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Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:03 pm
by GR8GUY
Hi all,
After much reading on here I’m converted from the 5 wet blobs style of flag laying and want to do it properly. Im planning on laying flags in my rear garden (foot traffic only).
If I am to lay 60 individually bedded flags that are 600mm x 600mm how much sharp sand /cement do I need to order from builders merchant ? Ive tried the sites estimator but it makes no sense to me. Its probably quite simple.
From reading the forums I believe I need a bed of 50mm and it should ideally be dry mix of 7-1. Does this sound correct.
Cheers
???
Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:22 pm
by lutonlagerlout
2 tones of grit sand and 10 25kg bags of cement should sort this out
LLL 
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:53 pm
by GR8GUY
Hi, I completed the above job at the weekend. I ended up using a dry mix of 4 sharp sand to 1 cement ratio. My question is how long will it be before the flags are fully set ? Job was complete saturday 25th evening. The first rain was early Monday morning. ???
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 7:01 am
by lutonlagerlout
"dry mix" oh dear 
are they set now m8?
i use and always have used a wet mix,you can walk on them an hour later,its perverse but a wet mix sets a lot quicker than a dry mix,but when i say wet i mean wet like mortar
how much water did you put in each mixture?
regards LLL
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:50 pm
by GR8GUY
Hi,
Ooops now you have me very nervous :O .
I didnt add any water just a 4-1 dry mix.
I'm sure i read in one of the posts that that there would be enough moisture in the sand to set off the cement without adding water.
At least I was pretty sure before I read your reply..
It will set..wont it ??? It rained for about 5 hours yesterday which Im hoping was a good thing.
I stepped on them yesterday evening as I planned to sweep gravel into the gaps and lots of them seemed to be firm, but a few were not hence my last post. Whats your gut feeling ? My guts are churning 
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 3:12 pm
by bodgeitandscarper
Ay?
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 3:14 pm
by bodgeitandscarper
Sounds about right, I always have a few that move, I think it gives it a more rustic look!! But then again i am sh1t3.
Seriously though what to do you mean gaps? their should be no f-fing gaps!! if your worried relay the ones that move and point all the joints (no gaps)
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 3:26 pm
by henpecked
It will naturally draw in moisture from the air and also from rain etc. If its a bit more solid, try giving it a soak with a hose, only if it wont wash out the unset mix.
HP
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 3:50 pm
by DNgroundworks
I always use a wet mix, nearly as wet as what you would lay bricks with, A flag tapped in to mortar will be a stronger job than a flag placed on drymix, also unless the flag was in 100% contact with the dry mix it will wobble - which it has.
I think ive got that right, No doubt somone will correct me if im wrong:D
Regards Daniel
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:41 pm
by GB_Groundworks
yeah i use a wet 4 2 1 mix sharp sand builders sand cement, nice and smooth and trowlable. with a dry mix there wont be enough water for the cement to react and the chemical reaction to take place. i sure on the main site there is a whole bit on not using dry mix ever.
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 6:55 pm
by GR8GUY
Hi all, I was checking your replies from work and was dreading going out the back door to check the progress of the flags.
Anyway Ive now had a good step around them all and there are now only 3 of the 63 that are still slightly loose (Wobble). As suggested I will lift and relay those ones.:blush They must not have been in full face flat contact with my cement mix. I have probably got out of jail thanks to the Scottish climate
Just shows you that a full dry mix actually does work. (I certainly wont risk it again though) :p
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:51 pm
by GB_Groundworks
are you counting your chickens before they have hatched though, wait till 6 months of use then we can see if the dry mix worked, i hope it has worked and if your sand was soaked then kinda similar to wet mix anyway.