How To Lay a Flag Stone Patio Over Cement
Flagstones laid over a cement foundation can provide an all-purpose patio for entertaining. Several variations of flagstones (cut or irregular-shaped) are available at building-supply stores. In addition, flagstones can be purchased in a range of colors. Suppliers may offer ideas for patterns, color and style of flagstones, but the general installation instructions remain the same, regardless of the design chosen. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Flagstones
- Cement
- Sand
- 2 buckets
- Shovel
- Two-by-fours
- Metal or wooden stakes
- Hammer
- Nails
- Rags
- Grout bag
- Water hose
Instructions
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Lay two-by-fours along the edges of your patio boundaries. Using a hammer, drive metal or wooden stakes into the ground on the outside of the lumber at equal intervals (about 12 inches) to hold the two-by-fours steady. Secure the corners of the lumber by nailing the ends of adjoining pieces together.
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2
Select flagstones that are nearly all the same thickness. The building supplier can help with this. Choose your absolute thickest flagstone to lay first, because it will determine the thickness of the cement for the rest of the patio.
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3
Prepare your cement mixture. Mix one part of cement to three parts sand. Combine the mixture with water until it is thin enough to pour out of your bucket, but thick enough for you to embed the flagstone into it. Prepare small batches of the cement mixture, so that it does not harden before you use it.
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4
Work with one stone at a time. Pour cement as you go, rather than pouring a solid sheet of cement into your patio form.
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Lay each stone, one at a time, along the boundary of the patio area. Pour enough cement to embed one flagstone, then position it. Tap each stone lightly once or twice to ensure that it is embedded in the cement mixture, leaving about ¼ inch from the top of the lumber barrier.
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Place the next flagstone about ¼ inch away from the first one. Use a rag to remove cement that oozes up between the stones. Continue working around the boundary of the patio.
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Allow the cement and flagstones along the border to dry for 24 to 48 hours.
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Once the border flagstones are completely set, begin to fill in the middle of the patio area. Work from one side of the patio area to the other so that you don't find yourself stuck in the middle with no way out. Remember to work with only a small amount of cement mixture for any given stone, and leave a ¼ gap between the stones. Wipe away cement that oozes between the laid stones with a rag.
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Once all of the inside flagstones are laid, allow them to set for 24 to 48 hours.
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10
After the stones have completely set, use a chisel and hammer to chip small pieces off the top of flagstones that may give the patio an uneven appearance.
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11
Prepare your grout mixture. Using your second bucket, combine one part of cement to one part of sand with enough water to make it rather soupy. It should flow easily.
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12
Prepare your grout bag for use. Using a pair of scissors, trim about 1/8 inch off the tip of the grout bag. This will allow the prepared grout to flow out of the bag into the space between the flag stones.
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Carefully fill the grout bag about ¾ full with the grout mixture. Twist the top of the bag slightly so that the grout does not come back out of the top when you are squeezing the bag.
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Again, beginning at one side of the patio, grout the ¼ inch gaps between the flagstones. To do this, gently squeeze the grout bag while it is over the gap and then allow the grout to flow in between the stones. Using a rag, wipe away excess grout before it begins to harden.
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When you have completed grouting the flagstones, let the grout cure for 24 to 48 hours before walking on the patio. After three days, hose off the patio to remove any loose debris.
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