How to install a Flagstone Patio. Back to my Roots

My friend Aaron was working on a job that had a flagstone patio that was unusable. So he asked me to come up and turn it into usable patio space. In this video I show you a little taste of what I used to do.
#howtoinstallflagstonepatio, #outdoorlivingspace

[@qboogie]

I am soloing this same project right now using the existing stones of varying thickness. It's so tough on the back and knees. It takes a lot of brainwork and spatial organization to preserve the large slabs and minimize tiny pieces and acute triangles.

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Yes it is tedious!! It's much easier if they're all the same thickness then you just put your base down lay the stones cut your seams and away you go.. it's so hard to be consistent with your base when you're constantly raising each Stone up and down!! Good luck with it I hope it all works out for you my friend. 💪👍😉

[@KRE03051]

I'm doing the same thing right now. Very slow going..and man, does my back and knees ache! Lol

[@BrandonTran]

Haha yep same here! 200 sq ft worth of flagstones. All different thicknesses and cutting with a grinder and chisel. Each evening ive put a few hours into the puzzle. So far about 15 hours worth of tedious work. Your project is beautiful. I’m in NC and I was going to do the concrete edge. I hope that’s ok. Bravo for this job!

[@olddiver]

What I love about you brother is you are 100% real. This is life and doing what we all need to do. More than that, it is using some pretty amazing skills to help others… awesome job. I am completely hooked’ on your fishing videos but more so on the quality man and family you all are. This is why you are so widely admired! 👍😉🇺🇸🙏🏻

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

I appreciate that Lance💓🤍💙

[@nordicprince6186]

That's well said. Yes he and his whole family is the real deal. Good honest folks. I'm sorry I forget names but his kids are into the fishing. I'm sorry but his daughter is like the best fun because she is so into the catch and animated and yes she is no way giving up. Like that Barracuda, she ain't letting go for peanuts ! She cracked me up and made me laugh but then I realised she will have a boat someday and she will look at men trying to be cool and she will be like "give me a break" . I reckon those kids whatever they do will do just fine. Pretty sure of that .

[@nordicprince6186]

Sorry forgot you name and then "Ellie" all the best to you. Your Mum and Dad are the best. Someday maybe you or your bro could be skipper easy. Your all an awesome family and love your beautiful clear videos. Teamwork! Thank you so much. Love to you all from Scotland.x

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

💗🤞 Thank you so much!

[@lc6646]

Looks beautiful, great work!

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Thank you so much 😀

[@victoriagreenlawncarelands6836]

Im in Illinois would you use pollysand for flagstone?

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Absolutely I would use that just make sure you buy the right stuff depending on the width of the joints! I used it for 25 years in Michigan so same climate it is made to expand and contract with the frost. Just got to follow the instructions and make sure you get the right product, 1-inch gaps and smaller and others are 1 inch and larger gaps that's very important!

[@amberjay5361]

Man. Thank you so much for making this video. I’m 36. Stay at home wife trying to tackle projects at our first home. I have cried so many times trying to work on our patio fire pit area. I appreciate your honesty when showing us how to remove the stone over and over and use the hand tamper until it’s set. I’m the kind of person who needs to see as much as possible and know what problems could come up. Thank you so much. I wish I could email you the massive while I’ve dug out around my fire pit. It’s on a slope and I want to keep it that way for drainage. I live in tennessee so we have thick red clay. I wanted to make a seating wall on one side, but that may prove to be too difficult for me. It’s scary trying new things, but your video is a great help! Thank you.

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

grades and slopes are hard! you only need a little bit of slope for the water too much makes things awkward to walk on or to sit, sometimes couple steaks and a string line level can help you visualize your elevation changes. props to you for tackling a big project like that, I'm sure the final results will be well worth your efforts👍💪

[@Noahlindsay88]

When you mentioned, you wouldn’t do the cement border around the patio if you were up North. What would you do differently then? If you were up north for the cement curve border

[@anjaniagrawal5648]

That was some great work. Can you tell me what you would do differently for a flagstone patio for michigan winter?

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

I normally will use 4 to 5in of crushed stone for the base and compact it every 2 inches when installing it. Then finish with stone dust at 1in as needed that will prevent the frost from heaving the stone. Thank you and hope that help!

[@charleskilway711]

Hi Steve Love your channel, I'm building a Flagstone Patio at my home in Ft Worth and I know most of the stone was existing but curious what type of stone was used for this patio, beautiful colors. Also do you have a favorite Stone when you used to build them. Thanks Chuck

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Thank you and I cant remember the name but my favorites are NY Blue stone the select blue did thousands of square feet of that!

[@luissapple1]

Overall great quality video. One comment. The polymeric sand used is rated for up to 1" gap. I would look at garden suppliers that carry higher quality sand that are rated for up to 4, because some of those gaps look at least 2" wide.

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Yeah I know but the guy I was doing the job for bought that he was having a hard time finding it. I've been using that stuff since the very beginning of its existence 😂 I remember 25 years ago mixing the powder into the sand in a wheelbarrow 🤣

[@ricardothelionhearted3725]

Thank you for the video,first and foremost.I was curious,what do you charge the customer for your time and effoert,etc?Thanks in advance.

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Nearly depends on the project, level of experience. But 65 an hour or more if equipment is needed. Thanks for checking it out.

[@thevozz]

Awesome job dude..Quality work! I think I'm more impressed though with your beard growing skills..lol

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

@@thevozz 🤣🤣👍

[@ebtsuj7590]

Great work! Idk if I would use Poly sand tho, had a couple of bad experiences with it, went to using mortar only on flagstone and use the poly on pavers. Again tho, great job

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Yes it depends on the quality of the poly sand and the type of application or size of the gaps IT CAN BE TRICKY!

[@davidlewis2681]

Wow!!! So gorgeous!! You do great work ,!!

[@therayen]

First of all, thank you for the awesome video! It inspired me to install flagstones in my backyard (the Netherlands). I do wonder if I’m on the right track, as my backyard has clay soil. My plan is: 01. 12-inch compacted layer of white sand. 02. Screeding to create proper slope. 03. Spreading some paving sand to set the flagstones. 04. Sweeping in polymeric sand and activating it. I hope to achieve a non-destructive installation that remains solid for years but allows the flagstones to be adjusted if they sink over time.

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

@@therayen 👍 good luck I hope it turns out like you want it to 💪

[@therayen]

@@vanderbaanswildlife Thanks!

[@ryanhansen8312]

How much would it cost to put a gutter on the house... Good gosh. Nice work Vander Baan!

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Not sure but some homes are not designed to have gutters and look better without. But it helps cut down on the erosion and I TRY to push for them but even if they have gutters we still need to accommodate for run of and water is destructive 💪 Thanks for watching!

[@Z06ChevyVette]

It turned out badazz brother!!!!!🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤜🏼🤛🏼 So you’re actually much more than a sport fisherman who loves lobster!!!!🤙🏼

[@dragoscojocaru3763]

Awesome presentation 👏 man....props!! and it came out cherry

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

I appreciate it! It was fun.

[@chriskey6057]

Hell yeah brother 💪👊 from fishin to stone masonin good job

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

🤙Thank you my friend!

[@mdacosta7013]

For a how to video this sucks you talked way too much but said nothing important

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

😂🤣😂🤣😂 well that's funny! I don't think it would much matter for you! I could have drawn up a blueprint and instructions for you with your crayons but you probably already ate them 🥴 you probably would have your old lady do it anyways 😉

[@dariushjokar]

Hello uncle Steve , good job very good 👍 love you from Iran 🇮🇷 ❤️🇮🇷❤️🇺🇸

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Hay Dariush good to hear from you !!!!!!

[@tracymicheal2096]

Can you use the poly sand on a concrete slab for the joints with flagstone or vest to mortar them in on the concrete slab?

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Yes it's a good choice but make sure you get the right type of sand based on the size of the joints you are trying to fill! Some are made for 2/3inch some for smaller ones! Pressure wash the first and use a quality P s Good luck! 👍

[@tracymicheal2096]

@@vanderbaanswildlife Ok thanks, good to know that joints are good size. Would you then use a mortar to level the flagstone on slab , or which product recommended if to use the PS for joints , as this could make the job a lot easier with the PS- thanks again

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

@@tracymicheal2096 if they are on a slab you would be best to use mortar and do a mortar joint just clean it up with a wet sponge as you go, I usually use a 5-gallon bucket of clean water and a sponge and as I motor the joints I want the edges down.

[@tracymicheal2096]

@@vanderbaanswildlife Ok very good thank you for all your advice

[@DINHVANTAM-QTRI]

Good job

[@bikingviking3984]

"thumbs are strong", lol!!!! As a parent, I hear that loud and clear... kudos on a job well done from an ex Floridian, now out in the woods of Maine.

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Being from Massachusetts my wife and I were going to move to Maine but then settled on Florida, but it was 40 degrees today in the morning 🥶. My blood has thinned! We love Maine but the cold weather made our choice a little easier 🌴🌞🐊🐬🐟.

[@landonlandon5533]

Beard. No beard. Beard. Lol.

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

It is a curse🤣

[@anlu3365]

When can you come to Virginia and help me get a patio like that? That’s my dream patio!!!

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

😂 I wish I could, I miss doing that stuff full time!

[@jonker72987]

I don’t think from the video people can appreciate how long that takes. How many hours did you have into that?

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Very true Jeff! I worked on it by my self and had over 40 man Hrs.

[@kevin6385]

Real nice job bro. You definitely know what you're doing. I'd hire you but in Canada hahah. Cheers

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

I appreciate that! Thank you Kevin that means a lot to me brother!

[@megiab]

my kids' thumbs are also very strong 😊. couple years late, but thanks for this

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

You’re welcome 😊

[@myklanthony]

you should try one of the handheld electric suction cup to lift the stone. Best purchase ever.

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Great idea!

[@michaelromero1210]

Very nice!!

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Thanks!

[@fatlou_dabarber565]

Nice!!!! Multi talented that's wassup great job MAN

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Appreciate it!! Hope you are well my friend!!

[@ozz530]

Skills brother...great tangent...I would definitely watch a restoration/ outdoors channel

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

I appreciate that I have been thinking about that!!!!

[@ivansossa2039]

Buen trabajo,felicitaciones.

[@rickashford4005]

Ellie looks like she's about as excited as getting a root canal!! LOL!!!

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂YUP work will do that to a kid!!

[@gabrielgonzales8163]

El.ranchero Work like♡

[@free2roam492]

Just had our above ground pool remove and now we are gonna try putting a flagstone patio in its place. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

That is awesome! If you have any questions I would love to help..

[@exile9237]

Looks very nice! Would that stone have to be sealed?

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

No it will be fine but you could. Thank you 👍

[@BHG1558]

Great job on this brother. I was half-expecting a stone catch and cook lol

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Next time!😂🤣 Thank you my friend!

FANTASTIC JOB. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS. AWESOME PLACE.

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Thank you! You too!

[@nordicprince6186]

Yeah stones is looking good brother. Nice work imo.

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Much appreciated

[@Croy617]

What do you charge for a job like that if you don’t mind me asking?

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Probably 45 dollars a square ft but it depends on the job.

[@ericcorvers1743]

great vid! Love the catfish break ! Well done man.

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Thank you, them walking catfish are crazy!

[@ianmaddams9577]

That’s back breaking work right there. Did this myself for 20x yrs . And now paying for it . Just had my 3rd back surgery over 20 screws and multiple titanium rods to keep me upright now🙈 .But that was one nice job you done there buddy do you not hook up any water suppression to the stihl daw to keep dust down ? Great video as always 👍🏻

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

The dust is a problem for sure! I don't like dragging the hose around and gets the base all muddy! My back has held up well over the years I thank God for that, nothing worse then a bad back I feel for you brother😣✌

[@ianmaddams9577]

@@vanderbaanswildlife you are truly blessed and I just want to say again your attitude to life is inspiring and you have an amazing family. And I wish you every success in your life 🙏

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Thank you for that my friend🙏God bless!!

[@shawnwoloschuk4445]

Right on Vander Baan, nice to see you still have it my friend !

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Thanks again! It is a little bit different down here with the heat😂

[@Mangold2865]

Dreamy background music for a dreamy guy 😍

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

🤣

[@jasonberezny9705]

Excellent work.⚒️🪨🇨🇦

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Thank you kindly

[@ajrolfs]

Hey Steve, wanna do my patio?! Haha 😂

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Yes I do!!!!

[@dirtyernie65]

Nice work! Good luck fishing

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Thanks 👍

[@ThuyPham-lr5dc]

Beautiful pro job!

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Thank you!

[@kinnish5267]

great thanks good work

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

👍✌

[@Ce-acatl7704]

Beautiful 👍

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Thank you 😊

[@jenniferhansen7616]

Thanks!

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Wow thank you so much!!

[@Andrew-2502]

That’s some artistry

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Thank you for that!

[@kilofox13]

Amazing transformation. You do quality work!

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

I appreciate that!

[@AdvancedLawn]

Subscribed. We are a landscape construct businesses in Jacksonville. We’re from Maine.

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Nice👍 Cool not to have to worry about the frost when doing this work down here!!

[@nebilmrad4386]

Excellent

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Thank for that!!

[@melindalawler418]

That looks good 👍

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Thank you!

[@melindalawler418]

@@vanderbaanswildlife no problem

[@hamedfetusgrinder]

SUPP BRO \m/

[@vanderbaanswildlife]

Supp!!