How to Lay Tile Outside With No Concrete Slab
Indulge yourself with outdoor luxury you thought was reserved for movie stars. Now anyone can enjoy a fabulously beautiful outdoor tile patio. Create it yourself and without all the fuss of concrete. Almost everyone loves sand and associates it with relaxation and far-off, exotic places. So include sand in your new tile patio design for the best in ease and comfort. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Sand
- Tile
- Bubble level
- Construction level
- Shovel
- Rake
- Tamper
- Profiles
- String
Instructions
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1
Dig out the area where you want to place your tile patio. Dig to a depth of about six inches.
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2
Make profiles at each corner of the area, and attach string around the perimeter. Check that the string is level by attaching a bubble level to it. Adjust the string height as necessary.
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3
Level the area by raking and shoveling. Tamp the ground to settle it and to help even it out. Check that the ground is level using a construction level.
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4
Pour sand onto the tamped ground. The sand should be as high as the surrounding grass or ground. Smooth and flatten the sand with a rake as it is poured in.
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5
Spray the sand with a garden hose that has a fine nozzle attachment. Some sand settling will occur, and the sand level should drop below the surrounding ground. Add soft loose sand to top it up to the height of the surrounding ground. This layer of sand will create a soft yet stable base for the tiles.
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Lay down tiles on top of the sand in rows and columns. Leave a ½- to 1-inch space between tiles. Step onto the tiles to press them down. The thick sand base should provide cushioning and at the same time supply support so the tiles won't slide. The tiles should be raised above the sand enough that sand will not cover them. Hose down the tiles for easy cleanup. Adjust the tiles periodically as needed.
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