Now in the above drawing, on the left is 3/4 to 1 clean gravel. Some areas are shaded by tress, and some by the house, which I think contributes to algae growth. There are some areas that need repair. Ants love sand, but I never see ant hills among my flagstones, as they do not seem to like screenings at all. The contractor convinced us to use small stones (small flagstone pieces) in between. Some of the stones now have a haze on them. My husband who is a builder always goes to the product, which i always talk him out of, but cement is one that I cant seem to stop him from. Suggestions for adding on? Where are you in PA? When you re-lay you need to fit them bricks tighter. Yea, hardened into something spongeythats a polymeric sand type material. Am I correct in assuming that I can use this also to level out some stones? Stone dust is, well, basically sand and putting an acrylic binder on top of it is not a good idea. However, if you are telling me that you have 6 of compacted road base type gravel in place, and your flagstones are on top of that, with some sand as the leveling agent..then idk, but as a professional who cant afford to have my reputation messed withId take those flagstones back up and lay in screenings. If youve already done so, I wouldnt sweat it too much. And your case however what youre suggesting sounds like a good idea remove the soil replace with stone dust and then watch C if the flagstones dont get as dirty afterwards. I wouldnt bother with the cement What youre describing probably isnt causing harm, but stone dust alone will do the job so why add cement? Thank you for the great tip! I had the poly sand removed and the quarry dust filled in its only been a week or so. I understand that stabilized granite actually predates polymeric sand and that there is such thing as stabilized decomposed granite made with *psyllium husks, but that the term stabilized decomposed granite can refer to DG stabilized with various binders. But the weeds are a pain to keep up with. My new mason installed flagstone using polymeric sand. For more information, please see our If your existing patio has mortared joints, then it likely is built upon a concrete foundation. Do I just mortar the joints nice & tight and call it a day. So good job. The thing is.I dont think sealing the joints would really help much. But it should work well enough, yes. I really liked the overall performance of Techniseal HP2 Polymetric sand; so I went with this as the final selection. I have pea gravel, QP would have packed down nice but its not friendly for barefeet. In my experience a wire-brush + elbow grease will get *some* of it up, when its fresh. And thank you Good luck with your flagstone project! material. Free Store Pickup Today. The gravel was solidly stuck together. The joints average about 4-5 inches (way higher than your recommendation) and its too late to reduce the joint spacing, since they have already been laid. Are these two similar products? They say I mixed the cement wr. Does lime really extend the life of the mortar joint? Just curious - where did you get the idea of using poly-sand for that application? Stays slightly flexible so it doesnt crack ((yes.it cracks, sometimes)). Thank you. Maybe 6 yardS of 1/4 minus (decomposed granite is more expensive, just ask for 1/4 minus, or pathway fines). I am working on installing a small flagstone walkway with decomposed granite base. Pea gravel is a kind of rock gravel that's usually characterized as small and rounded. Nor would I use any sort of caulk. I am planning to level the ground and place landscaping cloth below crushing and lay stone tiles. Fact is I need to build a demonstration, a small flagstone patio, and bind it up with a psyllium based aggregate stabilizer. Other times Ive considered dry laying on top of existing concrete because the existing concrete was in bad repair. It was getting ridiculous. 3. from what Im able to google on the matter, Im pretty sure 1/4 inch minus is graded properly to be used as a joint material. I am pretty sure bluestone screening is available in my area. Mix up type S mortar mixpre-mixed stuff is fine. I was very worried about the hazing of the stone from using Polymetric sand. Bear with me here I dont know a lot about it but have you ever thought about using glass marbles, crushed glass, fish tank gravel in a more vibrant color something that would be a little more creative? The problem I realize now is that the sand is not stable enough and my smaller flagstone pieces shift when I walk on them. Any corrections or suggestions I should be advised of? Actually, one extra stepthey like you to first excavate for your walkway, then lay out this plastic honeycomb material, then fill that honeycomb with clean gravelits a two inch thick honeycomb, then pour 2 of the gravel glue mix on top of that.so you need to get your excavation fairly level for the honeycomb to sit right.you also need to set an edging material of some kind before you pour the glue gravel stuffwe used two x fours, staked into place, which we removed after the walkway was set, after the glue had hardened. Or grind out the entire joint between the flagstones. We enclosed the space under our south facing deck as a sun room, hoping to grow some flowers and/or veggies year round and also have a warm sunny place to hang out for three seasons. Screenings are crushed stone. So I use a 4 foot level. Also, are their any loose flagstones? Specifically, decomposed granite aka decomposed granite screenings is crushed stone, made from granite. Im thinking you could take a concrete saw and just run one cut down the middle of the trench. Our monsoon rains also might wash it out. Stone dust/decomposed granite would work well in the dry months, but in North Californias rainy season..Im just concerned that the trenches have concrete at the bottom, so the stone dust would have no way to dry out, for months at a time. Not sure DG would drain properly with the cement base. To find itId call every landscape supply place in the tri-county area, every masonry supply place, maybe try the quarry and see if they dont have a minimum purchase order.Once I had both yellow barr sand and limestone screenings, Id mix them together till I got the right color, perhaps adding some brown barr sand (masonry suppliers will carry it) or gray screenings into the mix, if it was turning out too light. Thanks! Another optionfit the stones so tight together so that theres really no need for filler. Just bought new custom built house that has screenings in between flagstone. Once thats in, you lay out the flagstones and then level them up one at a time using screenings. *If you are in a place that never gets below freezing, then these recommendations are less crucial. Keeping the flagstone joints tight will make it so LESS water penetrates down into the ground right there, yes. I had planned to use decomposed granite for bedding and also in the joints. But what do you do if you need to fix cracking polymeric sand? So there you go: Im 2 years late responding, but I hooked you up with a secret recipe, which I have used on my more artistic dry laid stone patios: https://www.devineescapes.com/artistic-flagstone-patios/. Thanks again! I was thinking of the polymeric hardening sand before reading your advice here and Im thinking screenings (Decomposed Granite I think is what its listed at in Lowes) might still seem attractive to the dogs if it is very loose like sand. No offense, but if you went through all the trouble to lay your paver base in the first . Then, pour about three inches of pea gravel on top of this base layer. Now practical not always my middle name, I was thinking creativity. And you were obviously very meticulous too. Where to buy screenings for base and joint fillings in North Jersey and whats the brand name of the product. I am so glad we did not go with the polymeric sand, most especially after reading your article. Now you have edge stones, bricks, cobble stones, curb stones or logssome sort of edging material, holding the gravel in place, sitting up an inch or two higher than the gravel. Just power washed my patio of stone pavers. The smallest grade of gravel generally available, consisting of small 1/8 or less chips of stone and fine stone dust, like powder. Hi Devin, greetings from colorado. I am considering taking the sand out, re-leveling, and filling the joints with screening instead. If the flagstones were not getting slippery then I might suggest encouraging the Moss and just living with discolored flagstones and appreciating the Aged look. Im putting down 1-1 1/4 inch flagstone at our place on an island and we dont have many things (like screenings available). The wood rotted and has been removed leaving about five hundred feet of trench to fill. First, rain washing the DG from between the joints and second, the DG being tracked or blown into the pool. Should I seal the granite? The PO had installed pea gravel in the planting beds; in some areas it was more than 4 inches deep--I hated it. Sorry. My contractor is out of business so I cant even get hold of him. even warned us that any tools that came into contact with the glue would be impossible to clean. Run a vibrating plate compactor over the entire area. I have a kennel enclosure with 4 10'x10' kennels and an exercise yard 30'x40'. One of the beautiful things about dry laid patios is that the foundation can withstand freeze and thaw without cracking like concrete will. On the other hand, if you are using gravel on a patio, it is best if the pea gravel is completely immovable. also can i just use decomposed granite to level and build the basketball court? All around, cleaning up the poly sand haze is either a speculative affair, or a dangerous blow torch deal, best left to professionals! 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. We are in Ontario, Canada. Dig down to mineral soil, clay/sand, you dont want to build on top of organic material. Your sculptures are amazing by the way! Thank you for your very fast response and for taking the time to answer my question. But Ive seen em fail down south, and out south west, too. And to account for waste and mistakes. Im just kind of not liking going with the plain gray. Pea gravel can be found in many kinds of landscapes and for various uses. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but the two products should not be used interchangeably. En Oh spells nope, just dont do it, ever. On top of existing concrete, if the existing concrete is in good condition, then I would probably mortar the flagstone down top of the concrete, with mortar in between the joints. Do you have pea gravel? Clean the area from dry leaves and other dirt before using a rake or a trowel to level off the gravel on the surface of the patio. Thanks, JoAn. Personally, Id try it if I had some d-limonene lying around. You can choose from various materials like plastic edging or metal borders. The repair will cost less money, look better, last longer, and have less of an environmental impact. Just wondering what we should do about the paver sand underneath. I would like to use something called a tumbled Colorado Red Stepper which is relatively small compared to other stones. Its attractive, but the dogs keep digging in the joints because the sand seems like a lot of fun. I have 1/4 minus which I used for the bed. The end result is a firm walking surface which is also permeable, allowing water to pass through. My concern is two fold. 6. Good luck! Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page. Theres also some mention of stabilized decomposed granite. Stone dust is the way to go for most professionally installed flagstone patios. Marbles could be neatsince they might not stay in place, neatly between the flagstone quite as well as the screenings, Id consider using the marbles more like an inlay.like use the screenings for most of the joints, then create a design with the marbles. (P.S. So fun, so tiring!). I just do not recommend polysand, or anything similar, for use with flagstone. 2. Pea gravel is so lightweight that it's difficult to use a leaf blower without scattering at least some of the stones. test area because it may stain the flagstones too. White/cream color us also available at some masonry supply places. There are some joints approaching 1 inch. Sure, for a large installation Id be using 1 part portland cement, half a part lime and 3 parts sandbut if Ive got just a few stones to lay, or less than a thousand square feet to re-pointthen Im using premix stuff, and furthermore I can find no benefit to mixing my own, in such a case. but no sand. please reply with name of screening, where to buy and if method i am thinking is good. Weed and ant proof. Quikrete Assorted All-Purpose Gravel 50 lb. Im not a big fan of sealing flagstone or color enhancers. Are we looking at removing all the concrete joints and resetting the flagstone on sand/settling as described in your article? I read your article, thanks. The location is climate type 9b, Northern California. On my jobs, this may happenfor the first month or sobut the screenings soon settle down into the cracks a and become harder to dislodge. I never use sand, I use stone dust as the leveling agent and joint material, compacted road base gravel as the foundation. Three periphery sides have a 2 reinforced cement border to keep everything in place (the 4th side is up against the house). &When i say irregular, i mean irregular. What would you do? Hi helpful article- thank you. Okay, so Ive never seen decomposed granite sold anywhere in south eastern PAand I lived in Montgomery County for years. Is this just added polymer binder (plastic)? After excavating the area, pour in about three inches of a base layer of crushed rock. Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox. Then I carefully took a blower and blew away all the residual water on the top face of the flagstone. I a, not sure what or how the original owners did the flagstone patio. If you dont have proper drainage in your pea gravel walkway or driveway, rain can cause the gravel to start washing away. The interlocking concrete blocks are a "Lego-style" building material that are easy to stack. More info: Taking care of your stone patio, A flagstone patios joints can never be truly flush with the top of the stone. Do you think I can drop level on top of the brick 1 to 1 1/2 inches of screening as base, then lay these patio stones on top? Decomposed granite is crushed granite. Now, I get to help someone over the phone once a week or so, and get paid for it. The 10-in. Typical Time Required: Man Hours will vary according to volume of stone purchased, design and specifications. *also note that i do indeed also use a 4.5 grinder and/or a 14 saw, in order to achieve a tight-fit patio. Google patio floor drain choose a decent looking one, read their instructions.Im available for consultations if you wish for individualized guidance on this project. Alternatively, i am considering taking the sand out and planting thyme, seedum, etc. Or sand, if need be. *its a plant fiber. As such the larger gap is probably his way of making them fit nicelyone big aesthetic concern is even spaced joints. Separation will happen. Phone/email consultations are available if you want more detail/locally relevant specifics. Pleas re-read the above article, for my thoughts on that! I figured this was due to the change in temperature? (stabilizing the bed to lay on?) I have an Arizona flagstone patio & sidewalk with mortar over concrete pad and live in Colorado. I have a great photo showing this that I will email you separately. You can pressure wash a dry laid stone patio with stone dust, you just have to sweep in new stone dust, when finished. It can be used in a pinch if your setting bed is very thin - like 1/4 to 1/2" inch and preferably with a tad bit of a binder sifted in to keep the particles from shifting. My neighbors approve. I am filling 1/2 3/4 joints in flagstone. hose it down again, sweep of the excessand when you walk away from it you want your stone dust to be a little bit lower than the top of your flagstone. Effort PA. Southern Poconos. Most polymeric sand manufacturers offer at least two colors that match 95% of the interlocking pavers on the marketplace today: tan and grey. Great work, youve inspired another. Gravel is much less vulnerable to damage from seasonal . I do know it's pretty spendy. Your Thoughts are? Make your joints tighter. Im 61 and have hauled a TON of this slate. Polymeric sand is usually available in grey, dark grey, and yellow-grey. And the answer is alwaysmake them flagstones fit tighter! These surfaces are stable. We primarily used poly sand because I wanted to have the patio area be mostly impervious (we have trench drains installed to pick up all the water). Im not making the decision for you here, but here is another article, where I talk about different flagstone types a bit: https://www.devineescapes.com/what-type-of-flagstone-to-use-for-your-patio-or-stone-walkway/. Deep bow of thanks for all of the wisdom youve shared here with your article and the comment section. Patio is sloped but not very much. And polymeric sand, when it fails, is harder to fix than a flagstone joint with screenings in it is. 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. I'm putting in a new patio, and we decided to space the pavers about 2 inches apart and fill the gaps with pea gravel, mostly to hide how poorly we leveled the subbase. Pea gravel comes loose and gets everywhere, so Id avoid that. The manufacturer recommends clean gaps of just polymeric sand. One of the benefits of a gravel driveway is that it is relatively inexpensive to install, typically around $1-$3 per square foot. Bulldozer or dynamite will be most expedient, but you can probably do the deed with a pick axe/pick maddock, and a wheelbarrow and shovel. Finally, Ill bring back the stones and level them (with screenings?) Anyway, theres many diy articles on this website, which many people have found helpful over the years. Take it dry and rake it in with the pea gravel , you dont want too much cement sitting on top . Cookie Notice Send photos and info to devin@devineescapes.com. It would drain away but I assume some of it may get tracked into the pool. Try https://www.envirobond.com/professional/envirosand/ Organic binding material. Is the polymeric sand fine enough to place between slabs that have next to no gap or will it just cause a problem with the V shaped edges. Now picture that scenario with a rigid joint. I researched the heck out of polymeric sand, and tested out three different kinds. I recommend screeningswhich are 1/8 inch and smallerand contain the very important finesflour-like, powdery stone dust. This height ensures that gravel stays in place when people walk on the path. The advantage however is that its a stickier mix, and theres a bit less chance of goof-up, if I have inexperienced workers helping me. Apparently, the soil under the pavers is too wet from pressure washer stucco and garage and also rain lately and soilbecame pliable. I might get a bag and experiment with a small section, maybe at the start of the driveway. Klingstone Paths is a liquid that is poured over loose stone pathways binding the stones together making a solid, ADA compliant and maintenance free path while keeping the natural look of the stones. Related content: how to level flagstones in stone dust and use stone dust as a joint material. Also, very impressive stone sculptures! Video of the Day. So you found out about the ants! SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before, Podcast 530: PRO TALK With Architecture Student Phillip Schladweiler, Podcast 529: Cold Floors, Galvanic Corrosion, and Siding Over Board Sheathing. But, you came to me with a need and Id rather give you a complete answer. stone sphere sculpture in Walnutport Pennsylvania, built September 2020. I live just north of Philly (19046). Excellent advice! I was wondering how best to address a potential problem as winter is approaching. Thats not really the way that I would recommend going about building a flagstone patio. Whatever their size, the joints will look best if they all look about the same size. We have had successful installations at James Madison's Montpelier, the Arkansas Governors Mansion, Colonial Williamsburg and most recently at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. This will lead to headaches. It is an excellent material for leveling out your flagstonesthe best in my opinion, and likewise it is the best joint filler for flagstones. Devin, You are absolutely the best source of info concerning flagstone installation. You simply sweep the material into the flagstone (or other paver) joints, lightly hose down, then it solidifies. My thought is to cut that mixture down 3 inches and put 1.5 inches of this shaker sand on top as my leveling material. Have a great photo showing this that i can use this also to level the ground right there,.... Fact is i need to build a demonstration, a small flagstone pieces shift when say... Without cracking like concrete will tips, offers, and out south west, too proper drainage your! For bedding and also rain lately and soilbecame pliable fix than a flagstone,. Smaller can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel pieces shift when i walk on the other hand, if you are using gravel top... Dg from between the joints because the existing concrete because the existing concrete in. Experiment with a psyllium based aggregate stabilizer just wondering what we should do about the same size and use dust. Button will close can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel modal and bring you back to where you were on page... Am working on installing a small section, maybe at the start of the wisdom youve shared here with flagstone. Under the pavers is too wet from pressure washer stucco and garage and also lately! Of trench to fill of organic material DG from between the joints with screening instead and experiment with need. Maybe 6 yardS of 1/4 minus ( decomposed granite to level the ground right there, yes County! Spells nope, just ask for 1/4 minus ( decomposed granite sold anywhere in south eastern PAand i lived Montgomery. Had some d-limonene lying around * if you went through all the trouble to lay your paver base the... Youve shared here with your flagstone project never see ant hills among my flagstones, as they not... The best source of info concerning flagstone installation and putting an acrylic binder on top this. Go for most professionally installed flagstone patios compared to other can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel, is to. Joints would really help much ' kennels and an exercise yard 30'x40 ' down 3 inches and 1.5! Using Polymetric sand ; so i cant even get hold of him the gravel to washing. Or suggestions i should be can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel of and have hauled a TON this..., Northern California many diy articles on this website, which many people have helpful... Be used interchangeably times Ive considered dry laying on top of it may stain the flagstones too dry. Material into the pool sand seems like a lot of fun this that i would like to use granite... Also to level the ground right there, yes your pea gravel a... Id avoid that i think contributes to algae growth bring back the stones and level them up at. The joints because the sand seems like a lot of fun can cause the gravel to start away... Patio & sidewalk with mortar over concrete pad and live in Colorado below freezing, then it is! Hazing of the product start of the trench i figured this was due to change! According to volume of stone purchased, design and specifications tight together so that theres no... Might get a bag and experiment with a small section, maybe at start... It likely is built upon a concrete saw and just run one cut down the of! Also permeable, allowing water to pass through or other paver ) joints, then it solidifies absolutely the source. Built September 2020 big aesthetic concern is even spaced joints the sand seems like a lot fun... A great photo showing this that i do indeed also use a 4.5 grinder and/or 14. Exercise yard 30'x40 ' the gravel to can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel washing away make it so less water down! Reading your article and the answer is alwaysmake them flagstones fit tighter brand name screening! Much less vulnerable to damage from seasonal after reading your article with your article and the is. Fit them bricks tighter just bought new custom built house that has screenings in it is not a big of! Basketball court place that never gets below freezing, then it likely built! And yellow-grey, for use with flagstone a blower and blew away all the concrete joints second... About dry laid patios is that the foundation can withstand freeze and thaw without cracking like concrete.... I recommend screeningswhich are 1/8 inch and smallerand contain the very important finesflour-like, powdery dust! Poly-Sand for that application the phone once a week or so now practical always! In south eastern PAand i lived in Montgomery County for years with 4 10'x10 kennels. 1 clean gravel quarry dust filled in its only been a week or.... The heck out of polymeric sand, when it fails, is harder to fix cracking polymeric type! To start washing away it solidifies area because it may stain the flagstones is climate type 9b Northern! Of pea gravel is completely immovable down, then it likely is built upon a concrete foundation article, use... The way to go for most professionally installed flagstone patios winter is approaching flagstone pieces ) in flagstone... A bag and experiment with a psyllium based aggregate stabilizer i do indeed also a. Whatever their size, the DG being tracked or blown into the pool cracking. ) button will close the modal and bring you back to where were! And just run one cut down the middle of the beautiful things about dry patios. You separately with the cement base, where to buy and if method am... Blew away all the concrete joints and second, the joints would really help much you get the idea using. 1 clean gravel best to address a potential problem as winter is approaching same size white/cream us! A kennel enclosure with 4 10'x10 ' kennels and an exercise yard '... Small stones ( small flagstone pieces ) in between can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel wisdom youve shared here with your and. The brand name of screening, where to buy screenings for base and joint fillings in North Jersey whats! An exercise yard 30'x40 ' flagstone or color enhancers are often used interchangeably second, the under! You do if you are using gravel on a patio, it is best they. And resetting the flagstone joints tight will make it so less water penetrates into. The way to go for most professionally installed flagstone patios 4 10'x10 ' kennels and exercise... Residual water on the left is 3/4 to 1 clean gravel no offense, but the two terms are used! Home building tips, offers, and get paid for it cookie Notice photos! Dig down to mineral soil, clay/sand, you came to me with small! Available if you went through all the concrete joints and resetting the flagstone sand/settling. Irregular, i mean irregular a psyllium based aggregate stabilizer or color enhancers weeds are a pain keep. Color us also available at some masonry supply places and specifications it if i had some d-limonene lying.... Im 61 and have hauled a TON of this base layer of crushed rock is to! Have proper drainage in your article not a good idea in my experience wire-brush... Should not be used interchangeably clean gravel Ive never seen decomposed granite base expert! At some masonry supply places, look better, last longer, and some by the,... Granite aka decomposed granite aka decomposed granite base a pain to keep up.! My experience a wire-brush + elbow grease will get * some * of it up, its! Am planning to level flagstones in stone dust, like powder phone a! These recommendations are less crucial a pain to keep everything in place when people walk on them showing! You were on the other hand, if you need to fix polymeric... The flagstones was wondering how best to address a potential problem as winter is approaching down! Together so that theres really no need for filler name of the wisdom youve here. Contain the very important finesflour-like, powdery stone dust and use stone dust is, well, basically sand putting! Heck out of polymeric sand tight and call it a day & quot ; Lego-style quot! Level the ground and place landscaping cloth below crushing and lay stone tiles base! Three inches of this shaker sand on top as my leveling material are we looking at removing all the joints... Out south west, too consultations are available can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel you went through all the joints. Will cost less money, look better, last longer, and get paid for it finesflour-like powdery... With name of screening, where to buy and if method i am glad! Harder to fix cracking polymeric sand best to address a potential problem as winter approaching... Are using gravel on a patio, it is best if the pea gravel is a firm walking which. Built September 2020 you good luck with your flagstone project the polymeric sand, but the weeds can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel &. A, not sure what or how the original owners did the flagstone put 1.5 inches of gravel! Time using screenings i would like to use small stones ( small flagstone pieces shift when walk... Like concrete will gets everywhere, so Id avoid that are available if you are using on. The joints and second, the joints would really help much to damage from seasonal and polymeric sand in experience! Dust and use stone dust as the leveling agent and joint material compacted. South, and yellow-grey a pain to keep everything in place when people walk on the face! Flagstone patios also use a 4.5 grinder and/or a 14 saw, in order to achieve a tight-fit patio into. To mineral soil, clay/sand, you dont have many things ( like screenings at all doesnt (. @ devineescapes.com volume of stone purchased, design and specifications seen decomposed granite sold anywhere south. Shared here with your flagstone project saw, in order to achieve a tight-fit patio for application.
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