Posted by: dwain on April 24, 2001 at 22:07:09:

In Reply to: Re: flagstone patio Posted by: jqk on November 28, 2000 at 02:59:25:

: : My husband layed a patio with PA Bluestone. He was told to use cement with gravel in the joints. Of course, it didn't bond. What is best to use as mortar? He also used crushed coquina as a base. Could you let me know what to use as a base and also in the joints? We live in Central Florida, so there is no freezing but could have a problem with weeds coming through. Thank you
: What are you using this patio for? Is it shaded or full sun or mixed? Are you prepared to start over? If so, I'd use a cement slab as a base. If you have sun and shade you might get by with thinset with acrylic for grouting otherwise talk to the pros and see what they suggest for a full sun grout. Good luck.

I did a bluestone patio here in Charleston, SC and it has worked out well so far. I am now in the process of expanding it. I laid a 3 inch slab of Quikrete concrete with plenty of 3/8" rebar all inside it. Then I laid the bluestone on it using Quikrete mortar mix (Lowwe's) both under and between the bluestones. Clean up was time consuming and very important (to get nice clean stones) Do clean up the very next morning or that evening since after the mortar gets too hard it can be tough. I think that a good slab under the stone is essential. Time will tell. We do not have to worry about freezing here. That is a blessing. Good luck. D

Followups::

: : : My husband layed a patio with PA Bluestone. He was told to use cement with gravel in the joints. Of course, it didn't bond. What is best to use as mortar? He also used crushed coquina as a base. Could you let me know what to use as a base and also in the joints? We live in Central Florida, so there is no freezing but could have a problem with weeds coming through. Thank you : : What are you using this patio for? Is it shaded or full sun or mixed? Are you prepared to start over? If so, I'd use a cement slab as a base. If you have sun and shade you might get by with thinset with acrylic for grouting otherwise talk to the pros and see what they suggest for a full sun grout. Good luck. : I did a bluestone patio here in Charleston, SC and it has worked out well so far. I am now in the process of expanding it. I laid a 3 inch slab of Quikrete concrete with plenty of 3/8" rebar all inside it. Then I laid the bluestone on it using Quikrete mortar mix (Lowwe's) both under and between the bluestones. Clean up was time consuming and very important (to get nice clean stones) Do clean up the very next morning or that evening since after the mortar gets too hard it can be tough. I think that a good slab under the stone is essential. Time will tell. We do not have to worry about freezing here. That is a blessing. Good luck. D

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