OUTDOOR LIVING SAFETY, SECURITY & SMART HOMES
and if you want to go belt and braces, slurry back the rear of your slab to ensure adhesion to your mortar bed. Place the fi rst slab into position, tapping it down with a rubber mallet until it sits fi rmly. Continue laying, leaving a 10-15mm gap between slabs. nce fi nished, clean down and leave it to set for at least 24 hours before applying jointing material. For the fi nal touches, fi ll the oints with your preferred jointing material, whether a resin, cementitious, or a jointing compound to enhance the look and consider adding decorative edging, such as sea-washed aggregate or polished pebbles to frame your new patio or paving beautifully.
FROM BARE TO BEAUTIFUL
removing any existing slabs, and digging to a depth of 150mm. Ensure the soil is evenly compacted before adding a 100mm sub-base. Rake it level and compact it until smooth and fi rm, making sure there is enough fall to direct water towards the borders. Most patios use a 1 in 80 fall longitudinally and a 1 in 40 fall across the surface. Next, prepare your mortar mix using three parts sand to one part cement,
adding water until it reaches a workable dough-like consistency. Test the mix by forming a ball in your hand, making sure you are wearing gloves; it should hold its shape without crumbling or leaking water. Spread the concrete evenly across the patio bed to a depth of around 40mm. Avoid the dot-and-dab method – using a full mortar bed is best practice. Dampen each slab before laying to prevent moisture loss from the mortar
Choosing the right paving slabs for your DIY project comes down to balancing aesthetics with durability, budget, and of course ease of installation. By considering how you’ll use your space once it’s complete, choosing the right materials, and following best practices for installation, you can create an outdoor area that’s both functional, beautiful and a true extension of your home that will last.
Trevor Knight is head of group technical operations at Marshalls
LUXORliving Simply Smart
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www.luxorliving.co.uk
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