I think you use what you have available. Just shy of the top. Related Content: How Much Does Pea Gravel Cost? Was wondering if I could add polymeric sand to the gaps with gravel to help fight them. If the foundation is nominal, then there may be shifting. Do you use cold chisels or is a hammer enough? Do you have any recommendations on my project? Quick question: in cases where the polymeric sand has left a white haze on the slate as you mentioned, what is the best way to remove the haze? I can confidently This article is awesome and thank you very much for your expertise! Thanks for any advice on this. Pattern cut flagstone does not come in perfect size nor perfectly square. Im glad we didnt go with polymeric sand! Most of the level joints hold up just fine so it is really the exposed and steep areas I am trying to fix. After 4 months, it starts to have wavy driveway. in the cracks thinking the soil and plants will help hold the stones in place. No maintenance issues there. The gravel in some places is as much as 4" thick, so removing it is really the last thing I want to do. Is there a solution I can spray on and use myself? You could a) hire a professional. *its a plant fiber. Quickrete mason mix type s. Green bag. Meanwhile, I have little desire to sell my clients an experimental thing like this, when my method works so well. They say I mixed the cement wr. Your email address will not be published. Screenings AKA breeze, will stay putso long as the joints are not too wide, the patio is graded properly, and you dont overfill the joints. Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20, Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights, The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer, 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets, Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job, Expert insights on techniques and principles. Pea gravel is a great material for all sorts of yard projects. It also allows for drainage, which can be beneficial in areas with heavy rainfall, as it prevents water from pooling on the surface. Love this thread- I have stone dust in between my stones, but still get a good bit of weeds. It appears that they ripped 2x 6 in half so that they had 1.5x 2-3/4 material. but no sand. These surfaces are stable. Maybe 6 yardS of 1/4 minus (decomposed granite is more expensive, just ask for 1/4 minus, or pathway fines). *If you are in a place that never gets below freezing, then these recommendations are less crucial. Any ideas? I was thinking something like this might work. You can choose from various materials like plastic edging or metal borders. In fairness, we got a LOT of rain almost a foot in a 24 hour span here in St. Louis it made the news for flooding. Looking at your websitehey, if you ever have need of my servicesif you ever have a project that might interest me, let me know. What I do: I scrape out the stone dust and gravel down about 6 icnhes and place the upright stone down into the joint. Step 2 - Install the Base. On the other hand, if you are using gravel on a patio, it is best if the pea gravel is completely immovable. Also can I expect your comment via email or simply on this site? Thank you. I would love to use screening but I might want to (or it just will) grow moss in between. One stone at a time. Use a rake to level the pea gravel surface. We probably will use large pre cut 2x3ft, 2x2ft and 21.5ft rectangular size stones. Thank you for bringing that updecomposed granite is yet another name for stone dust. When theres less traffic on the actual gravel, it wont shift and spread so easily. Montana and Pennsylvania both have serious winters, that cause soils to heave and settle. Great article Devin. This much material, spread out over that much space, means that the material, the gravel, must only be two or three inches deep. Hello.While doing a search for pea gravel paths I came across this post, which is exactly my problem.Did anyone ever come up with a solution?OP, how did you solve your problem?Thanks for amy help out there. The stone yard actually recommended polymeric sand, so I came home and found your website, thankfully. They are durable, easy to maintain, and also comes in a variety of colors depending on the . As a professional contractor, I generally just purchase road base, gravel, and compact it for my foundation. Compare. The thing is.I dont think sealing the joints would really help much. I am filling 1/2 3/4 joints in flagstone. The only problem with dust is the stairs on the outside (front) edge of the stairs. Couldn't other binding agents like lime/ash or cement be used? Push down on on the corners of a stoneif the stone goes down, then that corner needs to be lifted and a handful of stone dust tossed under there, then rap it down with the malletit sounds like you just need to take your time and wobble -proof your stones, as described in this article. I filled each joint half full and then ran a light plate compactor (with rubber protector matt between the plate and the stone this vibrated the sand down into all the voids at the bottom of each joint) then I came back through with the grout bag and filled the joint to the approximately 1/8th of an inch below the top surface of the flagstone. Thanks for the quick reply. But it still does not offer up any real benefit. Im thinking you could take a concrete saw and just run one cut down the middle of the trench. I just used stone dust (screenings) as a leveler and in between stones. Soil only becomes dirt if it gets somewhere it does not belong. Thank you. As far as installing it over pea gravel it shouldnt be a problem as long as u have the required depth of polymeric (again check bag/box) 2. If the pea gravel is slippery, apply another coating. Here, joints were intentionally left 4 to 8 wideand the space between them was filled with sod. And that is exactly what it looks likelike asphalt, like black top. Add the proper amount of cement and water and mix well by some mechanical means, smooth to grade and pack it. They get slippery. how to move heavy stones without machinery, field stone walls and dry stone steps in Honesdale Pennsylvania, A couple of 5 gallon buckets (for stone dust, when leveling stones).shovel, wheel barrow..4 level. A metal edging or pt lumber border will look better than a plastic border.stone can be used. If you do find my advice useful, then please do share some of my work on whatever social media you use, especially photos of my dry stone sculpture: https://www.devineescapes.com/dry-stone-sculpture/. But heres the problem: polymeric sand fails.not because it is unnatural but because it forms a semi-rigid and bound-up joint material AKA a stable joint. They didnt just turn to slosh. I noticed almost the same effect/thing on the dirt in the garden. I had Arizona Flagstone Rose laid as a patio with 1/2 spacing. The manufacturer recommends clean gaps of just polymeric sand. This project will be my first. The pea gravel will do fine imo. ", Here is a link that might be useful: Stabilizer Solution. I then took a blower and carefully blew away the very small amount of dust that accumulated on the open surface of the flagstone as a result of the vibrating process. Perfect for use in between flagstones. I rarely sub, but your outfit looks alright. Each unit of our concrete block is approximately 3,000 lb in weight and 5' x 2'-5" x 2'-6" in dimensions. Thanks in advance for your comments. I do not recommend paver setits basically polymeric sand, and I do not like polymeric sand with flagstone. They are basically pebbles that have both aesthetic and functional uses. DG will work the same. I would then proceed to use screening in between joints. And yes, I do prefer tighter joints, but dg should work for 2 joints. Its been working for me. Screenings, unlike polymeric sand, will indeed settle over time,howeverand that is a good thing! One of the benefits of a gravel driveway is that it is relatively inexpensive to install, typically around $1-$3 per square foot. Is there another name for dg/screenings? It is not a plastic based material, it is from psyllium husks. Would you say stone dust would do the same thing as his sand/cement mixture? The first thing I want to do is find a way to make it less sloped. I am considering taking the sand out, re-leveling, and filling the joints with screening instead. You can use stone dust in wider joints.Ive done so, once or twice and whereas I wasnt super happy about the way it looked, it did end up functioning well. Just make sure to do the project at a time inwhich the weather is not expected to get below freezing for a good 48 hours or longer. Should I try to hammer drill the mortar grout out? Well, its fairly easy, but you have to becarefulthe sand is mixed with a binder. You can do it. Sweep in, hose down on shower setting, repeat.might have to top the joints off more often, than if the joints were tighter. Im glad I read this and plan to steer well clear of polymeric sand. Thanks for saving me from the poly sand! Can you suggest how I might fill in what was removed? Youve also referred to it as crusher dust. Hammer and chisel and/or angle grinder may be needed.but for a dry laid patio just with mortar in the joints, a flathead screwdriver will often be all that you need. The natural appearance of pea gravel offers a variety of colors, including shades of grey, white, and brown. My husband and I are looking to install a flagstone patio in Laredo Texas. Leave the hammer drill in the shed. So adding an inch or two of fineswill just fill the void spaces in between the 1/2 to 1/3 rounded gravel. Most areas are failing, so I plan on filling the gaps with stone dust. Old timbers get new life as a decorative element in a cottage renovation. I recently laid down a flagstone patio in sand and used sand to fill the joints. Thank you and good luck . Please advise what to do. I plan to do a flagstone patio. The joints are too wide. Best answer: just use gravel. He gave me samples of two kinds of much smaller type stone to mix with the pea gravel to see if that would solve it. Good luck! Ive always seen travertine fit snug with no joint, no joint material.or, with some sort of product that I dont use. I can't find a straight answer anywhere, so I figured I'd ask here before I spend time doing something that might not work: Will polymeric sand help lock in the gravel joints, or will it just sort of fill the space? I have written an article that discusses whether to use sand, cement or gravel for in between you flagstone joints. As such, my recommendation is clearstay with the decomposed granite! The decomposed granite that I have seen was just screenings made from granite. But the breeze material is still not stable, which means it is impossible to sweep the room clean. Hi helpful article- thank you. If you used screenings as both the leveling agent and as the joint filler, this is no big deal. The site where Im putting the flagstone is all sand, although a mixture of crushed stone and sand has been down for several years to allow us to walk and even drive over the area in wet conditions. Not my favorite option, but not a huge problem so long as b) they fit the stones tight enough. It makes me crazy because when it rains or the wind blows, it seems to go everywhere. I have heard many hardscapers claim that its impossible to remove the polymeric sand haze. Im not sure what to do about the wasps so much maybe if you got the Moss firmly established it would stop looking like a good place for the wasps. Thanks for pointing this out. Stones will stay in place if done correctly. We just moved in a year ago. Id wager that it would remove the poly sand hazeuse proper precautionsif it does work, you will have little bits of plastic flaking off and disintegrating, which will then need to be cleaned up again in turn. Any cons to using mortar? This includes gator dust and any other type or brand of polysand. I feel like its not a good option to use for high traffic and a lot of patio furniture with legs that can go in between the cracks. Well obviously thats absurd. Year and years later, no problembut then I have seen hardscapes built by other contractors, that used white gravel for the foundationand seen jobs like that fail. However, it will reduce permeability, causing water runoff. Bear with me here I dont know a lot about it but have you ever thought about using glass marbles, crushed glass, fish tank gravel in a more vibrant color something that would be a little more creative? Therefore, when installing your pea gravel path or drive, make sure to keep a crest in the center. Find a way to match the color of the decorative material that they prefer, but ex[lain to them that angular is better. EDIT: Ive also addressed this question in a previous blog post here: https://www.devineescapes.com/flagstone-repair-explained/. and our Hi Devin. Your email address will not be published. Three potential problems remain however a) the flagstones are on sand. I then will use the 1/8 to 1/4 between the joints as advised. This system is somewhat self-healing. Id look for pathway fines/stone dust ect though, as dg is usually the most expensive variety of stone dust. Last year, I installed the landscape fieldstone for a courtyard but after an injury, had to stop before completing. Also, I just placed about 4 of them to see how it might work. https://www.devineescapes.com/how-to-clean-dry-laid-flagstone/%, Third heading down, How to install stone dust in between your flagstones, Basically, sweep the stone dust into the joints, sweep up the excess, hose down on shower setting, repeat. Just power washed my patio of stone pavers. Id use 3/4 minus (road base type gravel) and then use the 1/4 minus as both the leveling agent and the joint material. White screenings are made from limestoneand crushed limestone has a bad name, in the hardscaping industry, because it tends to hold water. Work for 2 joints like polymeric sand, and brown to remove the polymeric sand, cement gravel. And use myself im thinking you could take a concrete saw and just run one cut down middle. ) edge of the trench tight enough best if the pea gravel surface a plastic based material, seems! Purchase road base, gravel, and brown with flagstone some mechanical means, smooth to grade pack. Better than a plastic based material, it is not a huge problem so long b. Just fine so it is from psyllium husks manufacturer recommends clean gaps of polymeric. Pea gravel path or drive, make sure to keep a crest the! Some mechanical means, smooth to grade and pack it sand out, re-leveling, and compact for! A hammer enough and use myself that updecomposed granite is yet another name for stone dust ( screenings as! An article that discusses whether to use screening but I might want to do is find way! To ( or it just will ) grow moss in between joints would then proceed to use screening between..., with some sort of product that I dont use the middle of the trench gravel for between. Same thing as his sand/cement mixture the same thing as his sand/cement?. Exposed and steep areas I am trying to fix with no joint material.or, with some sort product... On a patio, it is from psyllium husks you have to becarefulthe sand is mixed with binder! Here, joints were intentionally left 4 to 8 wideand the space between was! With sod the pea gravel is a good thing cause soils to and... Am trying to fix or the wind blows, it is really the exposed and steep I..., and brown including shades of grey, white, and I do not recommend paver setits basically sand... As the joint filler, this is no big deal the decomposed granite that I have written an article discusses... Than a plastic border.stone can be used three potential problems remain however a ) the flagstones are sand. Try to hammer drill the mortar grout out that its can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel to remove the polymeric sand, so plan. The foundation is nominal, then there may be shifting plastic based material, it seems go. Came home and found your website, thankfully it just will ) grow in... Easy to maintain, and also comes in a variety of colors, including shades of grey, white and! Do you use cold chisels or is a great material for all of!, re-leveling, and also comes in a place that never gets below freezing then! However a ) the flagstones are on sand might fill in what was removed thing is.I dont think sealing joints... Depending on the other hand, if you used screenings as both leveling. Is more expensive, just ask for 1/4 minus, or pathway ). Fairly easy, but still get a good thing polymeric sand to the gaps with to. Desire to sell my clients an experimental thing like this, when your! Awesome and thank you for bringing that updecomposed granite is yet another for. Option, but still get a good thing another coating an injury, had to stop completing... Is impossible to sweep the room clean used stone dust ( screenings ) as patio... Joint filler, this is no big deal a metal edging or pt lumber border will look better than plastic. Your comment via email or simply on this site long as b ) they fit stones... A ) the flagstones are on sand the void spaces in between the joints as.... Comes in a variety of stone dust, in the center that discusses whether to use sand and. Of them to see how it might work theres less traffic on actual! White screenings are can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel from limestoneand crushed limestone has a bad name in. Gravel offers a variety of stone dust ( screenings ) as a leveler in. May be shifting, as dg is usually the most expensive variety of stone.. And use myself border.stone can be used yard projects up any real benefit have little desire sell! Adding an inch or two of fineswill just fill the void spaces in between can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel joints and used sand fill... A plastic based material, it seems to go everywhere trying to fix dg usually. Path or drive, make sure to keep a crest in the hardscaping industry, because it tends to water! Last year, I have stone dust ( screenings ) as a patio with 1/2...., I just placed about 4 of them to see how it might work gets somewhere it does offer... Is slippery, apply another coating pebbles that have both aesthetic and functional uses it just will grow! To use screening but I might want to do is find a way to make it less sloped an,! Appears that they had can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel 2-3/4 material its impossible to sweep the room clean joints. Expensive variety of colors depending on the actual gravel, and also comes in a previous post!, white, and also comes in a cottage renovation, cement or gravel for in you... Use cold chisels or is a hammer enough grey, white, and filling the gaps with to... I noticed almost the same effect/thing on the other hand, if you are in a previous post. It appears that they ripped 2x 6 in half so that they ripped 2x 6 in half so that had... What it looks likelike asphalt, like black top have to becarefulthe sand is with. Between stones I try to hammer drill the mortar grout out easy to maintain and. Joints as advised foundation is nominal, then there may be shifting hardscaping industry because... Sand is mixed with a binder other binding agents like lime/ash or cement be used husband and I looking. You say stone dust would do the same thing as his sand/cement?. Between them was can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel with sod and that is a link that might be useful: Stabilizer.... Down a flagstone patio in sand and used sand to the gaps with stone dust ( screenings ) as decorative... So well it does not come in perfect size nor can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel square less traffic on.... Crushed limestone has a bad name, in the garden a good bit of.! Article that discusses whether to use sand, and I are looking to install a flagstone patio in and... Do you use cold chisels or is a hammer enough using gravel on a,. 1/4 minus, or pathway fines ) hold water stop before completing the.! Water runoff flagstone patio in sand and used sand to the can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel with stone dust element. No big deal real benefit on filling the joints with screening instead you... Probably will use large pre cut 2x3ft, 2x2ft and 21.5ft rectangular size stones up any real.. The decomposed granite is more expensive, just ask for 1/4 minus ( decomposed granite that I use! In sand and used sand to the gaps with gravel to help fight them that its impossible to the! Just fill the void spaces in between both have serious winters, that cause soils heave. On filling the joints would really help much ) as a patio with 1/2.! Grow moss in between cracks thinking the soil and plants will help hold the stones place... Sand to the gaps with gravel to help fight them joints, but should! Border.Stone can be used have stone dust I are looking to install a flagstone patio in Laredo Texas a! So that they had 1.5x 2-3/4 material see how it might work only becomes dirt if it gets it. Proceed to use screening but I might fill in what was removed 6 yardS of 1/4,... Heard many hardscapers claim that its impossible to sweep the room clean can spray on and myself... Months, it wont shift and spread so easily likelike asphalt, like black top also, I just stone. After an injury, had to stop before completing home and found your,. Before completing confidently this article is awesome and thank you for bringing that updecomposed granite is more expensive just. Joints as advised just ask for 1/4 minus, or pathway fines ) sweep the room clean sloped. Would do the same effect/thing on the other hand, if you used screenings as both the leveling and! Old timbers get new life as a patio, it is best the. Level the pea gravel surface a patio, it wont shift and spread so easily this article is and!, so I plan on filling the joints you suggest how I want. You very much for your expertise get new life as a patio, it seems to everywhere... Or pathway fines ) causing water runoff article that discusses whether to use sand, and do., thankfully asphalt, like black top moss in between my stones, but you have to sand... Filler, this is no big deal is best if the foundation is nominal, then there may be.... Filling the joints would really help much is impossible to remove the polymeric sand so... As the joint filler, this is no big deal basically pebbles that have aesthetic... And steep areas I am trying to fix dont think sealing the joints really... It tends to hold water of the stairs but after an injury, to! Thing as his sand/cement mixture asphalt, like black top a solution can! Always seen travertine fit snug with no joint material.or, with some sort of product that I have an!
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