To ensure your project runs smoothly, there are several things that are to be considered when laying a patio.
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Many Landscapers will have their own tried methods of how to lay paving slabs that works for them over several years, and as there are many variables to consider, the process my differ slightly depending on who youâre asking.
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To get the installation process right is just as important as selecting the slabs and familiarising yourself with the process ahead of time will help you to avoid costly mistakes. Whether youâre laying the paving yourself of you have a professional landscaper doing the job for you, we advise having a basic understanding of the process so that you know what to expect.
The information on this page is intended as a guide to the best practice for laying paving on a mortar bed and is based on advice from professional landscapers.
Communication with your landscaper is important to ensure that there us plenty of time to accept your delivery and check the goods before laying the slabs begins.
We recommend accepting delivery at least 75+ hours before you place to start laying slabs to allow some time to assess any natural variations within the stone. We ask you to read the full delivery procedure HERE Our delivery information will outline all the key information you will need to be sure that everything goes smoothly on the day.
Checking your slabs for damage in transit is essential and if you discover any damages, please follow our damages protocol HERE. Taking the time to do this will avoid any delays to the work.
It is crucial to order an additional 10% to account of waste.
When laying a patio, cuts will almost aways need to be made to slabs resulting in some wastage. Fitting your slabs around the drain cover, step or to the edge of your available space are just a few examples of why you would need to make cuts. The odd cut sections of your slabs will ultimately come out of the full SQM coverage. The off-cut sections of your slabs will ultimately come out of the full m² coverage of your order, so always be sure to account for this when placing your order. This will also cover you for any damages during installation, accidental chips or damage and any natural variations that you decide not to use. Find out a little more about Cutting Paving Slabs.
As a natural product, variations in tone and colour will always be present within the stone and being prepared for this ahead of laying the slabs will allow you to pick and choose any that youâd rather not use. You may decide not to use some of the slabs due to personal preference or to keep the colours evenly spread throughout the project. With a natural product, the colours within each crate can never be predetermined and if you have more than one crate of paving, itâs important to mix the slabs from each crate to account for any variations from crate to crate. If you are not carrying out the work yourself, ensure that the person laying the paving is fully aware of any natural variations that you would prefer not to use. Doing this will avoid any slabs being used that you would have preferred to discard, and some landscapers will even require that you sign paperwork to agree that you are happy for them to lay natural variations.
It is recommended to use a priming slurry when laying paving slabs. This is also known as a primer or SBR and is applied to the underside of the slabs for a safe and sturdy fix to the base. This will create a barrier between the stone and the mortar to prevent any natural salts and minerals from being drawn up through the base of the slab.
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Uneven application of a priming slurry can lead to moisture being drawn up through the base of the stone unevenly. This moisture will appear on the surface in the same uneven fashion which can lead to an unsightly appearance on the finished patio. To avoid this, be sure to apply the wet slurry to the whole underside of each slab.
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Dampen or cool the slabs before applying your priming slurry as a warm, dry slab will allow the priming slurry to dry and will stop the primer from performing in the way that it should.
Most tradesmen will have their preference in priming slurries or can even make their own, but itâs always recommended to use a ready-made product. A manufactured product will always offer you much more consistency than a mix that has been made on-site.
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We offer few Slurry Primers which does a great all round job!
Laying a patio can get messy and itâs important to take as much care as possible when laying the slabs to ensure that no staining occurs to the slabs during installation.
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Once any substances have had a chance to soak into the stone, the stains left can be very tough or even impossible to remove, so itâs always a good idea to seal the slabs before laying to prevent this.
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If you do notice any residue on the slabs when installing, be sure to clean it off ASAP as things such as wet cement will be much tougher to remove once dried. Remember that anything which remains on the surface of a slab can seep into the stone and leave a stain.
We always advise sealing your paving, whether itâs Natural Stone or Porcelain. This will help to protect the stone against staining and can be done before or after patio laying.
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Natural stone is porous and will absorb liquid from anything left on the surface. Wet leaves, bird droppings and moss can all leave stains and once drawn into the surface of your stone, removing stains can be very tricky. Sealing will also prevent excess moisture from building up within natural stone which will help to prevent frost damage as well as the growth of moss, mould and algae.
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Porcelain can also be susceptible to staining from cement and other materials from the laying process and using a porcelain sealer or protected will help with the removal of this.
Always use a high-quality natural stone sealer and be sure to follow the manufacturerâs instructions.
⢠Always keep in mind that the specific needs of your project will differ depending on your environment and it is recommended that all the variables of your project are taken into consideration by a professional before your start to laying slabs. Every project is different and a decision will need to be made before the start of the project as to the long-term stability of the ground. Always err on the side of caution and lay a strong base at the outset.
⢠Paving should be laid at least 150mm below the damp proof course (DPC) of any adjacent building.
⢠Plan for drainage and calculate a fall of at least 1:60 so that your patio sloped very slightly in one direction. This could be a drop of 1 inch for 60 inches of paving or 1cm for every 60cm. As long as you have the ratio correct, excess rainwater will drain away safely. Be sure that this fall slopes away from any adjacent buildings and that the site is free draining with permeable bedding. Avoid laying paving slabs on any clay-heavy soil. Clay has poor drainage which will allow a build-up of water and will also soften and erode when wet, leaving your slabs prone to shift and break.
⢠Spot Bedding, Ring Bedding, Dot & Dab Method or Five Dotting Technique are all terms that refer to laying methods where only some parts of the slabs are in contact with the bed. Methods such as these will cause issues with the stability of the slabs, allowing them to become loose and will also cause some serious and irreversible reflective staining to the surface of the slabs. Avoid these methods at all costs.
⢠Think about how the paving will be jointed before you start as well as any laying patterns that youâll be using. Youâll find some great info on laying patterns HERE. When ordering a mixed-size Patio Kit, always be sure to check the exact sizes of the slabs that you will receive within the crate. These are always listed on our product pages and will determine how you will need to go about the jointing process.
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⢠If you are laying paving from multiple crates, itâs important to mix the slabs from each crate to account for any variations between the two. Dry-laying the slabs beforehand will help you to check that everything is in order before you start.
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