Planning Suggestions
• Draw the area to be paved using graph paper.
• A scale of 1:50 will allow direct use of the drawings on pages 142-
143.
• Use dimensions that minimise cuts to paving.
• Paving surface must be at least 150mm below the damp course in
any adjacent wall.
• Provide a gradient of 1:40 or steeper, towards adequate drainage.
Paving Installation
• This is heavy work, requiring specific skills, tools and experience.
• Before starting, refer to suitable professional advice, publications or
websites.
• The following advice assumes you have acquired a basic knowledge
of what is required, including health and safety precautions.
Foundations
• These depend on ground conditions and expected use.
• For light pedestrian use on solid, even ground, 40mm compacted
sharp sand may be adequate.
• For less stable or wet ground, provide 100mm well compacted
hardcore beneath the sand.
• For domestic driveways, increase the hardcore depth to 150mm.
For Paviors follow the Pavior Laying Guide; for Flagstones follow the
section headed Driveways.
Groundworks
• Mark out the area and dig out to the required total depth.
• Tap in wooden pegs to show the levels for the finished surface
including the required gradients.
• Infill the appropriate foundations and remove the pegs before laying the paving.
• For Rio Paving, and all Paviors, follow Pavior Laying Guide.
• For all other paving (including Rio if preferred), follow Paving Flag
Laying Guide.
Paving Flag Laying Guide
Getting Ready
• Avoid rubbing and damage to Flags by carefully stacking them on
timber battens with spacers between them.
• Select paving from different packs throughout the job, to blend
colour shades.
Laying
• Make up a slightly wet mortar mix of 1 part cement to 5 parts building sand.
• A SBR or slurry backing should be pasted to the rear of the slab
prior to laying.
• You may also consider using an appropriate plasticiser additive in
the mix.
• Prepare a full bed of mortar ahead of each Flag, approximately
25mm thick, but allowing for the variation in thickness between Flags.
• Tap the Flag down to the required level, using a rubber mallet.
• If the Flag will not level with several gentle taps, lift it, adjust the
level of the mortar bed and relay the Flag.
• Keep checking levels and gradient across a number of slabs.
Stringlines can be helpful to define levels and lines within the laying
pattern.
• Maintain the correct joint width by gently shuffling with a trowel.
Small pieces of timber are useful as temporary spacers.
• If you need to cut Flags, a power tool with a suitable diamond
tipped cutting disc will cut accurately through our products.
After Laying
• Do not walk on the paving for at least 24 hours.
• During wet or frosty weather, cover the paving for protection until
mortar has cured.
• Then point as soon as possible.
Pointing
• For most paving flags Stonemarket Fast Point Jointing system can
be used where a minimum 10mm joint and 22mm thick paving units
are being utilised. For thicker flags 5mm and over the width can be
reduced to 8mm.
• If there are known permeability issues drainage holes can be included to help water escape.
• Fast Point should not be used with Arctic
Granite or Lorento.
• Alternatively, use a damp mortar mix of 1 part cement to 4 parts
building sand.
• Press firmly onto the joints to produce a dense, impervious surface
that will drain water across the paving.
• If mortar gets onto the faces of the Flags, clean off immediately using a damp sponge frequently rinsed in clean water.
• Jointing sands and other pervious materials are not recommended
except where paving is laid with minimal joints. Stonemarket will not
accept responsibility for contaminations/staining incurred from use
of manufactured jointing compounds.
• Where minimal joints are recommended, these should be 2-5mm
and an external grout should be considered.
• Where minimal joints are suggested with single size layouts or in
courses, you could consider larger joints for ease of pointing and
improved durability of the joint.
• Butt jointing is not recommended for any of our products.
Driveways
Our Pavior ranges are specifically designed for high performance in
areas used by domestic vehicles. However, many of our customers
prefer the look of flagstones. Trustone (Fieldland, Glenmoor and
Fellstyle) and Vintage Stone Manor have been used successfully. Extra
care with the foundations is essential. Lay the Flags directly onto a
100mm thick wet concrete bed (1:5 cement: sharp sand) on top of
150mm well compacted hardcore. To ensure a solid bond from flag
to mortar bed, we advise the use of SBR paving primer. Damage can
be caused by heavy and four wheel drive vehicles, or by using power
steering whilst stationery.
Specific Advice
NATURAL STONES
Coating the back of each Flag with SBR additive just before laying, will
assist bonding.
Indoor Use
For indoor use, a coating is advised to reduce dusting and make
cleaning easier.
Use Around Swimming Pools
Advice from Stonemarket should be sought about suitability for use
of products around swimming pools.
Health & Safety
Mixing Mortar
Dry or damp cement and wet concrete or mortar can cause irritation and burns to the eyes and skin. Suitable eye protection and PVC
gloves should be worn. If contact with the eyes or skin occurs, irrigate
or wash off with plenty of water. If irritation or burning persists, seek
immediate medical attention.
Cutting
Using high speed cutters on concrete and stone products produces
dust and water suppression must be used. If dust is inhaled in excessive amounts over a long period this may cause longterm health
problems. Suitable safety goggles and a dust mask should be worn.
Manual Handling
Most of our products are abrasive and heavy, some are very heavy.
Appropriate handling precautions include wearing protective gloves
and footwear and obtaining mechanical assistance when moving
items weighing over 20kg.
Safety Data Sheets
Available by calling 0345 302 0603.
www.stonemarket.co.uk/healthandsafety
Maintenance
• Keep pavior joints well filled with kiln dried sand.
• Pressure washers and chemical cleaners are not recommended on
any of our products particularly reconstituted stone, natural limestone and Arctic Granite Midnight.
• Many common patio cleaners and brick acids are hydrochloric acid
based and are not appropriate on most of our products including
sandstone.
• To clean, wet thoroughly with lukewarm soapy water and use a stiff
hard broom.
• Never use common salt to de-ice reconstituted stone or limestone.
Alternative products are available, specially formulated for this purpose.
• Light coloured natural stone and concrete blocks, whilst structurally
sound for use on driveways, may emphasize tyre marks and oil spills
on the driveway and may require more maintenance to maintain appearance.
Coatings/Sealants
If a coating or sealant is used make sure paving is completely dry and
free of efflorescence before applying. Responsibility for the performance of any coating rests with the user and the manufacturer of the
coating. Always read the instructions carefully and first test a small
area for colour and slip resistance, wet and dry. For further advice
refer to our sales office.
WE DO NOT USUALLY RECOMMEND THE USE OF COATINGS AND
SEALANTS.
