Then I carefully used light spraying of water over the joints ensuring they were fully saturated to the full depth of the joint. I have glass on it, but some 3-dimensional objects too. Then, use a toothbrush and water to clean the tiles. Note: Wait 7-10 days before applying pressure to the stone. It is washing out. 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. Here you can buy grey gravel, red gravel and cream colored gravel.stone dust is available in those very same colors, because stone dust is graveljust smaller. Your thoughts please? Does this sound like an acceptable solution? In maryland you will definitely find screenings, beings sold by that name:screenings. Cool, Im glad that worked out from youand Ill use those two flagstone photos, for next time someone asks a similar question. 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. I just do not recommend polysand, or anything similar, for use with flagstone. I dissuade all of my clients from using polymeric sand. I used the granite sand as my leveling layer, too. The softer the ceramic tile, the more susceptible it will be to frost damage. 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. If things settle down I sure will try something fun! I just installed a granite flagstone walkway. The red, being more rare, is sometimes available in bagged form, in garden centers, but not in bulk at the mason supply places or quarries (where I usually get my screenings, because as a contractor, Im usually buying at least a yard.). Polymeric sand, or poly-sand seemed great at first. You can use stone dust in wider joints.Ive done so, once or twice and whereas I wasnt super happy about the way it looked, it did end up functioning well. My husband who is a builder always goes to the product, which i always talk him out of, but cement is one that I cant seem to stop him from. Void formsstone sinkssolid joint sits above voidjoint cracks. If theres a concrete foundation, then sure. Working time is very much affected by how dry the air is. See disclosures for details. Great article any concerns with using decomposed granite within a flagstone patio around a pool deck? Would you advise just sealing the mortar? I am working on a cement slab about 15 by 25 Im putting glass mosaic down. Anyway, I would like some advice on how you achieve such tight joints. Or let it happen on its own. 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. The steps are currently on cinderblocks. Wow thanks for those great articles! Just hose the patio down real well. Back and forthsweep in, hose down, leaf blower, I recommend that you check out this article as well: patio maintenance. Dont cover that steak in big mac sauce. Greetings! Theres white screeningswhich is more a cream/off white color. Which is ideal for large joints? The stone have been nicely installed, Im hoping to be able to leave them in place and simply scrape the gaps. Seen it before and everyones gift is unique. Sweeping dg into the joints again, because some voids will have appeared after the first hose down, then hosing down again. It helps to place the paper pattern onto the mold first. I first started seeing this stuff about fifteen years ago. Anyway, Id re-fit the stones. Or any Masonry supply place. It appears that they ripped 2x 6 in half so that they had 1.5x 2-3/4 material. Do you recommend a sealer be applied at all? and then we would lay down the stone and grout the joints with the gravel. DIY flagstone help and phone consultations, in stone dust and use stone dust as a joint material, simply pour boiling water on the unwanted plants, https://www.devineescapes.com/flagstone-repair-explained/, https://www.devineescapes.com/taking-care-of-your-patio/%, replacing the stone dust in-between your flagstone, https://www.devineescapes.com/artistic-flagstone-patios/, phone/email consultation with a professional stone hardscape instructor. I am wondering if i am able to repurpose an old garden concrete seat, which original had some type of design, such as mosaic but thinner. Im not sure what was put between them at the time. Im in the process of laying flagstone over an existing sidewalk. I just need big money plus artistic license/free reign! The stones are fairly thick, 2-3thanks. So you may or may not have seen this article, where I talk about how I do not recommend sealing flagstone. I like your views and outlook so poly is out and screenings are in.not very keen on chemicals where the barefoot grandson walks! You cant really hide the edge thoughso dont bother trying to hide it, but go with an edge that you like the look of. Based on the photos, it seems they didnt remove all the mortar, more a partial job? I have tried poly sand (with the correct amts of watering)but find that the sand forms a crust, other areas may be soft and mushy, and if I dig down it is not solid. My brother suggested sand? That doesnt mean that they certainly wont work.but as a professional, they wouldnt usually be my first pick. Joe. If a project interests me I can be convinced to travel. Love your artwork with stone. Thank you again and Best Regards! And Ive had to repair and replace many such patios.same effect happens when someone decides to cement together the cap of a dry stone wall. Mosaic Stepping Stones are a wonderful mosaic project, suitable for both beginners and experienced mosaicists alike. However, if you are telling me that you have 6 of compacted road base type gravel in place, and your flagstones are on top of that, with some sand as the leveling agent..then idk, but as a professional who cant afford to have my reputation messed withId take those flagstones back up and lay in screenings. AM I missing anything? Thank you for any comments that you can provide. Then gently give it a few taps with a mallet to seat it into place. That number will improve, over the months, as stones settle in. After 4 months, it starts to have wavy driveway. An angle grinder or similar tool may be used. Sorry for the delayed responseIve been busy finishing up with the years work before the winter sets in. I consent to First Day of Home collecting and storing the data I submit in this form. I would then proceed to use screening in between joints. Unfortunately I got a 10 pound bag of mortar and it does not fully fill the form which is like 16 inches in diameter. Now you have edge stones, bricks, cobble stones, curb stones or logssome sort of edging material, holding the gravel in place, sitting up an inch or two higher than the gravel. 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. Ive never seen any ratio of cement to stone dust/sand that works. Thoughts on that? Hi Devin. Theres also some mention of stabilized decomposed granite. Do a search for how to propagate moss. Thank you very much. Will take longer to install, but can be made to look real nice. Do you have any thought on how to make the surface more solid so particles do not get blown or washed out? It was wet out today and all the beautiful color of the flagstone was showing nicely where I have not used poly sand on the joints; but in the areas where I used poly sand it all has a dull haze and the natural colors just dont come through. Perhaps some mix of local materials may work, but it all depends on what materials are available and what color pallet we are working with. Separation will happen. Do you use cold chisels or is a hammer enough? 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. On the surface, no pun intended, it seems like a bullet proof option but for my flag stone patio Im going with the stone dust option! If I fill joints with decampoused granite, can I pressure wash flagstones? 2022 First Day of Home Sage Theme by Restored 316 Privacy Policy. Id make the stones fit well first (assuming that the polymeric sand users left big gaps like they usually do), with a half inch (or so) gap between the stones. kit includes everything u need: 3 molds, 6 paints, 1 paint brush, 1 pair of gloves, 1 face mask, 3 bags of plaster, 1 tube of glitter, 1 mixing tool, 10 gem stones, instructions. In Colorado, I believe they are sold as crusher fines. After only 2 months the patio has developed a cavity probably 12-18 deep with an oblong hole in the sand about 6 long. Most anything youd want to plant in between flagstones will grow in a 50/50 soil/stone dust mix. Ive never known a patio to be be pressure washed more often then maybe once a decade or soMost home owners never once pressure wash their flagstones, so it is usually a non-issue. Well, its fairly easy, but you have to becarefulthe sand is mixed with a binder. D-limonene. Stapables.com has plenty of options, along with info to help you decide which to go with. Remove all the polymeric sand from in between the flagstonesget it all out of there. Everywhere where theres a quarry, youll find this product.perhaps with different local names. Keep the joint material just shy of the tops of your stones, an eighth inch or quarter inch lowdo this, and your problem will be solved. in the cracks thinking the soil and plants will help hold the stones in place. The joint however stays put.now you have a hollow void, either underneath the stone, or just beneath the joint. If the gator dust is failing so soon, AND there is such a gigantic cavity forming, one can imagine that there must be something wrong with the gravel foundation beneath the flagstones. Do you think I should cement the tread on top of the cement riser? Also can I expect your comment via email or simply on this site? And thank you for bringing me 1/2 to 3/4 stone joints. You simply sweep the material into the flagstone (or other paver) joints, lightly hose down, then it solidifies. Use a putty knife or wooden craft stick to smooth the surface of the mix. And thank you Good luck with your flagstone project! Do you have any recommendations on my project? So far we have tried aggressive scrubbing test areas with soap and water, aggressive scrubbing with a 50/50 bleach mixture, and also with a powerful house siding cleaning mixtureall with no luck, the same haze remains. I am filling 1/2 3/4 joints in flagstone. Do we start over? You can sand any rough edges of your finished stone with high grit sandpaper or the edge of a screwdriver if necessary. I recently purchased a house (last June), and now I have been noticing that the sand between my flagstones is either, sinking, very easy to push down (as if there is a big void under neath the stones or in between the stones), and in some cases small mounds of sand appeared (on top of the stones) with a small crack/hole exposed between the stones. Polymeric sand is no good. I love the back and forth in the comments section. Garden center. Thanks for any help you can provide. Tip: No matter which type of mold you use, make sure you coat it with non-stick cooking spray or petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to ensure that the hardened concrete stone can be removed easily.Sources of Improvised Molds: There are two ways to use a stepping stone mold. I recommend screeningswhich are 1/8 inch and smallerand contain the very important finesflour-like, powdery stone dust. 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. Remove the mortar with an angle grinder and chisel/large flatheat screwdriver. I then will use the 1/8 to 1/4 between the joints as advised. So my answer involves work. (Note: I am not a professional, but love to DYI landscape). They took the quick easy way outand left large gaps to be filled with sand. Its only a half inch deep. pressure washing will definitely break screenings/decomposed granite loose from the joints. Avoid terracotta, glazed ceramic bathroom tile and anything that easily breaks. Thank you for a helpful and thouogh guide. Instead, make something original by pressing your own designs of small tile into wet concrete, and be confident that whatever skill you lack may actually add to the originality and charm of what you make. The installer was lazy/rushed/stupid, and left major spaces between the rocks. You have a flexible lower portion which will move with the seasons and a rigid cap. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Once all the stones are laid, sweep more screenings into the joints. I can say without reservation that you should repair the flagstone patio that you haveand never replace it with stamped concrete. Ive always seen travertine fit snug with no joint, no joint material.or, with some sort of product that I dont use. A gap much wider than half an inch will become a minor puddle spotand that water will go down into the ground. If you live in a place with cold freezing winters, you can increase their life by bringing in during the winter or cleaning and resealing every few years. It is an excellent material for leveling out your flagstonesthe best in my opinion, and likewise it is the best joint filler for flagstones. Devin, You are absolutely the best source of info concerning flagstone installation. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Good luck with your flagstone project! These make great bases for mosaic stepping stones even if you are wanting to press tile into wet concrete instead of cementing the tile to a rigid surface and then grouting later. Thank you for your devotion to this subject. Good evening, The location is climate type 9b, Northern California. I would like to use something called a tumbled Colorado Red Stepper which is relatively small compared to other stones. I was wondering how best to address a potential problem as winter is approaching. Instead of putting the china on the concrete seat, I would make stepping stones that could be brought in during the winter. 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. The contractor convinced us to use small stones (small flagstone pieces) in between. Hi Devin. Nor would I use any sort of caulk. But wait, the limestone dust that you have access to is just flour? Most of all, I love sharing these hobbies with others around the world. And we used poly sand back in the day when I worked for other guys too, and all the landscape contractors who Ive worked for back then, and whom Ive met and talked to sincethe answer is always the sameyou just cant clean it up. Your email address will not be published. Wait, wait, youre saying lots of stones move when stepped on. But it should work well enough, yes. Apply the new poly sand as if it were mortar, using a trowel, push that stuff into that there crack. Sorry, this website is all about natural stone. Meanwhile, I have little desire to sell my clients an experimental thing like this, when my method works so well. Most of my jobs are in Pennsylvania. Then maybe Id write an article and update it once a year, reporting on how it performs and how to best maintain it. Push down on it, one corner of the stone at a time. I a, not sure what or how the original owners did the flagstone patio. And that is your preference? Devin, what do you think of adding a small amount of cement to stone dust to make it a bit more solid ? Then I pound that stone down, using a deadblow type mallet. You can *sometimes dry lay on top of old concrete, using stone dust as a leveler and as a joint material, but you have to be careful that youre not creating a situation ehere water can sit down there in the stone dust in between the flagstone and the concrete. Then, gently tap the edges of the mold to release any air bubbles. I have thought of using the polymeric sand to keep out both as much as possible. On occasions when I have wanted red for in-between the flagstones, Ive just used grey for leveling, and purchased a smaller amount of the red. I did find limestone screenings on this website: http://www.greenbuilderssupply.net/pr_bulk_materials_dumping.htm. 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. I cut my glass putting glass at bottom of mold.can not find white cement anymore. Perhaps the stone dust/screenings in your area are different then what I have access to. Fill the joints with stone dust/aka screenings, decomposed granite, ectthe same stuff you should use to level the stones out with. Its popularity increased steadily for a decade and now it is a very common landscape product. Only now did I realize that I neglect to answer. But its not a small thing. As far as the gravel goes, crusher run is the stuff. Thanks for your reply. Were expanding the deck so were going to rescue the patio and relocate it. I have 4 large, thick stones for the 4 corners and many med-large stones interspersed for stability. Encourage moss to grow there. Stone dust will work. I plan to move every stone out to the opposite side and keep the pattern intact. We have to install the permeable pavers because it was required by the city. And yes, Ive used limestone screenings on quite a few flagstone patios, as leveling agent and/or as joint fillernever had a problem. You can use a pattern from a stepping stone kit or create your own pattern. Effort PA. Southern Poconos. Weed and ant proof. Be sure to hose off and dont let muriatic acid sit long, as it can deteriorate the joint materialmuriatic acid eats cement. We have a large sandstone flag patio, installed in 2011 by a company that used poly sand in the joints. I have a jar of small pieces of glass that I want to put on this piece of concrete and grout it. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but the two products should not be used interchangeably. Then, if I want to achieve a stained glass effect, can I grout with charcoal colored grout and do I use sanded or unsanded? Though it may require some maintenance, down the road. So first we plan to dig out and level the area, then lay down some coarse sand (tamp it) for drainage. Yes, I travel for work. This fun craft will make your garden our outdoor space look gorgeous just in time for summer. What do you suggest or have you had these problems also? Heres an article about removing and replacing the stone dust in-between your flagstone. There is no reason to raid the kitchen when all these other options are available. Not to be pendantic! Widen the cracks. Then you stick your tile UPSIDE DOWN onto the contact paper. It is good to know that pros have to take it stone-by-stone and be patient.