HOW TO LAY A PATIO BUILDER'S TIPS

Home » Home Improvement » Patio Deck Join Sign in EzineArticles - Expert Authors Sharing Their Best Original Articles Search Kirk Smith Platinum Quality Author Platinum Author | 36 Articles Joined: July 12, 2006 United Kingdom Laying a Patio Floor - A Builder's Useful Tips By Kirk Smith | Submitted On November 17, 2015 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Expert Author Kirk Smith Laying a patio can be a challenging task if you do not have the proper plan in place. There are many types of patios one can chose to lay. Patios can range from wood to brick to stone. Once you select the type of patio that needs to be installed the handy work can begin. Installing a stone patio is an excellent way to show creativity and individuality. There are many colors and designs to choose from. To start gather your supplies. These can include gloves, dusk mask, mason twine, carbide tipped awl, goggles and ear protection. It is important to remember your safety equipment when preparing to work with grinders and saws. This brings up the next items needed, tools. These will include: steel rake, bush broom, spade shovel, square shovel, wheelbarrow, level and rod, angle grinder, tape measure, circle cutter, pointing trowel, hand rake, hand tamper, plate compactor, circle saw, rubber mallet, hand sledge, and skid-steer loader. Once all your tools and supplies are gathered execute the floor plan. Include in this plan the height, width and length of your patio. This can be easily done by using graph paper. Be sure to also know your land. It is important to know where the ground freezes or if there are any water or gas lines in the vicinity so they can be worked around. A stone patio can be installed in eight simple steps. First, excavate the site. To do this drive three foot stakes in the ground in the corners of the area the patio will be laid. Use the level to find a benchmark. Next setting the base will need to occur. Cover the sub-grade with a crushed stone and dust base. Be sure to water the base to keep the dust down. Use the plate compactor to assist in this step. Once the base is set mix the cement in the wheelbarrow in order to lay the stone. Once the mix is to desired thickness, spread the mix in the base where stone will be laid one stone at a time. Now that the bed is set lay the stone into the setting bed smooth side facing up lined up with the other stones. Tap the stone into place with a rubber mallet. Once in place use the level to be sure all stones are even with the next. Repeat this process until area is covered with stone. If necessary cut the stones with carbide-tipped awl to make sure stones fit evenly. Remember to use goggles, gloves and earplugs for this process. When the patio is dry enough to walk on dust the joints with a stone dust to better hold the stones in place. Hose the patio down to assist in packing the dusting. Once the patio is set and dry pull out the summer beverage of choice, lawn chair and kick back and admire the finished product. Many do not believe they have the handyman knack but these simple steps make laying a patio look as easy as sipping lemonade on a hot summer day. 5KC Ltd are professional Liverpool Builders Please also visit http://www.5kc.co.uk for further reading and more about the Merseyside Builders. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kirk_Smith/71889 0 Comments | Leave a Comment Did you find this article helpful? Happy Face0 Sad Face0 Viewed 40 times Word count: 512 Article Tools EzinePublisher Report this article Cite this article Stay Informed Subscribe to New Article Alerts: Home Improvement: Patio-Deck Kirk Smith Email Address Subscribe We will never sell or rent your email address. Patio Deck Article Feed Patio Deck Article Feed Find More Articles Search Recent Articles Awnings for Your Patio or Deck Paving Contractors Exterior Deck and Wood Coating Failures - Why? Types of Excavating Companies Which Paving Is the Best for Patio Areas? Ultimate Guide For Selecting Ideal Gravel For Your Patio Types of Sunrooms and Their Benefits DIY Patio Projects That Will Add Major Curb Appeal Paving Stones - What Are They? Understanding Cable Railing Installation EzineArticles.com About Us FAQ Contact Us Member Benefits Privacy Policy Shop Site Map Blog Training Video Library Advertising Affiliates Cartoons Authors Submit Articles Members Login Premium Membership Expert Authors Endorsements Editorial Guidelines Terms of Service Publishers Terms Of Service Ezines / Email Alerts Manage Subscriptions EzineArticles RSS © 2017 EzineArticles All Rights Reserved Worldwide