At this point, if the power washer isnt removing the mortar haze, then you could hit it with muriatic acid. For more information, please see our Perhaps they can offer some ideas. I think that any crushed stone with a good variety of sizes would work. Small voids may be left underneath your paving unitsespecially if you are using irregular natural stone. Use a broom to fill gaps. Bagged stuff, like youd add to mortar? Scrub with the broom a bitthen hose off. Id prefer to NOT use itbut, i also dont want my son dragging infinesin his shoes and adding more character to our inside floors.So, if i go Screenings insteadplease let me know if you feel this is a good materials plan: 225sq.ft @ 4 fines/3/4 gravel base= 5.5 tons of fines/gravel base (Then, if i have stones from 3/4 2 thick variancehow much do you recommend in screenings for 225 sq.ft?I appreciate all your insight and feedback. Calcium chloride or other salt substitute should be fine, but salt will deteriorate mortar. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Yes, whenever you grind out mortar joints between flagstone, I pretty much expect a stone or two to pop up lose. And be sure to not overfill your jointsthe stone dust/DG should be a bit shy of the tops of your flagstones. What I do, is I add just enough water to my mortar so that it will bind together, when pushed down on, with a trowel: https://www.devineescapes.com/flagstone-walkway-re-pointing-repair-paoli/. What Is The Least Expensive Patio Material. Where are you in PA? The smaller stones seem to have the problem of being dislodged and end up on the flagstone ouch. The real big problem however here is that it tightens up the joints. The more activity that occurs on top of the gravel, the more likely it will become displaced when someone walks on it. These stones will reduce the amount of traffic on the actual pea gravel. The reason for a well compacted foundation of road base or something similar is thisroad base can be compacted and yet remains well draining. And here is how I repair mortared joints. 2 inch joints however, are acceptable, for dry laid flagstone with stone dust joints. If it works, let me know! I think you use what you have available. If not then feel free to contact me via emailI know a guy who is awesome at this type of work! Its liquid plastic, alright. The steps are currently on cinderblocks. It did say that clean up was with ammonia, so isit stray cat proof? Should we scrape all screening, organic material and weeds? Is this a different product or same thing but a different name? Pea gravel is so lightweight that it's difficult to use a leaf blower without scattering at least some of the stones. Some are 10 years with no problems. Before the coat is dry, apply sand over the binding solution. Most of my jobs are in Pennsylvania. Is that just the nature of stone dust? I dont want to discourage you, and I totally think you can do this. Or am I better of using top soil? Definitely not solid after days in some areas to wks. Each stone has been set and packed by hand (earth first packed by hammer, then stones packed with wood and hammer, sometimes jumping). say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." Stick to plain stone dust is my advice, and keep the joints tight! Ive been researching decomposed granite and want to use that but cannot find a place to buy it. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. If things settle down I sure will try something fun! The best way to predict your future is to create it. 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. Is it well compacted? You may also want to rerake and level the stones that are on the walkway every 2-3 . Any suggestions? Finished with polymeric sand. Id suggest just using a few handfuls of gravel, river pebbles, whatever, a material too large to simply wash out. Now what? The next step is to install the base. It's been over 5 years, and still doing good, although I've had to add a few bags of mulch here and there. I also have a pea gravel area (about 20X20') that I want to stabilize. What do you think? Is the patio pitched in the right direction, and pitched consistently? Some people try and solve this problem with plastic edging. I love the look of pea gravel, but it sure doesn't handle traffic well. 1. plastic grid tiles. Cobblestones were probably laid on a bed of sand on top of that concrete, so it might be best to lift the cobbles, re-lay on stone dust, fit em tighter, fill gaps with stone dust. 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. A metal edging or pt lumber border will look better than a plastic border.stone can be used. Push down on on the corners of a stoneif the stone goes down, then that corner needs to be lifted and a handful of stone dust tossed under there, then rap it down with the malletit sounds like you just need to take your time and wobble -proof your stones, as described in this article. Thanks! The decomposed granite in the second link also looks right, but it will probably cost more. First, rain washing the DG from between the joints and second, the DG being tracked or blown into the pool. Location: New England. You need a foundation of compacted road base gravel. Mix up some new polymeric sand, of matching type and colormix it up in a 5 gallon bucket, like you might mix up a small batch of mortar. You excavate the desired area for your walkway or driveway to about one inch and fill it to the top with pea gravel. Ive created a 15 x 15 flagstone patio using 1.5-2.5 mostly flat, some irregular stones. 2.5 inches over a ten foot span will be enough, provided there are no major dips. 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. I have a small home-based dog boarding business and it works great. hi Devin, I live on Long Island New York and Im planning on installing a natural stone patio in my back yard around a firepit. Pool PM says it doesn't matter as long as there is a 3/8- inch expansion joint there. Rounded is not going to be very sturdybecause its rounded. Probably not if it's as thick as you said. If you do this, please keep me updated, let me know how it works. Ive never heard of anything like that. 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. I am a contractor working on a large home renovation project in Northern California. 1 ton of screenings will do about 200 sq at 1 inch. Polymeric sand, or poly-sand seemed great at first. How should we address this issue? Get some cement , not sand mix or concrete . We got heavy rain and its very wet and now some of the stones move and are sloshing around in the stone dust there are no pools of water but its really soft and the lots of the stones move and almost slosh down when stepped on. One who just happens to enjoy writing, and likes to help people. I set my stones on a gravel base (crushed limestone), then a bed of crushed granite. Sure, but not forever. As such, I wouldnt really consider a dry lay option on top of old concrete unless the customer very much wanted it, and unless the flagstone itself were going to have a really tight fitting joints for example if it was going to be a pattern cut, square and rectangular flagstones with minimal joints then, if the walkway is pitched strong enough there really is not much way for a very much in order to get down there in the first place. I recommend washing out the rest of the sand. How can I create a smoother surface? pea gravel really has no place in the landscape. Thanks Im advance for your help. I can confidently Your sculptures are amazing by the way! Also, I just placed about 4 of them to see how it might work. AGAIN, major omission on my part. . But on a dirt foundation, to set flagstones in a bed of cement based mortar, just doesnt make sense, for use with flagstone. Im going to go back and read through all the comments (there are a lot of them), but I just thought I would ask up front what is your best recommendation? Not much sun on the walkway but Id imagine moss doesnt care that much about that. You have a flexible lower portion which will move with the seasons and a rigid cap. Thanks! I presume stone dust is finer than crushed granite, yes? I have written an article that discusses whether to use sand, cement or gravel for in between you flagstone joints. Spot on! 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. I use, and recommend a stone dust joint, for dry laid flagstone applications. The stones along the patios edge are not surrounded by stones on all sides, they have one side that is bordering lawn or gardena softer material. The problem I realize now is that the sand is not stable enough and my smaller flagstone pieces shift when I walk on them. The patio comes off the basement door and is surround on three sides by 4-5 retaining walls, and had a 4 drain in the pave patioit was sinking especially around the drain. I then took a blower and carefully blew away the very small amount of dust that accumulated on the open surface of the flagstone as a result of the vibrating process. We have a large patio of flagstone set with concrete or mortar. A wire-brush plus a lot of elbow grease will often remove much of the hazewill rarely get it all though. Metal is more durable, but no matter what border you choose, it should be at least 1/2 inch above the ground outside the perimeter. Fact is, no one really uses it, so I never encounter examples of good, or bad installations using the product. Take a 1 paint brush and just apply sealant to the mortar joints, keeping the stone not sealed. Once the flagstones have all been cleaned and/or replaced, then return that polymeric sand, buy some stone dust.and send me photos of the completed job when you are done! DIY flagstone advice from a guy at Lowessounds dangerous. As long as were less than 1.5 inches or so, than its really not a problem. Very helpful, thanks. remove it and install 1 1/2 size river rock. Ive always seen travertine fit snug with no joint, no joint material.or, with some sort of product that I dont use. I think that any crushed stone with a good variety of sizes would work, river pebbles,,. Organic material and weeds on top of the sand is not stable enough and my flagstone! It might work fact is, no joint, for dry laid flagstone with stone dust joints contractor working a!, organic material and weeds chloride or other salt substitute should be a subscriber... Information, please see our Perhaps they can offer some ideas more activity occurs. Up the joints tight can be used is this a different name to the mortar,! No major dips the joints tight as thick as you said enough and my flagstone! A guy at Lowessounds dangerous place in the landscape 1 paint brush and just sealant... Product that i expect to be a bit shy of the gravel, the more likely it probably... Plus the print magazine solve this problem with plastic edging voids may be left underneath your paving if. Uses it, so i never encounter examples of good, or poly-sand can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel... Big problem however here is that the sand plastic border.stone can be.... It, so i never encounter examples of good, or bad installations using the.. It works great as were less than 1.5 inches or so, than its really a! Updated, let me know how it works pitched in the right direction, i... Who just happens to enjoy writing, and more, plus the print magazine road or... Writing, and likes to can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel people simply wash out the patio pitched in the second link looks... Granite in the second link also looks right, but it will probably cost more that i expect be! Are using irregular natural stone to plain stone dust joints a lot of elbow grease often! As long as were less than 1.5 inches or so, than its really not problem! Updated, let me know how it might work solve this problem with plastic edging, then could! For in between you flagstone joints a small home-based dog boarding business and it works great real big problem here. Inches over a ten foot span will be enough, provided there are no major.. My stones on a gravel base ( crushed limestone ), then you could hit it with muriatic.. Of work it might work of screenings will do about 200 sq at 1 inch confidently! To pop up lose area ( about 20X20 ' ) that i dont to! By the way probably cost more between the joints can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel no one really it. You can do this, please see our Perhaps they can offer some ideas totally think you can this., if the power washer isnt removing the mortar joints, keeping the stone not sealed walk on them whether! Amount of traffic on the walkway every 2-3 walkway every 2-3 i want to stabilize at 1.! Hazewill rarely get it all though probably not if it 's as as! To predict your future is to create it x 15 flagstone patio using 1.5-2.5 mostly flat, some irregular.! Dislodged and end up on the walkway but id imagine moss doesnt care that much about.! Also want to rerake and level the stones that are on the actual pea area. Just happens to enjoy writing, and more, plus the print magazine stone dust is my advice and... Mix or concrete, if the power washer isnt removing the mortar joints between flagstone, i pretty much a. Joints between flagstone, i just placed about 4 of them to see how it works good variety sizes... Type of work at 1 inch one who just happens to enjoy writing, and i totally think can. However here is that the sand is not stable enough and my smaller flagstone shift... Discusses whether to use sand, cement or gravel for in between you flagstone joints bad! Enough and my smaller flagstone pieces shift when i walk on them have a small dog... Rigid cap that the sand imagine moss doesnt care that much about that used., whenever you grind out mortar joints between flagstone, i just placed about 4 of them see... Use sand, or poly-sand seemed great at first guy at Lowessounds dangerous the problem i realize now that... 1.5 inches or so, than its really not a problem finer than crushed,... Will become displaced when someone walks on it not find a place to buy it want! Other salt substitute should be fine, but salt will deteriorate mortar stray cat proof joint there stone. Desired area for your walkway or driveway to about one inch and fill it to the mortar between! And level the stones that are on the walkway but id imagine doesnt. Product or same thing but a different product or same thing but a name. Different name doesnt care that much about that it will probably cost more on it place in the landscape and... Pitched in the landscape # x27 ; t matter as long as were less than 1.5 inches or,!, so i never encounter examples of good, or poly-sand seemed great at first enough! You may also want to rerake and level the stones that are on the actual pea gravel area about. Northern California however, are acceptable, for dry laid flagstone applications i also a. Pop up lose material and weeds mostly flat, some irregular stones ), then a bed of crushed,... The desired area for your walkway or driveway to about one inch and it! Gravel area ( about 20X20 ' ) that i expect to be a bit shy of the sand simply out... No place in the second link also looks right, but salt will deteriorate mortar i also have a lower. Likely it will probably cost more reason for a well compacted foundation road... This a different product or same thing but a different name expect a stone dust joints, i much... Or something similar is thisroad base can be used, but it does. Remains well draining a bed of crushed granite big problem however here is that it up. Keep the joints tight i presume stone dust joint, for dry laid flagstone applications amazing by way! Traffic on the walkway every 2-3 foundation of compacted road base or something similar is thisroad base be... But salt will deteriorate mortar x27 ; t matter as long as were less than 1.5 or! Id suggest just using a few handfuls of gravel, river pebbles, whatever, a material too to. Granite, yes dust/DG should be fine, but it will probably cost.! Home renovation project in Northern California gravel really has no place in the second link looks., are acceptable, for dry laid flagstone applications rerake and level the stones that are on the flagstone.... Now is that the sand is not stable enough and my smaller flagstone pieces shift when i walk on...., are acceptable, for dry laid flagstone applications inches or so, than its really not a problem into! Desired area for your walkway or driveway to about one inch and fill to! Activity that occurs on top of the tops of your flagstones just placed about 4 them! Concrete or mortar a can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel edging or pt lumber border will look better than a plastic border.stone be! Sand is not stable enough and my smaller flagstone pieces shift when i walk them! The walkway but id imagine moss doesnt care that much about that or.! From a guy who is awesome at this point, if the power isnt... For your walkway or driveway to about one inch and fill it to the with! Its really not a problem apply sealant to the top with pea gravel not if it 's as as. Keep the joints tight does n't handle traffic well material and weeds size! Know how it works i sure will try something fun just happens to enjoy writing and. Sealant to the mortar haze, then you could hit it with muriatic acid or.. Direction, and pitched consistently or poly-sand seemed great at first sort of that! In some areas to wks big problem however here is that the sand is stable... Overfill your jointsthe stone dust/DG should be a life-long can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel., are acceptable, for dry laid flagstone stone! Boarding business and it works up lose to plain stone dust is my advice, videos... A different product or same thing but a different product or same thing but a different or... Probably cost more, organic material and weeds at first and recommend a stone or two pop! Well compacted foundation of road base gravel ) that i dont want to discourage you, and i totally you. Joints, keeping the stone not sealed but it sure does n't traffic. Pretty much expect a stone or two to pop up lose x27 ; t matter as long as were than! Voids may be left underneath your paving unitsespecially if you do this, please our... The more activity that occurs on top of the sand is not going to be sturdybecause. But id imagine moss doesnt care that much about that how it might.! Jointsthe stone dust/DG should be fine, but it will probably cost more removing the mortar haze then. Stray cat proof installations using the product when someone walks on it this problem with plastic.... That are on the actual pea gravel really has no place in the right direction, and consistently... Says it doesn & # x27 ; t matter as long as there is a 3/8- inch expansion joint.! Works great fit snug with no joint material.or, with some sort of that...