Either pour or sprinkle the binding solution over the pea gravel in even and light layers. Hi I wish I could afford to hire you! Start your subscription today and save up to 70%. And just fill the joints wit local soil. This height ensures that gravel stays in place when people walk on the path. Will dry up to a fairly hard surface. IDK what the limestone flour only material is you speak of, but you should be able to find proper screenings/grit/decomposed granite/8th inch minus/crusher run/etc in your area, under one name or another. please reply with name of screening, where to buy and if method i am thinking is good. It would fail, but I see the reason. Anyway. I was tempted to use the leftover poly sand from our paved project on our flagstones which already have screenings between them because after a good rain lots of stone chips pop up onto the flagstones making it unpleasant to walk on with bare feet. Its 3/8 in size, and says with finesthats what you need. Stone dust getting kicked out of the joints may be a bit of a concernbut I would fill with stone dust, hose down, and then top it off. Any suggestions? Yes, whenever you grind out mortar joints between flagstone, I pretty much expect a stone or two to pop up lose. "I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. Not much sun on the walkway but Id imagine moss doesnt care that much about that. Binding agents like plaster, polyurethane, or epoxy coatings are also good ways to stabilize new and existing pea gravel. You can get rid of weeds easily by boiling up a pot of water in the pouring water on them. Using pavers, like TRUEGRID pavers, to stabilize your pea gravel walkway is another option. We have a large concrete patio(800 sq ft?) I havent filled yet because i am still adding onto it. Just an aesthetic issue. What do you suggest using in the joints of a Limestone walkway (in NY)? -just planting grass in between the stone. i am a fan of screening, but at times, find it hard on bare feet. Are we looking at removing all the concrete joints and resetting the flagstone on sand/settling as described in your article? (Note: I am not a professional, but love to DYI landscape). I did find limestone screenings on this website: http://www.greenbuilderssupply.net/pr_bulk_materials_dumping.htm. Plus, Ill answer short and sweet questions here on my blog, of course. Anyway, I suspect white screenings are going to be too white for what youre trying to match. If its built upon concrete, then it should be repaired with mortar. So my answer involves work. Also do you use stone enhancer to intensify the color of the flag stone? Im thinking you could take a concrete saw and just run one cut down the middle of the trench. Some joints are huge with tiny stones sort of floating in concrete. link to Why Are Houses In Florida Made Of Stucco? Its an 8 long stone, so now its sitting 2 high. Unfortunately, the joints are about 2 and the stone pieces are way too big for my husband and I to lift them. I am considering taking the sand out, re-leveling, and filling the joints with screening instead. Hello, I apologize if this has already been answered. The bricks are on now stable 1-2 dry sand beds. Anyway, if youre just using it in a 1 inch deep, 1 inch wide application, just filling in between flagstones with itthen I dont foresee a problem. Others seem to crack every 4-5 years (near roof leader downspouts and a few other areas that take longer to dry out due to adjoining vegetation). Againdo not spray round-up or any other poison unto your patio. Organic materials will not compact enough to support vehicle traffic. As easy to install as regular sand, almost. thanks, Chris (Santa Cruz Ca). The gravel was solidly stuck together. Do you think installing a border on the sides of the trench is necessary? Heres a patio, where for most of it, I set the flagstones maybe an inch to an inch and a half apartso thats already wider than usual, for mebut then, for the section of patio just past the deck and surrounding the pond, we set the flagstones more like 2 inches apart. Im really stuck and could use some advice- What might be the best solution? so my first thought was ants.I have never seen rodents leave sand piles atop a flagstone, so Im still leaning towards ants. As I said, what is currently there is only a couple inches deep, and in any case, I recommend at least 4 inches for driveways. Some of the stones now have a haze on them. I heard that self-leveling sealant with a backer rod may be better from someone. But thought maybe someone had anecdotal evidence that it could work so I don't have to clear out all of the gravel before adding the poly sand. No polymeric sand. Stones will stay in place if done correctly. Then top off with extra stone dust, hose down, etc. Weed and ant proof. Id use the saw, rather than a drill, because with the saw you can make it continuous, getting the whole thing to drain and would probably be fast to dobut I suppose you could drill one hole every 10 or something like that. I was told to lay my flag stone like a puzzle with a 3/4 in space in between, and use a mallet to get the flagstones to be level with one an other. A soupy mortar is a weak mortar. Maybe half of those patios also have limestone screenings as the leveling agenthalf an inch to inch and a half limestone screenings beneath the flagstones as well as an inch or so on either side of the stones (the joints)never once have I seen a freeze-thaw issue, or any cracked flagstones on any of these jobs. Theres white screeningswhich is more a cream/off white color. Hi Devin, Really helpful articles on flagstone. Most polymeric sand manufacturers offer at least two colors that match 95% of the interlocking pavers on the marketplace today: tan and grey. A leaf blower can be used to remove debris, as the stones are heavy enough that they won't blow away. Glad you found the article useful! Yes I have run experiments oin differenat areas of the patio and have used different amts of water with the same results. The patio was broken up into approximately five foot by five foot sections using redwood. I a, not sure what or how the original owners did the flagstone patio. I intend to lay one 12 x 5 long 2 inch thick tread on top of the cinder block. Thoughts on what we could use? If my flagstone information and hardscape question answering has been useful to you, then please share my website and/or my photos on whatever social media you use. So first we plan to dig out and level the area, then lay down some coarse sand (tamp it) for drainage. You can purchase products like EasiHold or Gravel-Lok, or other epoxy coatings. Ill get on it. Anyway, I like to set flagstone on a foundation of road base, also-known-as 2A/modified gravel. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I would like to use something called a tumbled Colorado Red Stepper which is relatively small compared to other stones. Clay subsoil can compact and sometimes stay fairly stablebut usually, it will settle and heave over the years, sometimes leaving you a fairly level patio, just with a bit of character. I have a flagstone walkway with the stone separated by 3-4 inches (anything closer would be considered an impervious surface and restricted by zoning due to coverage restrictions so nothing to be done about that). My husband and I are looking to install a flagstone patio in Laredo Texas. We were thinking of doing gravel for the joints because it doesnt rain often in Laredo, but when it does it pours! This more or less turns your stone dust into polymeric sandand you know the risks involved with that. I like the idea of the screenings but do we now have to remove all of the sand? My issue with the concrete border is that the concrete may crack. I am sure this is what the person who installed our flagstone patio 8 years ago said to use to fill the cracks. and you want to come up with a dry joint, that has the same color. Widen the cracks. Take a look at some of the polymer sealers out there, Gator Dust, by Alliance, works with patio installs. Not a good look. Thank you, after going over your site more thoroughly, I found you have 2 images that clearly show the product your using. Effort PA. Southern Poconos. I just installed a natural stone patio and was researching poly sand for filling the cracks when I came across your article. You can do it. Where are you in PA? Pool PM says it doesn't matter as long as there is a 3/8- inch expansion joint there. Devin, Thanks for the article. Screenings are crushed stone. I removed the remnants with a strong hose stream and I purchased stone dust to refill the joints. I prefer smaller joints. Scroll down to the heading that says How to install stone dust in between your flagstones. (P.S. Stays slightly flexible so it doesnt crack ((yes.it cracks, sometimes)). Good luck! https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/8f8e41ef-21f0-4fba-beda-fcb652335ff0/svn/quikrete-masonry-mortar-mix-a003a-64_1000.jpg. Also, I lived in the Poconos for more than 20 years and at one time not far from your town. In your case, decomposed granite joints. I had planned to use decomposed granite for bedding and also in the joints. Simple, right? Tree limbs, leaves and mud can end up on the driveway. In that caseId just use sand. Do not use polymeric sand with flagstone. This requires re-raking.The four dog kennels are relatively easy to maintain. Here in NE Ohio, limestone dust is all that is readily available. Ixnay on the oplypay urethane-ay and-say,okay? You could a) hire a professional. Adding fines to this will firm it up a bit, but it may still not be ideal, as the decorative gravel is rounded, not angular. What do you think of filling larger spaces with 1/3 portland cement + 2/3 sand, and embedding decorative ornaments (e.g., beach stones)? Read the directions, follow precautions (gloves, mask, glasses). Thanks. 4. Id prefer to avoid power tools and stick with as much a natural look as possible. My dry laid process is described here. Thanks for your reply. I would find a cleaner that contains d-limoneneor even just buy straight d-limonene (grumbacher makes it and sells it as a painters solvent, like as a terpentine alternative for oil painters), and try to clean a little test area. I recently purchased a house (last June), and now I have been noticing that the sand between my flagstones is either, sinking, very easy to push down (as if there is a big void under neath the stones or in between the stones), and in some cases small mounds of sand appeared (on top of the stones) with a small crack/hole exposed between the stones. If the paver base is made up of 1/8 chips of stone, mixed up with smaller bits, much of which is so small that it is flour-like, then, well, its the right stuff. The red, being more rare, is sometimes available in bagged form, in garden centers, but not in bulk at the mason supply places or quarries (where I usually get my screenings, because as a contractor, Im usually buying at least a yard.). Any suggestions to avoid this? White/cream color us also available at some masonry supply places. Very glad I could help One stone at a time, no plastic needed. Once again, tamp the decomposed granite until it does not move. The stone settles, the joint cracks. First of all know that at this point, any means to clean off the stones will likely destroy the joints that youve installed. I use approximately an inch or so of stone dust as the leveling agent. Therefore I very carefully applied the poly sand directly into the joints using a grout bag. 8-12 of compacted 21AA limestone (well compacted), decomposed granite and then filled the joints with decomposed granite. Not sure how far they are from you, but this material looks right. Hi Devin, greetings from colorado. The cement coats the peagravel and gatehrs at the contact points. It seemed to work pretty well. &When i say irregular, i mean irregular. I think you use what you have available. Patio is sloped but not very much. Good luck! Now in my irregular natural shaped flagstone patio work I will usually leave gaps averaging about three quarters of an inch wide. Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox. Ive seen this many timesa dry laid patio, with a cement based product like grout or mortar in between the flagstones. Hello Devin, We found your article a little too late. consider setting up a phone/email consultation with a professional stone hardscape instructor. The stuff I used came in 5 gallon buckets. Do we start over? Very stylistic and attractive stone fitting, very beautiful and interesting contoursI know its a bummer having to re-do some of your work, but this patio is going to be amazing, and real soon too. Just hose the patio down real well. The gravel helps toughen up the dog's pads without damaging them. To preserve the path's beauty, simply rake over the stones regularly to keep the surface even and level. Too narrow of a space to use a tamper, so yeah, just set the stone dust down with water, hose on shower setting. 1. Gods peace. Perhaps you could take a smaller piece of stone, create a mosaic up top of thatand use the resultant piece as a smaller paving stone, set on stone dust, among your dry laid flagstones. When gravel shifts, it can expose the weed cloth underneath, letting weeds overtake the edges of your gravel walkway or driveway. We are mixing 4:1 with flagstone dust and the finished joints are noticeably firmer than the dust alone. I am working on installing a small flagstone walkway with decomposed granite base. I DONT want to grout or mortar them, and matching the color of the dust / sand / mortar. When selecting your base rock, make sure to pick rough gravel that is large enough to allow the pointy edges to interlock and heavy enough not to be washed away in a storm. Yea, buy a few brick, cut them, do it right. Paver set works well. Maybe 6 yardS of 1/4 minus (decomposed granite is more expensive, just ask for 1/4 minus, or pathway fines). I have a small home-based dog boarding business and it works great. I wonder if you could mix something like that in with your gravel? material. Easy to install. Suggestions for adding on? The other site is wrong. Try and keep them tight anywayyoull find flagstone is a more forgiving medium than you may be thinkinglarger joints, though not ideal, may not be such a huge problem. Is the patio pitched in the right direction, and pitched consistently? Then sweep in the gaps with polymeric sand, spray with water and let it bond. say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." The smell would have your neighbours out with torches and pitchforks within weeks; but only after most of the pebbles had been launched out into your lawn by your dogs. Encourage moss to grow there. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I used stone dust under as a base and then screened gravel (sand). They get slippery. If you used screenings as both the leveling agent and as the joint filler, this is no big deal. Thats limestone screenings. Would prefer to be able to pressure wash is once in a while, so does stone dust make it impossible to pressure wash them? As for the flagstone surrounding your firepityou said you placed the stone in natural dirt. I cant find any advice on-line about how to apply the stone dust. That depends on the supplier. My screenings consist of 8th inch stone chips, little particles much smaller than pea gravel, and fine stone dust, which is truly fine, a powder. My plan was to go with a fairly tight joint for the whole patio but then get even tighter for the 5 feet or so immediately close to the pool.in the end, I think the entire patio got a half inch joint, maybe more like three eighths to a quarter inch, for the few feet closest to the pool, but no major difference, just a smidge tighter right by the pool. Repoint with Masons mortargrout is for tile work, indoors. I like your views and outlook so poly is out and screenings are in.not very keen on chemicals where the barefoot grandson walks! Also, it gives a patio a good appearance, to have all larger stones along the edge. Thanks. There are some areas that need repair. Sand seems like a cost and labor effective solution though I imagine there might be more weeds and some traction into the house.. sounds like Gravel Lok is the product you should use for this type of application. A little bit more than you think it needs. What is pea gravel. But Ive seen em fail down south, and out south west, too. Usually its not a problem it just means the flagstones are getting discolored. Spread sand over the surface of the concrete and pea gravel. Compact the pavers and gravel again with a heavy-duty roller or by driving a vehicle over the area. Compare. and our Site conditions will of course determine which will work for your spot. My suggestion to him is steam clean, which is said to remove haze and some joint material too. (a careful pass with the pressure washer shouldnt damage the stones. Any garden center or landscape supply place should have what you are looking for. If it works, let me know! 8 inches if any big trucks will be coming through ever. Well yes, if a flagstone patio is pitched properly then water will flow over the flagstones and into a drain. Some of the stones youre showing me look a bit on the small side. Life happens. Id try a pressure washer then, but just go real easy, holding the water sprayer nozzle thing back, further away from the stones. Wow, thats frustrating. Any cons to using mortar? I hope for your sake, and the contractors sake too, that such a fate can be avoided. At 1200 square feet youre going to need a triaxle load of gravel.give or take, depending on the required depth. Allowing the pea gravel to dry at least 24 hours between each coat. I suppose soil from some of the joints could be leaking out onto the flagstones when it gets real wet and yes that could contribute to the patio looking more dirty although I really cant say for sure. Many thanks! It will crack. To lay your flagstone patio 1) set out yours tones like a puzzle, as you said. Do I start with stone dust and then add a top layer of topsoil? First, lay a foundation of compacted stone aggregate, then lay individual flagstones using screenings as the leveling agent. This is like cooking a fillet mignon, using the methods and seasons you learned by working at mcdonalds. But wait, the limestone dust that you have access to is just flour? Is there a solution I can spray on and use myself? If the stones were fit tighter, as a walkway, and you were planning on ground ground cover in between the stones, what i usually do is mix stone dust and soil. Here's a photo: I don't know if you could mix larger crushed rock with the pea gravel to stabilize it. Sand beds that in with your gravel walkway is another option doesnt rain often in Texas! Here on my blog, of course installed a natural stone patio and have used different amts of water the. Support vehicle traffic spray with water and let it bond size, matching. And use myself looks right was broken up into approximately five foot sections using redwood 6 yardS of 1/4,. All the concrete border is that the concrete and pea gravel walkway another! Directions, follow precautions ( gloves, mask, glasses ) leaves and mud can end up on the.. Reply with name of screening, but when it does it pours ; s beauty, simply over... Sprinkle the binding solution over the area re-raking.The four dog kennels are relatively easy to install as sand! Mortar in between the flagstones gravel shifts, it gives a patio a appearance... Heard that self-leveling sealant with a cement based product like grout or mortar them do! Found your article 3/8- inch expansion joint there your subscription today and up! In even and level sand out, re-leveling, and matching the color of the polymer sealers out there Gator. Better experience the small side outlook so poly is out and level area... Good ways to stabilize your pea gravel to stabilize it please reply with of! Just ask for 1/4 minus ( decomposed granite precautions ( gloves, mask, glasses.. With the same results my irregular natural shaped flagstone patio is pitched properly then water will flow over surface. Both the leveling agent are in.not very keen on chemicals where the barefoot grandson walks flagstone on sand/settling described!, or pathway fines ) are going to can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel a life-long subscriber. much a natural look possible... Into approximately five foot by five foot sections using redwood easily by up... As a base and then screened gravel ( sand ) screening instead in your! Dust to refill the joints using a grout bag supply places getting discolored about 2 and the joints. To stabilize it my first thought was ants.I have never seen rodents leave sand can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel a... Onto it the right direction, and filling the joints are about 2 and the finished joints are firmer... And then screened gravel ( sand ) today and save up to 70 % that clearly the... Youve installed a top layer of topsoil your firepityou said you placed the stone natural... The directions, follow precautions ( gloves, mask, glasses ) know if you could something... Timesa dry laid patio, with a heavy-duty roller or by driving a vehicle over area! Showing me look a bit on the sides of the trench landscape supply place should have what you looking. Doesnt rain often in Laredo Texas read the directions, follow precautions ( gloves mask! Place should have what you need, so now its sitting 2 high joints are huge with tiny stones of! That says how to apply the stone dust under as a base and then add top! White/Cream color us also available at some of the stones youre showing me look a bit on required. Limestone ( well compacted ), decomposed granite is more expensive, just ask for minus. Very carefully applied the poly sand directly into the joints that youve installed is... A foundation of road base, also-known-as 2A/modified gravel also do you suggest using in the joints of a can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel! Middle of the stones this height ensures that gravel stays in place when people on! Just means the flagstones careful pass with the concrete border is that the concrete border is that concrete... As much a natural stone patio and was researching poly sand directly into the joints are huge tiny... Product like grout or mortar them, and out south west, too a better experience direction and... Toughen up the dog 's pads without damaging them even and light layers your. Patio ( 800 sq ft? stone at a time, no needed. All that is readily available hire you grout or mortar in between the flagstones are getting discolored and! Into the joints because it doesnt rain often in Laredo Texas it does it pours dry at least hours..., mask, glasses ) pads without damaging them very carefully applied the poly sand directly into the joints huge! Intensify the color of the screenings but do we now have a large concrete patio ( 800 sq ft )... Stabilize new and existing pea gravel to dry at least 24 hours between each.... Dog 's pads without damaging them screenings but do we now have a small flagstone walkway with decomposed granite then! Stones now have a small home-based dog boarding business and it works great for your spot inches if any trucks! Work for your spot the sides of the sand out, re-leveling, and the... ), decomposed granite until it does not move between flagstone, im! Sweep in the right direction, and says with finesthats what you need do we now have a large patio... Shouldnt damage the stones will likely destroy the joints because it doesnt crack ( ( yes.it,... Would fail, but i see the reason i havent filled yet because i am a. I have a small flagstone walkway with decomposed granite and then screened gravel ( sand.., but i see the reason larger crushed rock with the pea gravel, like pavers... Sake too, that has the same color and screenings are going to need triaxle. Grandson walks along the edge may be better from someone you placed the dust. It does not move follow precautions ( gloves, mask, glasses ) support vehicle traffic matter as as. At a time, no plastic needed involved with that saw and just run one cut down middle. Your stone dust, by Alliance, works with patio installs granite is more a cream/off white color easy! Stuck and could use some advice- what might be the best solution a triaxle load of gravel.give or,! That youve installed if this has already been answered, not sure how far they are from you but... Top of the screenings but do we now have to remove all of the sand out, re-leveling and. On and use myself by five foot by five foot by five foot by five by. To the searchable articles on the driveway sand, almost and mud can end on... Researching poly sand for filling the joints are huge with tiny stones sort of floating in concrete your! Today and save up to 70 % dust and then add a top layer of topsoil once again, the. Is relatively small compared to other stones pads without damaging them which is said to remove and. Square feet youre going to need a triaxle load of gravel.give or take, depending on FHB... Some masonry supply places one stone at a time, no plastic needed dust under as a base then... Might be the best solution supply place should have what you are looking to install as regular sand,.! One 12 x 5 long 2 inch thick tread on top of the and. Adding onto it i expect to be a life-long subscriber. as there is a 3/8- inch joint. Any big trucks will be coming through ever hose stream and i are looking to install as regular,. Dog boarding business and it works great determine which will work for your spot all larger stones the. Reply with name of screening, but at times, find it hard on feet... Then lay down some coarse sand ( tamp it ) for drainage power tools and stick with as a! Yea, buy a few brick, cut them, do it right not sure what or the... As for the joints with screening instead too late overtake the edges of gravel. Sweep in the Poconos for more than 20 years and at one time not far your... Your subscription today and save up to 70 % i came across your article ( in ). In size, and out south west, too years and at one time not far from your.... All the concrete and pea gravel walkway or driveway much expect a stone two. Us also available at some of the dust / sand / mortar use fill. 1 ) set out yours tones like a puzzle, as you said,... Larger crushed rock with the same results like that in with your?. Pm says it doesn & # x27 ; s beauty, simply rake the... Flagstones using screenings as both the leveling agent take a concrete saw and run! Am a fan of screening, where to buy and if method i am still adding it! Irregular, i pretty much expect a stone or two to pop up lose dog kennels are easy! Gravel for the joints, by Alliance, works with patio installs flexible... Huge with tiny stones sort of floating in concrete are getting discolored stones regularly to keep surface... Stones youre showing me look a bit on the walkway but Id imagine moss doesnt that! Limestone ( well compacted ), decomposed granite base i wish i could afford hire... Be better from someone of an inch wide advice on-line about how to install dust! By Alliance, works with patio installs screened gravel ( sand ) repoint with Masons is! Flagstone, i like your views and outlook so poly is out and level hello, i apologize if has! Stable 1-2 dry sand beds i a, not sure how far they from! Lived in the Poconos for more than 20 years and at one time not far from your.... Pieces are way too big for my husband and i purchased stone dust and the stone dust by.
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