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flagstone patio - does it ever stay put?
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Posted by madtripper 5/6 Guelph (My Page) on Sun, Feb 19, 06 at 22:03
| I really like the look of flagstone, but to be honest, everyone I have ever seen (and that may not be too many) has had problems with the stones lifting. The concrete joins crack, and then the stones move and lift.
Am I just seeing poor installation jobs, or is this just the reality of gardening in the north? Has anyone had flagstone installed with no problems after more than 5 years?
Thanks. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: flagstone patio - does it ever stay put?
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| Well, I've had flagstone but not set in concrete. It looks great with a ground cover, like creeping thyme, growing between the stones. Then it won't matter if the move a bit. I've also used fieldstone for paths and dig deep holes to bury them in, with a flat side up. They don't budge. If you want it in concrete, I guess this doesn't help much. I don't see how it can stay put with the ground freezing and thawing. It might depend on how deep the base is underneath. It will need a couple of feet of a sandy base. |
RE: flagstone patio - does it ever stay put?
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| I've got a large flagstone patio that's about 8 years old and it does stay put. The base is a layer cake of 8" of fine gravel topped with about 2" of sand. It was a big job but I was concerned more about drainage than shifting. I live in a very rainy Portland, OR and the mud is horrible. I needed a place for me and the dogs to go on a rainy day that wasn't muddy. It works. Occasionally the smaller, thinner stones shift a bit. Moral--use bigger, heavier thicker stones. I'm very happy with mine. |
RE: flagstone patio - does it ever stay put?
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- Posted by jroot 5A Ont. Canada (My Page) on
Tue, Mar 28, 06 at 20:48
| The base is the secret. There must be adequate drainage below the stone, so that water is not trapped and when frozen expanded thus popping the flagstone up. I did not have any trouble with mine at my former house. |
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