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There 3 common ways to install
Flagstone... over concrete, commonly called “wet-set”, over a
packed base material, and directly on the ground. |
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Wet Set |
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For a wet set application, the concrete base needs
to be in place, and you apply stone using an exterior thinset
material, or a mortar with polymer added to repel water, add
flexibility, and achieve superior bonding. Make sure that you follow
the control joints that are in the concrete with joints in your
stone. This method is usually reserved for the professionals! |
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Over a Packed Base |
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To install over a packed base material, the prep
work is the most important part of your walkway or patio. First,
excavate approx 6” of soil from the area that you are going to apply
the stone. Install approx. 5” of crushed Limestone, or a Class 5
gravel, level it off, or screed it to your preferred slope, and tamp
with a vibrating tamper. If it is a smaller area, you can also use a
8” or 12” sq hand tamper. This provides a stable and sturdy base
for your stone. The next step is to install 1 inch of sand. The
best method for this is to get some proper lengths of 1” diameter
pipe, pvc or metal, and lay it in parallel to each other, then dump
the sand over the area, using the pipes as screed planes. This will
produce a consistent thickness of sand. Now you are ready to place
the Flagstone. Most folks will want consistent joint widths, so you
will usually need chisels and a saw or grinder to cut the stones to
fit. Once the stones are laid as desired, use a dead blow hammer to
tamp the stones so that they are solidly set into the sand.
Sometimes there is clefting on the stones that will either have to
be removed, or sand will have to be added or removed to accommodate
the difference in thicknesses of stone. A thicker stone will need
less sand under it, and a thinner stone will need more sand under it
to make the tops of the stone level. Once you have the stones in
place and secure, sweep the excess sand from between the stone, and
make sure the stones are dry. Sweep in the “Gator Dust”. This is a
sand either Gray or Tan, that has a polymer added to it. Make sure
you sweep all of the excess Gator Dust off of the stone, and full
the joints. Apply a “rain” or mist of water, allowing water to fall
onto the entire patio. Make sure you don’t spray directly onto the
joints, because this will allow the polymer sand to get sprayed out
of the joints and onto the surface of the stones. This is a bonding
type of sand, and it will stick to the stones surface if allowed to
dry. It will not come off very easy. Allow it to dry for about 3
days, and you will have a patio that is very solid, almost like
concrete! The polymer that is in the sand binds the stones
together, yet stays flexible to allow for frost heaves in the
winter. If more sand is needed, it can be added anytime later, and
it will bond together. |
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Directly Applied Stones |
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This application is the simplest way to achieve a walkway with
minimal prep. It can be installed either before grass is growing,
or over an existing lawn. Simply lay the stone where you want it,
use a spade to trace around it, then dig the sod out the same
thickness of the stone. Sometimes a small amount of sand can be laid
onto the ground so you can make it a solid seat. Once this stone is
set, its done! Place the next stone in the desired location, and
repeat for each stone. Then you can plant grass around and between,
or if you have grass there already, the walkway or path looks like
it has been there for years! This application is also nice because
you can mow right over the stone, since the top of the stone is
level with the ground! |
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For more information about any of
our products call us at: |
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Phone: 218-525-6360
~ Fax:
218-525-6361 |
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E-mail us at:
info@greatlakesstone.com |
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Great Lakes
Stone Supply Inc. ~ 5156 Rice Lake Road
~
Duluth, MN 55803 |
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