Standing there, looking at your new hole in the garden with a fresh cup of tea and feeling proud of your achievement so far-what’s next?
Get yourself some wooden pegs. You can use any bit of stick but I prefer to use ground pegs from my local builder’s merchant as they do a better job in my opinion. You need to knock the pegs in so that the tops are at the finished height of the patio and using the long level adjust the heights to give you a sufficient fall (slope) away from the house or other building. Ideally the fall will be onto a lawn or border or into a gulley if needed.
Add sufficient sub-base material and ideally use a whacker plate (Hire one) and compact the aggregate to about 100mm finish. You will probably start with 5 or 6 inches to end up with 4 at the finish. Don’t skimp on this bit as a patio is only as good as the base it’s laid on. Some contractors prefer a sub-base of 150mm (6”) and as I say, more is better.
Next is the fun bit, the topping can go on!
Making some assumptions you will have already taken delivery of your slabs. You should also have sufficient sharp sand and cement to meet your needs. Your slab supplier should be able to advise on quantities or use an online calculator to get an idea.
Use any supplied laying pattern or one from a paving brochure if you have chosen different sizes of slabs. Set up a string-line down to the required height from the house as you will find getting your levels much harder without. (The wooden pegs can be removed as you come to them).
Mix your sand and cement using 7 parts sand to 1 part cement and make the mix more wet than dry. This will be a bit trial and error and all will make sense when laying the slabs. Start at the house and lay away back towards the garden following your string-line. Use your two levels to get accuracy across the slabs. A long level will show up any dips or highs better than a short one.
Let’s say all has gone to plan, your slabs are laid and it’s looking good. The finishing touch is the pointing. Many professionals are using ‘sweep-in’ compounds these days as not only are they faster to use but many can be laid in any weather conditions.
EASYJoint is one of the market leaders and offers many benefits over traditional pointing methods.
Look at the
EASYJoint website for an excellent
demonstration video on how to apply.
Work has begun on a new video as we speak so watch this space, we hope you will like it!
See Part 4
Written by Jeff Carter; employee Of Azpects Ltd (plus ex Landscape Gardener and Paving Centre Manager)
