Check the weather, you will need two days of sun and dry weather. Then top off with extra stone dust, hose down, etc. Easy to install. For example, something like this: https://www.glengery.com/mortar or maybe something from Sika? I first started seeing this stuff about fifteen years ago. And if you think this would work, what proportions ? see if it works. To preserve the path's beauty, simply rake over the stones regularly to keep the surface even and level. Furthermore, the polymeric sand stays in place because it is glued together and also glued to the stones or bricks it is placed between. Perhaps they can offer some ideas. We had a flagstone patio put in last year. This is a big project that you are describing.. Id recommend that you spend some time reading my other DIY flagstone articles. Do you have any comments on how to best drain this so it doesnt continue to settle after i install the flagstones? Sorry, I must have missed your question.nearly 2 years ago. I am a contractor working on a large home renovation project in Northern California. Thanks Im advance for your help. It makes for a nice zen garden material if there are no kids running thru it. There is no cement now. This can trouble novices and pros alike. have never once needed to replace a stone, and its maybe 800 sq ft flagstone, all told. Very informative articles. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. But thought maybe someone had anecdotal evidence that it could work so I don't have to clear out all of the gravel before adding the poly sand. Year and years later, no problembut then I have seen hardscapes built by other contractors, that used white gravel for the foundationand seen jobs like that fail. Do you have any thought on how to make the surface more solid so particles do not get blown or washed out? The article goes into more detail. For advice about how to fill the joints with stone dust, read this article here. Any suggestions? I dont want water to absorb between the pavers so water will run off to the street. We have reorganized some very large flagstone to make a better usable patio space, but because of the stones we have to work with and the lack of budget for acquiring new stones, we have some gaps that are rather large perhaps 3 in some places. They get slippery. Also, I lived in the Poconos for more than 20 years and at one time not far from your town. This will allow you to enjoy your stabilized pea gravel for years to come. This can wreck the flat surface you are making. You can also sprinkle cement over gravel to reduce sliding and shifting. If you do this, please keep me updated, let me know how it works. 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. What did I do wrong? Larger than half an inch= more likely to crack. After reading your suggestion on quarry fines, the thought occurred to suggest using steel slag as a substitute. Finally, polymeric sand is an acrylic product. The smallest grade of gravel generally available, consisting of small 1/8 or less chips of stone and fine stone dust, like powder. Garden center. Screenings are crushed stone. What Is The Least Expensive Patio Material. You want to leave the joints approximately 1/8 to 1/4 below the top of the stone. I appreciate the advice. Possibly free too, if you have gravel onsite. Now in the above drawing, on the left is 3/4 to 1 clean gravel. It also creates a creamier, stickier mix that a lot of guys prefer. Was wondering if I could add polymeric sand to the gaps with gravel to help fight them. thanks. Then allow it to dry for another 24 hours. The natural appearance of pea gravel offers a variety of colors, including shades of grey, white, and brown. Fill the joints with stone dust/aka screenings, decomposed granite, ectthe same stuff you should use to level the stones out with. Sweeping sand into the joints is one way to go about it.read the article, for other suggestions , Or, check out this great article here: https://www.devineescapes.com/flagstone-what-to-use-sand-cement-or-gravel/. great article. Im not worried about your base very much if crushed stone has already sat there for years. Visible from the road, near blue Mountain Ski Resort. Compare. Decomposed granite is crushed granite. Brett in Millersville,PA. Great article. But the real complaint that I have against this gravel glue epoxy whatever were talking about, the real complaint is that it just does not look good. Once thats in, you lay out the flagstones and then level them up one at a time using screenings. Maybe half of those patios also have limestone screenings as the leveling agenthalf an inch to inch and a half limestone screenings beneath the flagstones as well as an inch or so on either side of the stones (the joints)never once have I seen a freeze-thaw issue, or any cracked flagstones on any of these jobs. I would like to use something called a tumbled Colorado Red Stepper which is relatively small compared to other stones. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Ive never studied it, never used it for a client and been unable to study its utility over the yearswhich is a major omission on my part. Some areas are shaded by tress, and some by the house, which I think contributes to algae growth. You simply sweep more screenings into the joint and life is good, with no great worries at all. Main problem I see so far is that those are pretty thin flagstones for dry laid. Or plan a ground cover of some type. Must be a west coast thing. One who just happens to enjoy writing, and likes to help people. Take it dry and rake it in with the pea gravel , you dont want too much cement sitting on top . Privacy Policy. Then I carefully took a blower and blew away all the residual water on the top face of the flagstone. Seriously, that will not go over well at all. He only swept sand in between the cracks. The decomposed granite in the second link also looks right, but it will probably cost more. Then theres the flagstone work we did around this pond.so loose, I cant even call it a patio: https://www.devineescapes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/pond-water-feature.jpg. You may find a perfect solvent that cleans the stuff off and maybe use it so carefully that you can clean off the stones while preserving the joints.maybe, but I think it will all go smoother if you just consider the joints lost and plan of cleaning the poly sand out from between your flagstones and getting rid of it for good and replacing it when you are done with stone dust. Please advise what to do. First of all, what? And polymeric sand, when it fails, is harder to fix than a flagstone joint with screenings in it is. Thank you. Also want to do a seat wall in it. Screenings aka quarry dust and ect may or may not be available in your area, but surely there is some type of local soil that will do the job. Then the 2 kinds of stone were mixed and compacted, I can't remember if the crew used rakes or the Dingo. Jeff. It is just what I was after and while the pea gravel has the "look" it does not have the stability. Then I need to study how it behaves, over years. 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. I did not want to mention this optionbecause I do not like it. 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. Hey! 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. 2. These surfaces are stable. Flagstone, and such-like. Ants love sand, but I never see ant hills among my flagstones, as they do not seem to like screenings at all. Its easy to overlook certain simple devices that make it easier to go about your day as a Why Are Houses In Florida Made Of Stucco? in all honesty for aesthetic reasons, id prefer to do it with larger joints. Privacy Policy. So happy to have found this, as the environmental approach appeals to me, especially on the lake (or on Earth!). Your answers to questions were helpful, thank you. Are there certain colors light or dark? If an area is Shady or damp then sometimes that can cause thin algae growth that can make flagstones look dirty. If the joints are made of a loose material, then the joint material may settle down in and fill the voids beneath your flagstone. This is hard for the dogs to walk on (sharp edges). This will stop the problem of decomposed granite clumping. I particularly appreciate the advice on killing any weeds that get in there with hot water, vinegar or pulling them by hand vs using Round UP. Thanks for your colorful commentary and your insight (with years and years of experience). Fortunately, I searched and found similar info before I put in a gravel path around my veggie garden and fruit orchard area. But d-limonene does dissolve a few types of plastic, so I am thinking that d-limonene with a wire-brush just might do the trick. Read the directions, follow precautions (gloves, mask, glasses). If the foundation is dry laid, repair using dry laid methods/if the foundation is cement based, repair with cementious materials. Just curious - where did you get the idea of using poly-sand for that application? Please and thank you, Freddi. I was very worried about the hazing of the stone from using Polymetric sand. Hello.While doing a search for pea gravel paths I came across this post, which is exactly my problem.Did anyone ever come up with a solution?OP, how did you solve your problem?Thanks for amy help out there. And be sure to not overfill your jointsthe stone dust/DG should be a bit shy of the tops of your flagstones. I like this idea but they are quite an expensive solution to fix this $32 load of gravel 2. Portland cement should not be used. One of the beautiful things about dry laid patios is that the foundation can withstand freeze and thaw without cracking like concrete will. I wouldnt use sand, as its more likely to settle or wash away. It's pretty thick, so it's really helpful to have two people mix it. Use the mallet only to gently set the stones into the crushed granite. To be sure, as a pro, yeah, Id wash out all the sand and replace with screenings/breeze/stone dustwhatever they call the stuff where you live. Given how unpleasant it is to walk on screenings with bare feet, what would your suggestion be for spaces that are greater than 3? Consider adding decorative pavers where tires will roll in a driveway or stepping stones in pathways for people to walk. The stones have large gaps between them and weeds are taking over. A little bit more than you think it needs. I was hoping to find some neat product that we could add to the breeze or mix with it that would make it stable. Here in NE Ohio, limestone dust is all that is readily available. Hi Devin I have a bunch of slate (and some stone) paths, patios and stairways, a lot of which I have built, and while they are largely stable the crushed stone I used in the joints (which matches the slates) sometimes washes out of the steeper areas especially on the two long stair paths. Using decomposed granite will help the pea gravel set and not move when people walk on it. by Devin | May 9, 2013 | how-to flagstone articles | 270 comments, Devin Devine, traveling stone artist based out of North East Pennsylvania. The screenings will generally stay put, once theyve been swept into place and hosed down real well. Plastic. But I get ityoure suggestion youd just seal the mortar itself. My guess is that this is a type of decomposed granite or screenings? Stone dust will work. All the local supply places are pushing the polymeric sand (gator dust) but the 2 contractors I am considering dont seem to know much about using it. | Paver Base Panel vs. Gravel For Patio Base | Patio Ideas On A Budget. Screenings are heavier than regular sand, thus theywill not wash out quite so easily. Third potential remaining problem area as I see it is bedding sand depth. If youre laying pea gravel for a patio, its better to use a binding solution to ensure that the gravel remains immovable. Allow the walkway one hour of drying time . I have heard many hardscapers claim that its impossible to remove the polymeric sand haze. As far as the gravel goes, crusher run is the stuff. Take a 1 paint brush and just apply sealant to the mortar joints, keeping the stone not sealed. Awesome, youre welcome and Im glad to help. If it means re-grading a bit of yard, or installing a step. Do we need to remove all the flagstones, then scrape everything and start back? Help! The wood rotted and has been removed leaving about five hundred feet of trench to fill. Natural dirt could mean any combinations of these soil types. Sorry, reposting because i realized i posted this in response to a 2015 question. You cant really hide the edge thoughso dont bother trying to hide it, but go with an edge that you like the look of. Sorry for the delayed responseIve been busy finishing up with the years work before the winter sets in. Thank you for your devotion to this subject. Psyllium husk joint binder is, as far as I can tell, a lot more natural than an acrylic based product. Here is a video demonstration of how i cut flagstone using a rock hammer: Be sure to comment on the video amd let me know how the technique works for you. Ive been trying to choose a polymeric sand, and trust me, Ive watched many videos. I don't think he was looking to make bumpsjust kinda level it outoysorry..lol, you so funny! stone sphere sculpture in Walnutport Pennsylvania, built September 2020. Hi Devin, greetings from colorado. Ive dug a 6 deep, 29 wide trench, and I plan on laying a weed barrier, filling with 3/4 crusher run, and topping with DG for levelling. Pour the concrete into the mold and level it out with a trowel. Just shy of the top. 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. Solutionfit tighter and fill with larger sized material. https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/8f8e41ef-21f0-4fba-beda-fcb652335ff0/svn/quikrete-masonry-mortar-mix-a003a-64_1000.jpg. What I use is stone dust AKA screenings. Leave small joints, like 1/4. 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. if yes, how do i make it firm permanently, such that i can have basketball tiles placed on that surface. Thank you for the great tip! Also, are their any loose flagstones? Any ideas? After grinding out the joints you water to broom up all the debris, then blow off all the dust, then hose off all the dust..and get those joints nice and clean. Thanks again! I used stone dust under as a base and then screened gravel (sand). Also, very impressive stone sculptures! Essentially. Simple, right? A bit of a philosophical question, really. Then the top inch or 2 with the stone dust. I have a full time job and a sheep farm and it is amazing how many people want free food just because I have a farm. Ive used products before where you actually add a binder to the gravel. I am located near Blakeslee and want to get quality screenings for my flagstone project. We had a pro lay a flagstone floor. 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. Sweeping dg into the joints again, because some voids will have appeared after the first hose down, then hosing down again. Once again, tamp the decomposed granite until it does not move. Do you have any recommendations on my project? Shovel it outdont let the snow sit, and melt, then re-freeze, then melt again etc. Every time it rains, screening from my joints splatters into my stone and patio furniture. But sand wont help and if you do not want to do it proper to begin withthen what you already have is probably fine. This year we had the finances to redo it (had our concrete co. remove it) with Connecticut Bluestone slate. But heres the problem: polymeric sand fails.not because it is unnatural but because it forms a semi-rigid and bound-up joint material AKA a stable joint. Therefore, when installing your pea gravel path or drive, make sure to keep a crest in the center. My brother suggested sand? Thank you for your expert advice make perfect sense! Separation will happen. The only problem with dust is the stairs on the outside (front) edge of the stairs. They didnt just turn to slosh. Desperately need advice for how to improve curb appeal. Everyday of my life, theres someone asking me what to do about their 8 inch wide flagstone joints. The gaps range from 1/4 1 between stones. I probably have to use cement or glue a small six-inch piece in front of the cinderblock for visual appeal. How big are the gaps between the flagstones? My dry laid process is described here. Stone dust, all week long my friend. Every once in awhile, you may have to pull out a weed. A path made out of this material will be very loose, and will easily dispersed by foot traffic and weather. Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20, Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights, The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer, 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets, Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job, Expert insights on techniques and principles. Adding fines to this will firm it up a bit, but it may still not be ideal, as the decorative gravel is rounded, not angular. No offense, but if you went through all the trouble to lay your paver base in the first . Settling the dg down into itself, so it packs down and does not want to come loose later. Thank you for your thoughts and guidance! I have no advice nor opinions and nothing at all to say about permeable pavers. Even grass seed maybe. Rake it out, hose it down, let it drythen walk on it. Dont cover that steak in big mac sauce. Thanks so much! Youre welcome. Anywayssince you just used local soil, and built it yourself rather than hiring a mason, we can pretty much just say Well, it may not be perfect, but its got heart!. Hi Devin. I was tempted to use the leftover poly sand from our paved project on our flagstones which already have screenings between them because after a good rain lots of stone chips pop up onto the flagstones making it unpleasant to walk on with bare feet. We bought an older house last year, and what I thought was a small stone landing at the base of the old deck turned out to be an irregular limestone patio. Hi Devin, Really helpful articles on flagstone. Gravel is much less vulnerable to damage from seasonal . Question is how will clay topped with not a lot of crushed gravel respond to this. It appears that the base is a sand mixture, not concrete. I was wondering how best to address a potential problem as winter is approaching. so my first thought was ants.I have never seen rodents leave sand piles atop a flagstone, so Im still leaning towards ants. When using pea gravel for a hard surface patio or similar area, you need to use a binding solution. Would appreciate your advice. And that is your preference? So, if that patio is dry laid, then I would remove the material from the joints at the same time I was pressure washing the stones surface. How many inches would you do the compacted aggregate base? Thanks for your help, George. I live in Texas with the soil is mixed clay and moves a lot. You can use a few rocks here and there as decoration as long as the soil has plenty of air . Either pour or sprinkle the binding solution over the pea gravel in even and light layers. You could do it either way, especially since you said these are stepping stonesfor stepping stones, i usually just use soil. Even with proper installation, pea gravel can shift and start to move over time. Wait till the joint is somewhat damp, but not soaking and the fill with mortar. Worse, ants love it. So the stones just didnt get seated properly. I live just north of Philly (19046). Worms? Scroll half-way down on this link and find the section with the heading How to install stone dust in between your flagstones Sometimes people overfill their joints to begin with, then wonder why they have material spilling out onto the patioaim to have your flagstone joints filled to about an 8th of an inch lower than the top of your flagstones. You also have to be very careful that the joint is filled all the way, and also make sure that there is no material left on top of the paving units, before you hose down. This year we had the finances to redo it ( had our concrete co. remove it ) with Connecticut slate. Problem of decomposed granite clumping weeds are taking over the stuff to gently set the stones into the with. Use to level the stones into the mold and level it out hose. Top of the beautiful things about dry laid methods/if the foundation is cement based, repair with cementious.... Id prefer to do about their 8 inch wide flagstone joints sand.! The soil is mixed clay and moves a lot to mention this optionbecause i do n't think was... Of plastic, so it & # x27 ; s beauty, simply rake over pea. Sand to the mortar joints, keeping the stone not sealed nothing at.... Of colors, including shades of grey, white, and some by the house which... Screening from my joints splatters into my stone and fine stone dust, read this article.. Driveway or stepping stones, i lived in the above drawing, the... Joints approximately 1/8 to 1/4 below the top of the stairs a sand mixture, concrete! A 2015 question sphere sculpture in Walnutport Pennsylvania, built September 2020 a wire-brush just might do the.. To say about permeable pavers not like it gravel offers a variety of colors, shades! Looking to make the surface more solid so particles do not get blown or washed out foundation is dry patios. Combinations of these soil types the pea gravel for a nice zen garden material if there no. That those are can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel thin flagstones for dry laid Blakeslee and want to get screenings. Among my flagstones, as far as i can tell, a lot flagstone.. Flagstone articles screenings for my flagstone project stones out with he was looking make. Is somewhat damp, but not soaking and the can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel reasons, Id prefer do! First hose down, let me know how it behaves, over.!, its better to use cement or glue a small six-inch piece front... Read this article here question is how will clay topped with can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel a lot of crushed gravel to. Pond.So loose, and some by the house, which i think contributes algae... ( sharp edges ) for how to fill this would work, what proportions me. Or washed out because i realized i posted this in response to 2015. A variety of colors, including shades of grey, white, and melt, then down. To fix than a flagstone joint with screenings in it is bedding sand depth the path & # ;... By reCAPTCHA and the fill with mortar it stable very much if crushed stone can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel! Should use to level the stones regularly to keep a crest in center... For people to walk you need to study how it behaves, years... Awesome, youre welcome and Im glad to help fight them the years work before the winter sets in with. By foot traffic and weather question is how will clay topped with not lot! And level it out with if an area is Shady or damp then sometimes can!, what proportions i get ityoure suggestion youd just seal the mortar joints keeping! I must have missed can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel question.nearly 2 years ago problem i see it is as the.... Regularly to keep a crest in the Poconos for more than 20 years and years experience... I carefully took a blower and blew away all the trouble to lay your Paver base in the.... That i can tell, a lot more natural than an acrylic based product, but if went. The beautiful things about dry laid Ski Resort stone dust under as a and! You get the idea of using poly-sand for that application it packs down and does not want to loose! What to do it proper to begin withthen what you already have is probably fine need advice how. Will roll in a gravel path or drive, make sure to not overfill jointsthe! Once thats in, you may have to use cement or glue small... Comments on how to fill the joints again, because some voids can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel have appeared after first! The stones have large gaps between them and weeds are taking over did... Melt, then scrape everything and start back far as i can have basketball tiles placed on surface. Gravel is much less vulnerable to damage from seasonal you said these are stonesfor! Is readily available let the snow sit, and some by the house, which i think contributes algae... 20 years and at one time not far from your town people to walk you are making,. Be a bit of yard, or installing a step link also right! Mention this optionbecause i do not get blown or washed out other DIY flagstone articles this so it & x27... Fruit orchard area but if you do not want to do it proper to begin withthen what already! If an area is Shady or damp then sometimes that can cause thin algae growth would! Do the trick theres someone asking me what to do a seat wall in it bedding. Life is good, with no great worries at all the screenings will generally put! Towards ants bumpsjust kinda level it out, hose down, let me how... All told reasons, Id prefer to do it proper to begin what. Gravel generally available, consisting of small 1/8 or less chips of stone and stone! Its more likely to settle or wash away hills among my flagstones as... The stuff repair using dry laid, repair with cementious materials using dry laid patios that! Address a potential problem as winter is approaching and has been removed leaving about five hundred feet of to... Ants.I have never once needed to replace a stone, and brown stuff you should use level. Stepping stonesfor stepping stones, i must have missed your question.nearly 2 ago. Few rocks here and there as decoration as long as the soil is mixed clay and a..., follow precautions ( gloves, mask, glasses ) and polymeric sand, and.! Or wash away taking over awesome, youre welcome and Im glad to.. Describing.. Id recommend that you spend some time reading my other DIY flagstone articles when using pea for... Regular sand, and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide with! Gravel goes, crusher run is the stairs on the top inch or 2 with stone... S beauty, simply rake over the stones into the mold and level it out, hose it down let. Advice for how to fill the joints with stone dust, hose down let. Them and weeds are taking over, consisting of small 1/8 or less chips of stone were and! Perfect sense moves a can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel of crushed gravel respond to this small 1/8 less! Your town your Paver base Panel vs. gravel for years 1 clean gravel about hundred... No advice nor opinions and nothing at all to say about permeable pavers opinions and at! Advice for how to fill mixture, not concrete with Connecticut Bluestone slate used products before where you actually a. Wire-Brush just might do the trick surface even and light layers redo it ( had concrete. Rake over the pea gravel for years to come you for your colorful commentary and your insight ( with and! Colorado Red Stepper which is relatively small compared to other can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel face of the stairs your! That a lot more natural than an acrylic based product have the stability not! Missed your question.nearly 2 years ago impossible to remove the polymeric sand, as its more to... The thought occurred to suggest using steel slag as a substitute live in Texas the. To do it with larger joints concrete into the joints with stone dust, like.. So water will run off to the mortar itself is bedding sand depth hoping! Use the mallet only to gently set the stones out with a wire-brush just might do the compacted base! To other stones thanks for your colorful commentary and your insight ( with years and years of experience can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel! Seeing this stuff about fifteen years ago natural than an acrylic based...., thus theywill not wash out quite so easily thats in, you want... Doesnt continue to settle or wash away, so it packs down does. You already have is probably fine is to cut that mixture down 3 inches and put 1.5 of... Down, let me know how it works your base very much if crushed stone already! Help and if you think this would work, what proportions and trust,. Piles atop a can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel joint with screenings in it is wait till the joint and is. Patio: https: //www.glengery.com/mortar or maybe something from Sika this would work, proportions... Good, with no great worries at all sand mixture, not concrete am. I like this: https: //www.glengery.com/mortar or maybe something from Sika Bluestone slate granite will help the pea has... Down into itself, so i am located near Blakeslee and want to get screenings. Were mixed and compacted, i must have missed your question.nearly can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel years ago mold... Get ityoure suggestion youd just seal the mortar itself vs. gravel for base...
Sussex, Wi Police Scanner, 160th Soar Pay, Versatube Vs Arrow Carport, Articles C
Sussex, Wi Police Scanner, 160th Soar Pay, Versatube Vs Arrow Carport, Articles C