How to Lay a Rock Patio

If you want to add value to your home and get a great space for entertaining, a rock patio is the perfect addition to any backyard. This is not a difficult task, and with the right tools and techniques, you can easily build your patio in about a weekend; here's how.

Things You'll Need

• Flagstones
• Sand
• Back brace
• Gloves
• Measuring tape
• Rake
• Shovel
• Landscaping material
• Broom

Instructions

1. Select the site for your new rock patio. Special attention should be paid to drainage at this point. If your ground slopes towards your house, you will need to build that up to prevent possible flooding. Once you have your site selected, you will know how many materials to purchase. Measure it out and mark it off clearly so there is no confusion later on.

2. Prepare the site. You will need to remove any vegetation from the site, and make sure that it is level before proceeding with your rock patio construction. You can do this with a simple rake and a shovel. Dig a few inches into the ground, so that your entire area for the patio is carved out. Smooth over the dig site with your rake.

3. Add your landscaping material. You'll want to place landscaping material at the bottom of your prepared area. This will prevent weeds and grass from growing up in between your stones after your patio is complete.

4. Pour the sand. Add a few inches of sand into the prepared site, taking special care to tamp it down. You should leave enough space so that your flagstones will sit level with the rest of the ground. Measure your flagstones and then add enough sand to leave the proper amount of space. Tamp and smooth the sand down again.

5. Place the stones. If you are working with irregular flagstones, you can place them in any pattern you would like. For regular flagstones, begin in one corner of your area and keep adding them until it is complete. Tamp down all of the stones once you are finished.

6. Finish up. To make sure that your stones stay in place, you will want to add your remaining sand into any spaces between the stones. Pour the sand onto your new rock patio and sweep it into the cracks.