Laying Paving Slabs

Planning

Decide upon your StoneFlair Paving and the number of sizes you require commensurate with your preferred laying pattern. Draw a scale plan on graph paper, outlining house, garden and the intended paved area and where possible adjust any perimeter edges to suit paving sizes to avoid unnecessary cutting. In differing colours per size draw in each slab to act as an ordering and laying guide. Arrange for all your paving requirements to be delivered before the onset of the project and stack nearby on a dry base.

Site Preparation

All paving should be laid on a firm, level and well-drained base to ensure long term service and stability - getting the ground work right is essential. Vegetation and top soil should be removed to an approximate depth of 200mm across the area to be paved. Mark out this area with pegs or retaining boards and adjust their height to the required finished surface levels, ensuring that you allow a fall of 1:60 away from any buildings and walls for surface drainage. Also make sure that the finished paving surface level is at least 150mm (two brick courses) below the level of any damp proof course.

After excavation, rake level to ensure an even depth and compact the whole area using a garden roller or tamper. Then lay at least a 75mm deep sub-base of crushed stone or hardcore and compact well (your local stockist will be able to advise you on a suitable material). If there are voids after compacting the sub-base, rake in sand and compact again. Spread a layer of sharp sand across the sub-base, to a compacted depth of 35mm.

Laying

It is always preferable to start with full flags laid adjacent to a fixed point such as the house or boundary wall and to work towards an edge which may be adjustable. Alternatively start from a corner on the longest straight edge. If you are laying more than one size of paving, particularly if in a random pattern, or if you are laying a circle or other feature, it is recommended that you dry lay the flags first to check the fit and make sure you are happy with the pattern. For greatest stability the paving should be laid on a full mortar bed, using a wet mortar mix of 5 parts building sand to 1 part cement. This is essential if you are using one of the Purestone natural stone paving products.

We advise that you take the paving from a number of open packs at once, even if you are just using one size, to ensure a consistent appearance to the finished patio.

Tap each paving stone down to the required level, keeping a piece of softwood between the hammer / mallet and flag (alternatively use a rubber mallet). Continually check levels and falls during the laying process across the top surface profile of a number of flags at a time. It is important to ensure correct spacing between the flags, although please note that for random patterns the joint widths can vary.

Pointing

Pointing can be completed as laying work progresses by "buttering" the sides of previously laid flags with mortar, and then smoothing or raking out the joints later when the mortar has started to set. Alternatively, the gaps may be pointed once laying is complete and the mortar is set using a semi-dry mortar mix of 6 parts building sand to 1 part cement. Take care not to stain the paving surface; any spillage should be removed immediately using a damp cloth or sponge. Do not attempt to brush the pointing mix across the surfaces of the flags as any cement left on the flag will result in unsightly staining.

A full mortar joint is recommended to ensure maximum surface water drainage and all joints should be smoothed or raked out using a suitable rounded piece of wood, a piece of pipe or a specialist pointing tool.

StoneFlair's reconstituted flag paving is suitable for domestic garden use only. It is not suitable for driveways or heavy traffic.

For driveways any of StoneFlair’s Domestic Block Paving, Purestone Paving or Stone Setts (i.e. Sandstone or Granite) may be used providing they are laid on a suitable sub base.