttering the slabs is not easy and not, in my view, necessary for your application. As they are biscuits (with a uniform thickness and even) you can lay them on a screed. Follow the directions on here and get yourself a 6' level which will cover 4 slabs at a time for a perfect finish. When it's all laid point it in with strong mix as Tony describes.

You didn't say what prep you're going to do for the extended part. Make sure it's firm and put in a sub base if you're not sure. You don't want to end up with one part of your paving solid and the other part dropping.

Posted: **Tue May 15, 2007 9:10 pm**

Thanks guys, i've started the levelling off and getting the fall in and start whacking tomorrow.

Just one more question if I can.

Should I butt joint the stones?
all the edges are smooth and square/ even or should I leave a 6 mm gap anyway? What is considered "good practice"?

Thanks guys.

Posted: **Tue May 15, 2007 11:27 pm**

butt joint is NOT considered good practise,because in the real world nothing is 100% true
cheers LLL

Posted: **Thu May 17, 2007 8:46 am**

Depends whether you want to spend time pulling grass and weeds out every year or not!

The Brew Cabin

I'm getting confused with myself - Patio laying