How to Lay a small Patio & Point it

[@rockyrowlands3652]

I used some slurry underneath my circle slabs , but I do tend to over engineer my work. If laying porcelain slabs a slurry is a must.

[@naturalhabitatlandscaping3681]

👍😀

[@zappa6366]

really enjoy your videos. I like that they are not sped up and show it all in real time. I have never laid slabs like this, only ever done 3x2 and 2x2 50mm thick. These look a lot more forgiving on your back haha and if its not right, far easier to re-adjust. I'll be laying my first circle paving just like this, surrounded by gravel for a client soon-ish, so this is a big help. Quick question, do you just use sharp sand and cement or do you use additives too? any tips are much appreciated. thanks!

[@naturalhabitatlandscaping3681]

@@zappa6366 Hi, those 3x2s are a killer on the back!😩 Someone left a comment on one of my other videos that they are 65kg each! I use a sharp sand and cement wet mortar mix. It doesn’t need to be any stronger than 5-1 and use a little plasticiser (or a squeeze of fairy liquid will do the same job😉) It’s recommended that you use a slurry to the back of the slab. You can make your own rather than buy it. Put some water in a bucket and add dry cement powder and I use a dash of SBR or PVA to act as a bonding agent. Mix into a sloppy paste and apply to the back of the paving slab. Hope the project goes well and thanks for watching😀

[@zappa6366]

@@naturalhabitatlandscaping3681 yeah thats right, I remember one of the suppliers saying they are about 70Kg, bloody feels like it! lol. So 4:1 to 5:1 is good enough. Thank you for the advice with mixing/ additives I'll be testing that out beforehand. I've never used a slurry is there a real difference with longevity? Definitely be watching more, thanks!

[@naturalhabitatlandscaping3681]

@@zappa6366 Yeah, 5-1 is strong enough under paving. Honestly speaking ... the merits of slurry mix is debateable i think.🤫 I've been laying slabs for years and I've returned to some patios I laid donkeys years ago before it was a thing and they are absolutely fine, no movement at all. so, ... use your own judgement!😀

[@zappa6366]

@@naturalhabitatlandscaping3681 I have the same attitude too. Some people make it out to be a real science etc but I think at the end of the day, its cement under a slab. I believe the foundation are more important. thanks you for your help, take care!

[@zappa6366]

@@naturalhabitatlandscaping3681 I have the same attitude too. Some people make it out to be a real science etc but I think at the end of the day, its cement under a slab. I believe the foundation are more important. thanks you for your help, take care!

[@RichardHolloway-l6p]

Please could you explain why you put a membrane beneath the slabs. I have never seen anyone do this before.

[@naturalhabitatlandscaping3681]

Hi Richard, two reasons really: 1. The heavy duty membrane acts a bit like a fabric mat to ensure there is no movement to the mortar bed. I don't normally use it when I'm laying slabs but, as I say in the video this site was a really wet one so belt and braces. 2. It was easier to place the weed membrane in at this point as the rest of the garden was going to be dressed with decorative gravel so no need to cut around all the slab work etc. Hope that answers your question😀

[@rockyrowlands3652]

@@naturalhabitatlandscaping3681 Totally agree, I also put a membrane down and it worth its weight in gold and for the reasons you have given.

[@RichardHolloway-l6p]

I assume the weight of it means it wont have any movement.

[@naturalhabitatlandscaping3681]

👍

[@jezd8431]

What ratio for mix did you use?

[@naturalhabitatlandscaping3681]

4-1 😀

[@RichardHolloway-l6p]

I would have thought it would weaken the fix.

[@naturalhabitatlandscaping3681]

I refer to my second answer😂