DIY - Step-by-step Instructions:

Laying a Patio

Any job worth doing is worth doing right so what follows is our recommendations for building your Patio.

Tools

Spade, Shovel, Spirit level, String Line, Tape Measure, Pointing Trowel (or Hose Pipe cut off), Brush, Wheelbarrow, Rubber Mallet.

Materials Required

Scalping, Grit Sand, Building Sand, Cement.

Step 1: Preparation

This is the most important part of laying a Patio as the preparation will make the laying far easier than if you make shortcuts and will leave you with a Patio that will last you many years.

The finished height of your patio needs to be 150mm below the damp coarse level of your property, therefore you need to dig out a further 150mm from finish height to incorporate the foundation of Scalping (hardcore) at 50mm compacted depth. A further 50mm thick bed of Mortar to lay the Paving on and the Paving thickness itself.

Having dug out the area you wish to Pave, (and assuming you have already purchased and received your Paving) lay out your patio (dry lay) to make sure you are happy with the pattern and to double check the size of the finished area. Take into consideration the width of the joints that you would like, this is down to personal preference but can be governed by the product purchased. Some products have a more angled edge and increase the width of the joint. In general joints will vary between 10 & 25mm.

Having established that you have dug out a suitable amount and that your patio is going to fit, you are ready to put in your base foundation.

Ensure that water cannot hold on the patio or anywhere near buildings by allowing a fall away to a convenient place. The suggested rate of fall needs to be a minimum of 10mm over 1 metre. Use your String Line and Spirit Level to attain this. For more information on drainage and requirements please use this link to an independent Hard Paving adviser www.pavingexpert.com.

Cover the entire area with Scalping and compact with Vibrating Whacker Plate, which is available to hire from local plant hire firms, we recommend Brandon Tool Hire (Tel: 01722 335959). Compact the area until firm underfoot now you are ready to begin laying.

Step 2: Screed

With Grit Sand and Cement mix a Screed consisting of 4 parts Grit Sand 2 parts Building sand 1 Part Cement semi dry. Don’t cover the whole area in the screed straight away just cover a small section at a time. Level the screed off with a piece of straight timber, remember to allow for the thickness of the paving stones on the Screed bed.

Step 3: Laying

Lay the first paving stone in the corner of the area to be paved on a full bed of screed. Tap down the centre of the stone to the required height with a rubber mallet. Make sure the paving is falling in the right direction and is consistent with a Spirit Level. Continue with the above process ensuring the joints are evenly spaced and that each stone is consistent.

Step 4: Pointing

Once all your stones are laid, point all the joints using a semi-dry mortar mix consisting of 3 parts Building Sand 1 part Cement. Pointing ensures no water gets under the stones, which if it freezes will make the stone unstable.