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Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 9:38 pm
by Grumpyold
My contractor is part-way through laying a 50m2 (black limestone) patio that covers 3 areas to the sides and back of the house. After the rain, small puddles gather at the (low) edge of some of the flags, on others the puddle appears on one of the low edge corners. They only persist on about 25% to 33% of the flags. It's as if there is a tiny, raised lip preventing a complete run-off. The rest of the flags drain and dry OK. They have a smooth(ish) finish (hammered?) - not riven.
It's laid using a project pack with 4 different sizes.
The contractor seems to sticking to a 1:60 fall and the overall levels look OK.
The contractor says that the puddles are caused by variations that you find in natural stone, and that the smooth finish is a result of splitting rather any dressing such as hammered. Any comments/advice?
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 9:52 pm
by DempseyLiverpool
Your contractor seems to be talking sense to me.
I find that hand cut limestone (black) even tho it appears fairly smooth it still holds the odd splash of water because of the natural texture of the stone.
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2014 10:05 pm
by Dave_L
Sounds normal to me (or for what can be expected from a naturally split product)
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 6:31 am
by Noony
Is the paving not jointed/pointed at the minute?
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 2:17 pm
by lutonlagerlout
I have noticed this on some sawn paving we have down
water seems to hang on the last 30-40mm of the flag
the solution of course would be to have a 1:45 fall but then the patio would be a big ramp
1:60 is perfect for 99% of stone and he sounds like he is doing it right
a picture might help if you could upload one
cheers LLL
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 9:26 pm
by Grumpyold
Thanks for all your (very) quick replies.
To answer your questions - some of the pointing has now been done, but I haven't had a chance to see (in the daylight) the effect of this on the puddling - yes I do have some pics (before pointing)- but can't figure out how to attach them - yet.
Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 7:38 am
by seanandruby
Once they have been pointed i think you need an intricate bit of plant to fix the problem, it's called a ... yard broom :;):
Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 8:00 am
by Mikey_C
how to post photos
here
and here
Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 1:41 pm
by Grumpyold
Thanks for the help with attaching pics
The contractor has lifted two of the flags where they had pooled quite badly.
Funny he didn't think a yard-broom was the answer - but then, he seems pretty experienced.
Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 5:39 pm
by lutonlagerlout
looks fine to me
welcome to the world of black limestone!
LLL
when its pointed it will probably look a lot better 
Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 8:55 pm
by Noony
You should find that once it's jointed the water won't sit on the edges like that...
If the falls are as stated then all is fine.
Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 7:24 pm
by Grumpyold
Thanks for taking the time to give me your comments - I guess I'll stop worrying about it and see how it goes when the pointing is finished.
Thanks again.
Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 7:56 pm
by seanandruby
That's it Grumpy, let the contactor finish before worrying.
I had a customer once, he kept watching and commenting on the way i was doing the job, annoying, very annoying ???