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Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 8:37 pm
by Bean2
We are having a patio relaid 160 sq metres of 18" sq moulded concrete slabs. The patio was originally laid on 5 spot mortar about twenty years ago and as predicted in articles on this site had gone extremely uneven. As appears to be recommended here I am insisting that the contractor re-laying them does so on a screed bed (4 to 1 sharp sand to cement), but he says that will trap water in the joints between the slabs - they are patterned and designed to be butt jointed. He wants to spot mortar them again as that wiill allow any water to drain through the joints and avoid frost damage. Does he have a point?
Many thanks for any advice,
Ian
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:03 pm
by msh paving
tell him to get back on his horse and ride on outa town,he is talking twaddle ,if he lays them to correct falls water will run off besides slabs are not gonna be damaged by frost anyway,you are customer insist he lays them the way you whant show him the slab laying page
http://www.pavingexpert.com/layflag1.htm
MSH 
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:06 pm
by DNgroundworks
Definatley got to agree with MSH - slabs should always be laid on a full bed, and as for the water drainage thing he came up with what a load of rubbish.
He probably wants to lay them spot style because its easier/quicker/cheaper, dont let him do it!
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:12 pm
by lutonlagerlout
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:26 pm
by Bean2
Thanks for the replies. A specialist paving company has been engaged to finish the job and they will be laying the slabs on a screed bed. Fingers crossed!