Or sand, if need be. We had a pro lay a flagstone floor. So one inch gaps, Im not sweating it too hard. Easier to install than poly sandno staining acrylic haze to worry about. Also, I lived in the Poconos for more than 20 years and at one time not far from your town. 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. Have you seen this water proofing used before to settle the quarry dust? With the powdery dry mix you really need to push down hard with the trowel (its so dry a mix that you will not cause a problem by pushing down, firmly, theres pretty much no water to push to the surface)so its easier to goof up that method. Binding agents like plaster, polyurethane, or epoxy coatings are also good ways to stabilize new and existing pea gravel. I was very worried about the hazing of the stone from using Polymetric sand. I have 1/4 minus which I used for the bed. Weed 2007, FWIW, I would forget the pebble idea for a dog run. Were using paving sand as the base. This is like cooking a fillet mignon, using the methods and seasons you learned by working at mcdonalds. Your answers to questions were helpful, thank you. Repeat customer, Ive visited that house a couple times a year for the past 7 yearsits all good. We visited a tourist attraction that had done this. If its dry laid, then everything should be dry laidno cement based products. I was thinking about trying a 4' wide path going back to the horse barn. Be sure to hose off and dont let muriatic acid sit long, as it can deteriorate the joint materialmuriatic acid eats cement. Do you seal your stones after adding the screening? But tiny cracks do form, and weeds will get in there, roots will grow, cracks will get worse. We have a large sandstone flag patio, installed in 2011 by a company that used poly sand in the joints. Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help. I dont know where you live or what sort of tile you are using, so i cant be more specific than that. If you do this, please keep me updated, let me know how it works. Now, my joints were set tight, maybe half inch widewider joints than that might be an issue. A fragment of flagstone that is 8 inches by 3 inches by 2.5 inches thickcould be laid upright, with 8 inches buried into the gravel. Thanks, I added your sculpture to my Facebook timeline nice work! Thank you for any comments that you can provide. Had a similar problem when we bought our current property. To decrease the gravel carried away by any runoff, you can also add drainage trenches to your pea gravel installation. Devin, Thanks for the article. But thought maybe someone had anecdotal evidence that it could work so I dont have to clear out all of the gravel before adding the poly sand. You mix it with the fines and sweep into the cracks, moisten. Here in NE Ohio, limestone dust is all that is readily available. Also want to do a seat wall in it. Yes I have run experiments oin differenat areas of the patio and have used different amts of water with the same results. I'd likely just go for concrete after this fiasco. I have used it quite successfully in the past, albeit with concrete pavers; the haze isnt as bothersome and didnt seem to last. What do you suggest or have you had these problems also? My wife and I are interested in a new brown wave patio. Use 3/4 crusher run for your base, 1/4 for your joint material and leveling agent. Polymeric sand is basically sand mixed with an acrylic binder. With the use of a heavy machine roller, roll out a dirt roadbed for the driveway.Next, install a thick layer of medium crush gravel into it. Try and keep them tight anywayyoull find flagstone is a more forgiving medium than you may be thinkinglarger joints, though not ideal, may not be such a huge problem. Then I would like to avoid more polymeric sand, and use what you have described instead. * This works better with tight joints. 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Finished with polymeric sand. So I think you can get away with a 2 joint, if thats what youre into. Its just like with concretewhen you see concrete that was poured maybe a year or 3 ago, and the top layer is flaking up. The 3/8 crushed basalt is the right stuff. Polymers: Thickeners. Stone dust will work. 15 years using this method and I have not had one single patio fail or need anything more than minor maintenance. Well yes, if a flagstone patio is pitched properly then water will flow over the flagstones and into a drain. Life happens. Organizing Homelife, How to Keep Track of Expiration Dates on Pantry Foods, How to Create a Kitchen Command Center Part 1 ~ Organize Your Kitchen Frugally Day 19, How to Make Cabinet Door Pockets to Organize Bills and Receipts, How to Create a Kitchen Command Center Part 2 ~ Organize Your Kitchen Frugally Day 20. Marbles could be neatsince they might not stay in place, neatly between the flagstone quite as well as the screenings, Id consider using the marbles more like an inlay.like use the screenings for most of the joints, then create a design with the marbles. Using pavers, like TRUEGRID pavers, to stabilize your pea gravel walkway is another option. Everyday of my life, theres someone asking me what to do about their 8 inch wide flagstone joints. Leave small joints, like 1/4. Other parts of the sand around the stones are developing what I would call stress fractures and lines. Cement/Sand mixture mortar left behind a residue and markings on my outdoor patio stone and walkway. If you leave the stone dust all the way filled to the top, its going to spill out and get everywhere. So you may or may not have seen this article, where I talk about how I do not recommend sealing flagstone. It is apparently about 12 yrs old. I plan to move every stone out to the opposite side and keep the pattern intact. I would then proceed to use screening in between joints. btw, the photo you emailed me looks GREAT. 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. Im hoping you might recommend something. This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. Clay base, with about 4 of 1/4 clear gravel, followed by 1 of screening before putting down 20 X 20 patio slabs with next to nothing for gaps. Each unit of our concrete block is approximately 3,000 lb in weight and 5' x 2'-5" x 2'-6" in dimensions. SO the flagstones were all pitched away from the pool, the coping was mortared, and besides that all the flagstone joints were set pretty tight. No offense, but if you went through all the trouble to lay your paver base in the first . I will check out your website further. In short: sweep the stone dust into the joints, hose down. 6 Reviews. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. Phone/email consultations are available if you want more detail/locally relevant specifics. HATED IT!!! Good luck! Ive used white screenings before, for flagstone joints, and never saw a problem. One who just happens to enjoy writing, and likes to help people. We have a large concrete patio(800 sq ft?) https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/8f8e41ef-21f0-4fba-beda-fcb652335ff0/svn/quikrete-masonry-mortar-mix-a003a-64_1000.jpg. The stones have large gaps between them and weeds are taking over. Anyone with real life experience using it? Screenings are not the same as polymeric sand. There just isnt any eye appeal to it and was wondering if one could put flagstone over the concrete sidewalk and if so how would you secure it to the concrete and what would you fill the cracks with? If I keep the joints tight will the material bind enough to keep water from percolating into ground? This is a BAD thing. My front walkway and patio stoop are on a concrete base and have a tan mortar between the flagstone joints. The location is climate type 9b, Northern California. Its important to compact it thoroughly with a heavy-duty roller. Get some cement , not sand mix or concrete . As far as separation along the cracks goesthis is a matter of technique, not of product. Thanks for saving me from the poly sand! Halsted White Sand & Utility Bags 50 lb. Can I still use the screening and will moss grow in it? Also do you use stone enhancer to intensify the color of the flag stone? Im not sure what to do about the wasps so much maybe if you got the Moss firmly established it would stop looking like a good place for the wasps. Natural dirt could mean any combinations of these soil types. See that off-white material between the flagstones? If the foundation is dry laid, repair using dry laid methods/if the foundation is cement based, repair with cementious materials. I like the idea of the screenings but do we now have to remove all of the sand? Repoint with Masons mortargrout is for tile work, indoors. I presume stone dust is finer than crushed granite, yes? Do I nned to re-apply screening? A pea gravel patio can be surprisingly difficult to keep maintained and repaired. The flagstones, having not perfectly flat surfaces, means that if you fill the joints all the way flush with the tops of the flagstones, then that joint material will spill out. Dig, then tamp, then lay roadbase gravel (3/4 minus). So Id pop up a stone first and see whats underneath, before committing to a mortared repair. Like all new things, it takes a minute before you realize the long term results. Clean gravel means it contains no fine materials, all chunks of about three quarters of an inch in size. Best thing you can do to extend the life of your patio mortar joints, living in Colorado or any place with harsh wintersis to stay on top of the snow. The rest are med to med-small with a few fillers. Just finished laying a patio of large natural stone2-4 thick in a shaded area. Step 1. The stones are fairly thick, 2-3thanks. It is just what I was after and while the pea gravel has the "look" it does not have the stability. Klingstone Paths is a liquid that is poured over loose stone pathways binding the stones together making a solid, ADA compliant and maintenance free path while keeping the natural look of the stones. The base is stone dust, by the way, not sand. I was thinking about using the decomposed granite between the joints as well but i was also interested in top dressing/filling the joints with a small jagged stone like crushed limestone. Ive used limestone screenings as the joint material for maybe a dozen flagstone patios, over the years. Placing a border around the perimeter of pea gravel paths and walkways is one of the best ways to stabilize pea gravel. -just planting grass in between the stone. I just put down some pea gravel around my fire pit area and now anytime someone walks on it the gravel gets into the mulch and all over. Do you recommend using cement/sand mortar combination or to go with stone dust. Before the coat is dry, apply sand over the binding solution. hose it down again, sweep of the excessand when you walk away from it you want your stone dust to be a little bit lower than the top of your flagstone. On the right hand side is modified gravel, or d.o.t road base. I then will use the 1/8 to 1/4 between the joints as advised. When gravel shifts, it can expose the weed cloth underneath, letting weeds overtake the edges of your gravel walkway or driveway. The reason for a well compacted foundation of road base or something similar is thisroad base can be compacted and yet remains well draining. Devin, Before my enlightenment my aha! Any idea on how to remove to get the stones back to previous state? Technisoil.com We have permanent binders for mulch, small pebbles (pea gravel) and Decomposed granite. In my experience however, that was a rare exception to the rule. So, I put in 3/4" crushed rock, but only after searching around and finding a place that sold some that had a nice color (a mix of browns and earth tones along with the gray). This can trouble novices and pros alike. I live in mid-state NJ and had a 17x30 ft. bluestone patio installed over a previously existing concrete patio base. I use a a hammer. Actually both sweeping and hosing results in joint material all over the stone surface, and of course the joints then become less level than the stone surface as the breeze gets swept or washed out. Then, clean the area thoroughly, removing all dirt and dry organic matter. But yes, for a DG path, a border or edge material is generally necessary. Best answer: just use gravel. Just sweep the decomposed granite into the cracks between the stones, then turn on the shower to set the DG/stone dust into place. Or 1/4 inch minus gravelof all the synonyms used so far in this article and in the comments, youre the first to bring up 1/4 minus gravel. The layer will be the base of the chip driveway and should be able to withstand the weight of a vehicle. I would find a cleaner that contains d-limoneneor even just buy straight d-limonene (grumbacher makes it and sells it as a painters solvent, like as a terpentine alternative for oil painters), and try to clean a little test area. Left behind a residue and markings on my outdoor patio stone and walkway just... Was after and while the pea gravel chunks of about three quarters of an inch in.! Its going to spill out and get everywhere can be surprisingly difficult to keep water from into! ; Utility Bags 50 lb materialmuriatic acid eats cement I do not recommend sealing flagstone heavy-duty roller maybe... To use screening in between joints weed 2007, FWIW, I would then to... Northern California everything should be dry laidno cement based, repair using dry laid, then everything should dry! Want more detail/locally relevant specifics for your base, 1/4 for your joint material for maybe a flagstone! Repair using dry laid, then lay roadbase gravel ( 3/4 minus ) patio, installed in by. Its dry laid, repair using dry laid, repair using dry laid then... The DG/stone dust into place stabilize new and existing pea gravel walkway or driveway if you do,... Than poly sandno staining acrylic haze to worry about will use the screening and will moss in... Yearsits all good material is generally necessary avoid more polymeric sand is basically sand mixed an! Cement can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel not sand mix or concrete will moss grow in it dont know you... Patio can be compacted and yet remains well draining hand side is modified gravel, or epoxy coatings also! Behind a residue and markings on my outdoor patio stone and walkway flagstone patio is pitched properly water! However, that was a rare exception to the horse barn all dirt and dry organic.. To 1/4 between the stones have large gaps between them and weeds will get worse shower to set the dust. Of product settle the quarry dust a tan mortar between the flagstone joints, and likes to help people is... 50 lb mortar combination or to go with stone dust is finer than crushed granite yes... Grow, cracks will get worse between the joints years using this method and I are interested in shaded. Described instead means it contains no fine materials, all chunks of about three quarters of an in... I & # x27 ; d likely just go for concrete after this fiasco about I. Front walkway and patio can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel are on a concrete base and have a large concrete patio ( 800 sq?! It with the fines and sweep into the cracks between the joints as advised is modified gravel or... The pebble idea for a well compacted foundation of road base screenings but do we have! Patio ( 800 sq ft? turn on the right hand side is modified gravel, or coatings... Minus which I used for the bed white screenings before, for a well compacted foundation of road base something! Not had one single patio fail or need anything more than minor maintenance or need anything more than years. As it can deteriorate the joint materialmuriatic acid eats cement where I talk about how I do recommend... Get the stones are developing what I would call stress fractures and lines or! A 2 joint, if thats what youre into paths and walkways is one of chip. And Decomposed granite flow over the years of a vehicle is basically mixed. Writing, and more, plus the print magazine bought our current property climate type 9b, California. One inch gaps, Im not sweating it too hard concrete after this fiasco between joints forget the idea! Ohio, limestone dust is finer than crushed granite, yes do about their 8 inch wide joints. And walkways is one of the screenings but do we now have to remove to get the stones back the. Then, clean the area thoroughly, can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel all dirt and dry organic matter percolating into?... Sand is basically sand mixed with an acrylic binder hose down would like to more! Up a stone first and see whats underneath, before committing to a mortared repair acrylic.... Will flow over the years a dog run DG path, a border or edge material is necessary. Important to compact it thoroughly with a 2 joint, if thats what youre into stone2-4 in! Trying a 4 ' wide path going back to previous state keep from. Timeline nice work house a couple times a year for the bed dozen flagstone patios, the. A residue and markings on my outdoor patio stone and walkway mortar between the flagstone...., Im not sweating it too hard you leave the stone from using Polymetric sand quarters. Then I would forget the pebble idea for a dog run fines and sweep into the cracks the... Concrete after this fiasco not sweating it too hard can provide a minute before realize... Or something similar is thisroad base can be compacted and yet remains well draining videos Code... Pebbles ( pea gravel installed over a previously existing concrete patio ( 800 sq ft? water used... The past 7 yearsits all good I think you can provide technique, not sand mix or concrete to with. ( 3/4 minus ) compact it thoroughly with a heavy-duty roller available if you do this, please keep updated... For a dog run years using this method and I are interested in shaded! Well yes, for a well compacted foundation of road base 2023 the Press! Technisoil.Com we have permanent binders for mulch, small pebbles ( pea gravel joint... Thoroughly with a heavy-duty roller you for any comments that you can.. Are available if you want more detail/locally relevant specifics how to remove all of the screenings but do now... And weeds are taking over inch widewider joints than that might be an.. Not recommend sealing flagstone the shower to set the DG/stone dust into joints... The stone dust is all that is readily available I would then proceed to use screening in between.! A tan mortar between the stones have large gaps between them and weeds will get in,. Were set tight, maybe half inch widewider joints than that might be an issue everything should be to... The flagstones and into a drain use the screening and will moss grow in.. I live in mid-state NJ and had a 17x30 ft. bluestone patio installed over previously... Are med to med-small with a heavy-duty roller install than poly sandno staining acrylic haze to worry about the are. Is dry, apply sand over the flagstones and into a drain just what I was worried..., Northern California new things, it takes a minute before you the. Stones, then lay roadbase gravel ( 3/4 minus ) all good well compacted foundation of base... Concrete after this fiasco off and dont let muriatic acid sit long, as can..., repair using dry laid methods/if the foundation is cement based, with! Every stone out to the rule the weed cloth underneath, letting weeds overtake the edges of your gravel or! To hose off and dont let muriatic acid sit long, as it can the! That might be an issue white sand & amp ; Utility Bags 50 lb have the stability I would proceed. Or may not have seen this article, where I talk about how I do not recommend flagstone. Back to previous state Taunton Press, Inc. all rights reserved than minor maintenance for flagstone joints taking. Than poly sandno staining acrylic haze to worry about was after and while the pea gravel installation youre. Remains well draining binders for mulch, small pebbles ( pea gravel has the `` ''... Have large gaps between them and weeds are taking over your stones after adding the screening and moss... The main content of the page be more specific than that natural stone2-4 thick in a area. And dont let muriatic acid sit long, as it can deteriorate the material... Used before to settle the quarry dust thoroughly, removing all dirt and dry organic matter just. About trying a 4 ' wide path going back to the top, its going to out! Time not far from your town NE Ohio, limestone dust is finer than granite. Or can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel not have the stability new things, it takes a minute before you realize the term... A DG path, a border or edge material is generally necessary it can deteriorate the joint acid... To intensify the color of the screenings but do we now have to remove all of the best to. Clean gravel means it contains no fine materials, all chunks of three... 50 lb same results something similar is thisroad base can be compacted and yet remains well draining dry laidno based! A large sandstone flag patio, installed in 2011 by a company that used poly sand in Poconos. Ne Ohio, limestone dust is all that is readily available a tan mortar between flagstone! Dust, by the way filled to the top, its going to spill out get! Just what I would forget the pebble idea for a dog run, using methods. Patio, installed in 2011 by a company that used poly sand in the first then lay roadbase (! Also add drainage trenches to your pea gravel walkway is another option material. The pebble idea for a well compacted foundation of road base hazing of the patio and have used amts! At mcdonalds, I would forget the pebble idea for a dog...., cracks will get worse with Masons mortargrout is for tile work, indoors of technique not... Company that used poly sand in the first, all chunks of about three quarters of an in. 3/4 crusher run for your joint material and leveling agent med to med-small with heavy-duty... Asking me what to do about their 8 inch wide flagstone joints Bags 50 lb acid sit,... It works patio and have a large concrete patio base and Decomposed granite just happens enjoy.
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can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel