Flagstone Patio

 So you are choosing a flagstone patio. You have made a good choice because this is easy to work with and install. You will need the following tools to complete your job of laying the flagstone: a chipping hammer, pick, level, broom, shovel, ruler, rubber mallet, string line and sand and gravel.

Your first job is measuring off the size of your patio. Take into consideration any thing that will obstruct your path such as trees or bushes. You want to keep your patio far away from any trees to not have a problem of roots growing through your flagstone. When you have measured off your area multiply width by length to find out how much sand and gravel you will need and how much flagstone you will require.

Lay out the area you will need using the string and stakes as you measure. Dig this out to a depth of 6 inches. You have to have this area as level as possible to make the rest of your patio go easier and insure it is level. Compact this area as level as possible.

Place a layer of gravel at a time, wet, tamp and level this. Now is the time to put a weed blanket down to prevent weeds from growing up through, which can cause you constant maintenance in the future. Now you are ready for your sand. Your excavated area has to be filled up to one or one and a half inches from the top.

You are now ready to lay your flagstone, making sure that the flagstone is butted as tight as you can get them. To level them use your sand to place it where you need it and use your rubber mallet to tap them gently in place. Remember the larger flagstone pieces you use the more attractive your patio will look.

After all the flagstone is placed, throw sand over the top. Take a broom and work this sand into the seams that are showing. Repeat this until all seams are filled with sand. Now make a trench about 6 inches deep and pour cement in. You have now completed your patio. Sit back relax and enjoy the compliments.