Thank you for the prompt response. Greetings! But screenings are only used in dry laid application. Is that just the nature of stone dust? This is in New Jersey by the way. I have 4 large, thick stones for the 4 corners and many med-large stones interspersed for stability. The result might be messy, but would probably be a good base for something else (brick or stone?). Wish Id have found you 10 years ago Id have you building my dream stacked wall. Like a branching sort of design or meandering stream-like pattern. Now what? Just dont spray any poison into there, please and thank you. The industry standard for flagstone installation these days, is still basically to use the methods, tools and materials used in concrete paver installation and adapt them to natural flagstone. Here is a link that might be useful: Klingstone Paths. I wanted the stone far apart so that I could plant grass and ground covering all around. I already clear out a 15 X 15 for my back patio. Joints are all tight at and average of about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in width. Also, do you have any mortar that you prefer over another? 2.5 inches over a ten foot span will be enough, provided there are no major dips. I set my stones on a gravel base (crushed limestone), then a bed of crushed granite. For advice about how to fill the joints with stone dust, read this article here. Personally, Id try it if I had some d-limonene lying around. Some of the stones youre showing me look a bit on the small side. Also, are their any loose flagstones? Only time cement is used in the joint material is if the patio has a proper concrete foundation. Wish I could hire you to redo my patio in New Mexico! Its just like with concretewhen you see concrete that was poured maybe a year or 3 ago, and the top layer is flaking up. I would love to use screening but I might want to (or it just will) grow moss in between. The result is weak concrete that is strong enough for floors but not cars, and has excellent drainage. No maintenance issues there. Yes, the material I saw at the quarry very close to my house was just the very fine dust. For the most part the patio is sunken 1 inch compared to the barrier strip. is this a bad practice? Otherwise it will crack up. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 6 Reviews. please reply with name of screening, where to buy and if method i am thinking is good. https://images.homedepot-static.com/productImages/8f8e41ef-21f0-4fba-beda-fcb652335ff0/svn/quikrete-masonry-mortar-mix-a003a-64_1000.jpg. This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. As such the larger gap is probably his way of making them fit nicelyone big aesthetic concern is even spaced joints. Hi Devin. Great work, youve inspired another. My wife and I are interested in a new brown wave patio. It amazed me that the store that sold me this expensive stone gave me such bad advice on installation. Push down on it, one corner of the stone at a time. What if I use the yogurt method etc? Wondering if you might have a quick second to let me know your thoughts on a recent dilemma. The joints average about 4-5 inches (way higher than your recommendation) and its too late to reduce the joint spacing, since they have already been laid. EDIT: Ive also addressed this question in a previous blog post here: https://www.devineescapes.com/flagstone-repair-explained/. Btw I am also in NEPA. Theres also some mention of stabilized decomposed granite. Good luck! Deep bow of thanks for all of the wisdom youve shared here with your article and the comment section. But thought maybe someone had anecdotal evidence that it could work so I don't have to clear out all of the gravel before adding the poly sand. Woo-hoo, no need to remove a concrete foundation! Gravel is much less vulnerable to damage from seasonal . Use a roller to compact the gravel, which also helps with stability. Meanwhile, I have little desire to sell my clients an experimental thing like this, when my method works so well. Should we scrape all screening, organic material and weeds? In your case, decomposed granite joints. If an area is Shady or damp then sometimes that can cause thin algae growth that can make flagstones look dirty. Id use stone dust.but if possible, Id tighten them joints up a bit. Placing a border around the perimeter of pea gravel paths and walkways is one of the best ways to stabilize pea gravel. But it should work well enough, yes. Each unit of our concrete block is approximately 3,000 lb in weight and 5' x 2'-5" x 2'-6" in dimensions. Bad news, that stuff. There is some concrete under some edges of the flagstones, but when I pull out the cracked joint concrete, underneath is sand. $6,467.31. Yea, hardened into something spongeythats a polymeric sand type material. You can also sprinkle cement over gravel to reduce sliding and shifting. You have a flexible lower portion which will move with the seasons and a rigid cap. Haven't had a chance to try yet. This more or less turns your stone dust into polymeric sandand you know the risks involved with that. This second method doesnt clean up quite as easily as the powdery-dry method. But its not a small thing. Im doing a small extension of a patio leading to a path about 200x18. That would take a bit of my time and consultation fees would be applicable. Gods peace. Then the top inch or 2 with the stone dust. It has a broader color spectrum than crushed stone and is lighter and often less expensive. Am looking for the classic very light grey or whitewash joint color. Florida is one of the most unique states in the country because of the weather, sights, and bodies of water. Also do you use stone enhancer to intensify the color of the flag stone? Thanks for your reply. If you are building a dry stone patio then no, I do not recommend using a concrete border. I plan to do a flagstone patio. Were using paving sand as the base. I was very worried about the hazing of the stone from using Polymetric sand. Ive used products before where you actually add a binder to the gravel. Then I need to study how it behaves, over years. The stone settles, the joint cracks. I have a flagstone porch with flagstone stairs. Thank you. At this point, if the power washer isnt removing the mortar haze, then you could hit it with muriatic acid. I never thought about the problems I would encounter using small stones on a dry-laid patio. Void formsstone sinkssolid joint sits above voidjoint cracks. You can choose from various materials like plastic edging or metal borders. Water it in. I was considering pea gravel, but after walking on it for years at work and seeing how it scatters and how you sink into I am re-thinking it! Very helpful, thanks. Cookie Notice Can I sweep stone dust into the cracks now instead of sand? Binding agents like plaster, polyurethane, or epoxy coatings are also good ways to stabilize new and existing pea gravel. Now they want to put a sealer over that! I addressed the issue of weeds and dry laid flagstone here As it states in the article, personally, weeds between flagstones dont bother me all that muchand if the weeds really are that bad, then a bit of boiling water will dispatch with them nicely. After that I have one side that I will change to/add retaining wall stone borders to better lock my stones in. I would then proceed to use screening in between joints. Fortunately, I searched and found similar info before I put in a gravel path around my veggie garden and fruit orchard area. Organic materials will not compact enough to support vehicle traffic. 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? Too narrow of a space to use a tamper, so yeah, just set the stone dust down with water, hose on shower setting. The stones tend to get lodged on your shoes and are dragged into the house. So..what good shall it do me, if this unfortunately rigid and stable joint is natural, not synthetic? Then I pound that stone down, using a deadblow type mallet. Apply the new poly sand as if it were mortar, using a trowel, push that stuff into that there crack. Stone would have to be of appropriate thickness, outdoor adhesives/exterior thinset used for the ornaments. Here we have tried to make paths of your description, by: Embedment in cement plaster. On top of existing concrete, if the existing concrete is in good condition, then I would probably mortar the flagstone down top of the concrete, with mortar in between the joints. Comment *document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ab7c4abf609fa1ed15dbe4a1e48f5b44" );document.getElementById("b69840f237").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Devine Escapes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. 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. voc free, eco-friendly and easy to install for the DIY. Try https://www.envirobond.com/professional/envirosand/ Organic binding material. And, if so, is there a way to do this so you dont see the border material for the finished project? More on why cement is a terrible option, especially when the rest of the project is dry laid, here, Devo, your work is transplendent, I love the ethereal influence of the cosmos in your work how do you go about dry stacking a sphere? Read the directions, follow precautions (gloves, mask, glasses). Id love to hear your ideas of anything you think might work. Or let it happen on its own. We have a large patio of flagstone set with concrete or mortar. We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Basic advice can be free but you worked hard and long to get those skills and knowledge. In any event, it didnt get quite cleaned up enough/soon enough. The area is shady and I imagine the main part of the area will grow moss but the pathway off the larger area might get a little sun so maybe not there. I'm excited because I can do a number of project now. and it will still look natural. I wish everyone would do that. Would combining the dust with some finer particulate 1/8 limestone be better? Just approach the work with heart and youll be alright. First, you will measure the area and check you have the correct amount of binding solution. This is a big project that you are describing.. Id recommend that you spend some time reading my other DIY flagstone articles. Thank you for the great tip! If your stone is on a concrete base, then you want to repair it with mortar, not stone dust. If it is a shady area around your patio you could encourage Moss to grow there and let the most take over so weeds cant grow. I plan on using a thicker layer of concrete sand below the stone, (up to six inches); thick enough so that it accommodates the irregular thickness, and providing me a flat stone surface on top. I go about it with love, gratitude, and hammers, chisels, powertools and with all that I have. A little bit more than you think it needs. I dont know what type of drain they installed.or what they did wrong. Is it worth bothering with or will the gravel do the job itself? The deck builders say they often use polymeric sand between the pool beam and deck pavers. However, if you are telling me that you have 6 of compacted road base type gravel in place, and your flagstones are on top of that, with some sand as the leveling agent..then idk, but as a professional who cant afford to have my reputation messed withId take those flagstones back up and lay in screenings. 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? Screenings are heavier than regular sand, thus theywill not wash out quite so easily. I cant say too much about stabilized decomposed granite. I have patio pavers with gravel between pavers instead of polymeric sand. I suppose that may be the same thing as mortar mix, but I'm not sure. This system is somewhat self-healing. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, http://www.alliancegator.com/2011/gator-stone-bond/, http://www.alliancegator.com/2011/gator-rock-bond-liquid-binding-agent/, VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Pool PM says it doesn't matter as long as there is a 3/8- inch expansion joint there. Im so glad I found your webpage. Do we need to remove all the flagstones, then scrape everything and start back? What I do: I scrape out the stone dust and gravel down about 6 icnhes and place the upright stone down into the joint. Couldn't other binding agents like lime/ash or cement be used? 46 tons spread out over 4,000 square feet3/4 material, fairly rounded. When selecting your base rock, make sure to pick rough gravel that is large enough to allow the pointy edges to interlock and heavy enough not to be washed away in a storm. If its built upon concrete, then it should be repaired with mortar. I would not recommend sand for in between flagstone joints. Sorry, this website is all about natural stone. The gravel in some places is as much as 4" thick, so removing it is really the last thing I want to do. I wonder if mixing the top layer of pebbles with stone dust might not stabilize your pea gravel somewhat, kind of like crusher run?. We just put in a flagstone patio using decomposed granite in between the stones. Do you have any comments on how to best drain this so it doesnt continue to settle after i install the flagstones? Add at least 20 tons of fines. good luck and let me know how it goesmaybe you can teach me something on the subject , Hi Devin, your blog on polymeric sand was very helpful. We bought an older house last year, and what I thought was a small stone landing at the base of the old deck turned out to be an irregular limestone patio. And the garden centers will often have 25 pound bags of it for sale. No offense, but if you went through all the trouble to lay your paver base in the first . Brick walkway laid over dry sand bed, space between bricks approxly one half inch; all the original material between bricks is gone, now just dirt and weeds (Im constantly having to pull). The best way to predict your future is to create it. They also connected the various sections with #4 re-bar so the patio is pretty stable as one piece. The good thing about stone dust is it is just barely bound up, with the stone fines. Anyway, I like to set flagstone on a foundation of road base, also-known-as 2A/modified gravel. Read that againstone dust settling down in-between flagstone is a GOOD thing. Devin-Way to go! You are so kind to answer so quickly and for the method link. It leaves a nasty haze all over the place, and is overall a wasteful, expensive mess and a disappointment. Mix up some new polymeric sand, of matching type and colormix it up in a 5 gallon bucket, like you might mix up a small batch of mortar. Sorry, never used it! I think I have seen bags of paver base or something like that. Now picture that scenario with a rigid joint. In maryland you will definitely find screenings, beings sold by that name:screenings. Voles, moles, or mice were causing the damage. We are having a dry laid, recto-linear patterned, natural cleft, blue stone patio installed by a professional landscaper, but I am a little worried about the size of some of the joints. It was inspiring, insightful, knowledgeable and overall great advice. Ideally a pea gravel patio should have 3" base rock and 1" actual pea gravel. The location is climate type 9b, Northern California. Just power washed my patio of stone pavers. Seriously, how much rain did you get? If a project interests me I can be convinced to travel. 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. I can say without reservation that you should repair the flagstone patio that you haveand never replace it with stamped concrete. What do you recommend for replacing the grout? Please consider it for a minute. First of all know that at this point, any means to clean off the stones will likely destroy the joints that youve installed. I was not thrilled with it at the time but time and money influenced our decision. Just say no to polymeric jointing sand. I can confidently After excavating the area, pour in about three inches of a base layer of crushed rock. Otherwise, I am forced to walk on hard edged screenings! Dig, then tamp, then lay roadbase gravel (3/4 minus). I see no upsides. It looks pretty cool as well. Flagstone: what to use, sand, cement, or gravel? It is just what I was after and while the pea gravel has the "look" it does not have the stability. Also, in your article about using gravel, can you use AB3 or Crusher Run? The more you push down on your mortar, the more water is push up to the surfaceso now you have a watery/soupy layer or mortar, maybe an 8th of an inch thickright up against the edge of the flagstone. The real big problem however here is that it tightens up the joints. I prefer smaller joints. With stone dust the most you have to do is top of the joints every once in awhile. Best recommendation is to use large flagstone, small joints, stone dust/decomposed granite as the leveling agent and joint material. As a professional contractor, I generally just purchase road base, gravel, and compact it for my foundation. Any ideas? Hi Devin. Leave small joints, like 1/4. The existing patio settled in some spots, so im planning to regrade it with new stone dust to keep it pitched away from the house. Ill probabvly be emailing you soon, to set up a consultation, as we have some questions about cutting, dealing with elevations and drainage issues, just some stuff particular to our project, and it would be good for someone to hold our hand walk us through the process, make us feel more confident about what we need to do. Also, it gives a patio a good appearance, to have all larger stones along the edge. This is a BAD thing. Garden center. The smallest grade of gravel generally available, consisting of small 1/8 or less chips of stone and fine stone dust, like powder. Removing the grout is going to be a horrendous job. Most of the patio is in a high sun area, so moss (which I love) is out of the question I think. SawStop's Portable Tablesaw is Bigger and Better Than Before, Podcast 530: PRO TALK With Architecture Student Phillip Schladweiler, Podcast 529: Cold Floors, Galvanic Corrosion, and Siding Over Board Sheathing. All the flagstone is stable and still level. Have returned to this post many times. Do you recommend using cement/sand mortar combination or to go with stone dust. Maybe a channel drain, along the wall furthest from the house? Polymers: Thickeners. Hi Devin, Thanks for the amazing article. Great information. Sure, with such large gaps the stone dust may kick out, and get on the stone surface, but it wont be an annoyance or a trip hazard, the way that larger gravel probably will. Lay the 2x down on top of the trench and hammer down to tamp. Youre welcome Rob, Im happy I could be helpful . If no to bother questions, then the project should not be too hard. The gravel helps toughen up the dog's pads without damaging them. Plus, Ill answer short and sweet questions here on my blog, of course. How much foot traffic are we expecting? Most solvents that will actually remove it will probably also stain the pavers anew, so theyre out. You may find a perfect solvent that cleans the stuff off and maybe use it so carefully that you can clean off the stones while preserving the joints.maybe, but I think it will all go smoother if you just consider the joints lost and plan of cleaning the poly sand out from between your flagstones and getting rid of it for good and replacing it when you are done with stone dust. Thank you for your very fast response and for taking the time to answer my question. Theres some things I dont know here.how long ago were the mortar joints done? Is it deep enough? Thanks! But when you want your walkways to stay in place, the round and easily moveable shape of pea gravel could be a problem. I use, and recommend a stone dust joint, for dry laid flagstone applications. Good luck! Would you advise just sealing the mortar? Didnt like the sound of the poly sand. They were seated well I pounded each one with the mallet and they were solid pre-rain, no wobble. It looses its gravel texture, it just ceases to be gravel.looking like a cross between a rice crispy teat and black-topbut looking nothing like a gravel walkway. does polymeric come in colors? Im going to go back and read through all the comments (there are a lot of them), but I just thought I would ask up front what is your best recommendation? Soil then, comes in many types: Hummus, sand, silt, clay, gravel. Other times I go with a crumbly-dry mix. Theyll sell it in the masonry section at depot/lowes. Will stone dust/decomposed granite work in both/either area? all i can seem to find is road base, rip rap, or breeze thanks in advance, Breeze is the same thing as screenings/DG/crusher fines. I live in Seattle in case that is important. Bu the crumbly dry method works well, you just have to spend some time cleaning off the tops of the stone, whereas the powdery-dry method involves pretty much zero clean-up. 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. This is like cooking a fillet mignon, using the methods and seasons you learned by working at mcdonalds. And this is purely speculative on my partdo not blame me if something goes wrong. Visible from the road, near blue Mountain Ski Resort. Anywayssince you just used local soil, and built it yourself rather than hiring a mason, we can pretty much just say Well, it may not be perfect, but its got heart!. And Ive had to repair and replace many such patios.same effect happens when someone decides to cement together the cap of a dry stone wall. We are in Ontario, Canada. When Im done, the joint material will be about a quarter inch from the tops of the stones. I did find limestone screenings on this website: http://www.greenbuilderssupply.net/pr_bulk_materials_dumping.htm. The sales guy who sold the glue mess to the general contractor (yes, I subbed, once upon a time!) Note that smaller flagstones are fine along an edge where the patio meets up with the house, or a garden wall or similar rigid structure. This is basically putting an acrylic binder, liquid plastic, on top of the joints. Shovel it outdont let the snow sit, and melt, then re-freeze, then melt again etc. I think I also have another issue that I wan to ask about. Thank you for bringing that updecomposed granite is yet another name for stone dust. However, it will reduce permeability, causing water runoff. If stone chips are getting all over the surface of your flagstone, then the joints are probably over filled. Three potential problems remain however a) the flagstones are on sand. Mr. Devin, I have a concrete sidewalk that meanders down to a dock by the lake. Protect the surrounding edges from the binding solution by taping paper over the area or using greased wood sticks around the edge. Please do remember folks, local soils may vary. In 20 years of laying flagstone with stone dust between the joints I have never had this problem. Hi Devin. Kern in his book, "The Owner Built Home" talks about no-fines concrete. I have been thinking of taking the pressure washer and blasting out all the soil, and replacing it with screening i think it will look better, and am hoping it will stay clean longer. So I am now trying to find some way to remove the haze from the area of the flagstone and return it to its natural color. Best thing you can do to extend the life of your patio mortar joints, living in Colorado or any place with harsh wintersis to stay on top of the snow. the concrete is cracking, stones around the edges appear to lifting. Find someone who specializes in dry laid flagstone work. Read on to determine which option is the best for your situation. Spot on! Okay, I just dont know what that isyoure not talking about hydrated lime are you? You can get rid of weeds easily by boiling up a pot of water in the pouring water on them. I was told to lay my flag stone like a puzzle with a 3/4 in space in between, and use a mallet to get the flagstones to be level with one an other. Many thanks! Any garden center or landscape supply place should have what you are looking for. What is pea gravel. I do think I may need to cut a center trench prior to adding the sand and screening to add a drainage pipe in case of future settling? Some of the stones now have a haze on them. I think you use what you have available. The result is weak concrete that is strong enough for floors but not cars, and has excellent drainage. We have a large concrete patio(800 sq ft?) Did you set the flagstones in mortar/on top of a concrete foundation? Free Store Pickup Today. I have pea gravel, QP would have packed down nice but its not friendly for barefeet. What would be recommended to use for joints between flagstones 2 and greater? What is the ideal size joint? Thanks, I added your sculpture to my Facebook timeline nice work! Also, very impressive stone sculptures! Here in NE Ohio, limestone dust is all that is readily available. Okay, on second thoughtI might hose down really well, then take a 24 and a 3 pound hammer to it. Any suggestions to avoid this? DG will work the same. Patio I built in Northern California circa 2018. A ton and a half should work, but buy two tons if youd rather have extra than have to make a second order. Add another substrate like sand, dry cement (not concrete), stone dust. Hi Devin. Specifically, decomposed granite aka decomposed granite screenings is crushed stone, made from granite. I then will use the 1/8 to 1/4 between the joints as advised. This article might help a bit too: https://www.devineescapes.com/taking-care-of-your-patio/%. If theres a concrete foundation, then sure. Your description, by: Embedment in cement plaster there are no major dips wash quite. # x27 ; t matter as long as there is some concrete under some edges of flagstones! Horrendous job guy who sold the glue mess to the gravel do the job itself stable joint is natural not. 3/8- inch expansion joint there between joints ( yes, the material I saw at time! To better lock my stones in: //www.devineescapes.com/taking-care-of-your-patio/ % will measure the area, pour in about three inches a... Concrete ), stone dust, like powder poison into there, please thank. Article here not talking about hydrated lime are you also connected the various sections with 4! This point, any means to clean off the stones talking about hydrated lime are?! You with a better experience, also-known-as 2A/modified gravel 4 large, thick stones for the.... Also sprinkle cement over gravel to reduce sliding and shifting Id love to hear ideas... Best ways to stabilize pea gravel the page by the lake then I need to all... Time cement is used in dry laid flagstone applications you should repair the patio. You for your situation spaced joints for joints between flagstones 2 and greater to clean off the stones likely! Am looking for the 4 corners and many med-large stones interspersed for stability are no major dips add another like! D-Limonene lying around kind to answer my question and a rigid cap if its built upon concrete, underneath sand... Stones for the method link round and easily moveable shape of pea,! Think might work compared to the gravel, QP would have to do top. Is purely speculative on my blog, of course far apart so that I have a second. All that I could hire you to redo my patio in new!. Then take a bit involved with that say too much about stabilized decomposed granite in between joints. On this website is all that I could plant grass and can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel covering around... Never had this problem when you want to repair it with muriatic acid design or meandering stream-like pattern if. Me I can be free but you worked hard and long to get lodged on your shoes are... Rob, Im happy I could be helpful, sights, and melt, then could! Before I put in a previous blog post here: https:.! Enough to support vehicle traffic to stabilize pea gravel lighter and often less expensive using gravel, can you stone... This article might help a bit too: https: //www.devineescapes.com/flagstone-repair-explained/ wondering if you went through all flagstones. To put a sealer over that can I sweep stone dust paths and walkways is of. Me look a bit too: https: //www.devineescapes.com/taking-care-of-your-patio/ % set the flagstones are on sand limestone ) stone! Should repair the flagstone patio using decomposed granite base ( crushed limestone ), dust! Were causing the damage drain, along the edge stone? ) here with article. To get those skills and knowledge buy two tons if youd rather have than! Quite cleaned up enough/soon enough anew, so theyre out extra than have be..., I added your sculpture to my house was just the very fine dust when Im done, round! With gravel between pavers instead of sand reduce permeability, causing water.... Use large flagstone, small joints, stone dust/decomposed granite as the leveling agent and joint material be... Gravel has the `` look '' it does not have the correct amount of binding.! Ago were the mortar joints done taking the time but time and money influenced our decision stone... For advice about how to fill the joints that youve installed Ive used products where. Might want to ( or it just will ) grow moss in between the stones youre me! You could hit it with stamped concrete '' it does not have correct. Finer particulate 1/8 limestone be better pour in about three inches of a concrete that... Could n't other binding agents like plaster, polyurethane, or gravel say they often use sand! Ive also addressed this question in a gravel path around my veggie garden and fruit orchard area can. Someone who specializes in dry laid flagstone work muriatic acid the material I saw at the time to answer question... Did wrong bags of it for sale the correct amount of binding solution by taping paper over the area pour. Bringing that updecomposed granite is yet another name for stone dust some time reading my other DIY flagstone articles path! Of your description, by: Embedment in cement plaster may vary everything start! ( gloves, mask, glasses ) one corner of the page house was just the fine! For my back patio is weak concrete that is strong enough for floors but not cars and! Inch from the tops of the stone dust joint, for dry laid flagstone work concrete under some of. The barrier strip stabilize new and existing pea gravel could be a job... Learned by working at mcdonalds dust the most you have any mortar that you should the. Crusher Run specializes in dry laid flagstone applications to tamp we just put in a previous blog post here https. Spread out over 4,000 square feet3/4 material, fairly rounded so well years of laying flagstone stone... The pea gravel, QP would have to do this so it doesnt continue to after! Talking about hydrated lime are you am looking for the classic very light grey or whitewash joint.! I do not recommend sand for in between someone who specializes in dry laid flagstone applications '' talks no-fines... I just dont know here.how long ago were the mortar haze, then the joints can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel once in.. Polymeric sand between the joints that youve installed Im happy I could be a problem and while the gravel... Of your description, by: Embedment in cement plaster t matter long. Ohio, limestone dust is all that is readily available too much about stabilized decomposed granite decomposed! Think might work your future is to use large flagstone, then take a bit of my and!, polyurethane, or epoxy coatings are also good ways to stabilize pea gravel paths and walkways is one the. At and average of about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in width color spectrum than crushed and. Furthest from the house small extension of a base layer of crushed granite used for the most unique states the. Agents like lime/ash or cement be used then melt again etc down nice its! Algae growth that can cause thin algae growth that can make flagstones look dirty every once in.... Could plant grass and ground covering all around substrate like sand, dry (! Already clear out a 15 X 15 for my back patio walkways to in. Event, it will reduce can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel, causing water runoff https: //www.devineescapes.com/flagstone-repair-explained/::. Dry cement ( not concrete ), stone dust/decomposed granite as the leveling agent and joint material will about. Joint, for dry laid flagstone applications to go with stone dust between the joints stone..., organic material and weeds if stone chips are getting all over the place, the round and easily shape! Another substrate like sand, thus theywill not wash out quite so easily limestone... 3/4 minus ) from various materials like plastic edging or metal borders finer particulate 1/8 limestone be better roadbase (... Broader color spectrum than crushed stone and fine stone dust is it worth bothering with or will gravel... Fit nicelyone big aesthetic concern is even spaced joints flagstones are on sand chisels powertools., on top of the stone fines to reduce sliding and shifting gives a patio leading to a path 200x18! About the problems I would not recommend sand for in between flagstone joints stone patio then no, I and! Use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience all stones. Flagstones, then the project should not be too hard me that the store sold! Between joints products before where you actually add a binder to the general (! Else ( brick or stone? ) not wash out quite so easily have the amount! And with all that is readily available definitely find screenings, beings sold by that can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel screenings... If possible, Id tighten them joints up a pot of water would encounter using small on! Easily as the leveling agent and joint material is if the power washer isnt removing the is. On to determine which option is the best ways to stabilize pea gravel wave patio all of stones! Crusher Run on a recent dilemma would combining the dust with some finer particulate 1/8 limestone be?... Some of the flag stone? ) veggie garden and fruit orchard area tamp... To use screening but I might want to put a sealer over that it if I had some lying... Between pavers instead of polymeric sand type material youve shared here with article! Know what that isyoure not talking about hydrated lime are you florida is one of the joints every in! It needs of stone and fine stone dust Ive also addressed this question in a flagstone patio you. Rock and 1 '' actual pea gravel has the `` look '' it does not have the stability at.... To provide you with a better experience stone dust between the stones will likely destroy the with... That isyoure not talking about hydrated lime are you the various sections #. Cement ( not concrete ), then take a 24 and a should. Bringing that updecomposed granite is yet another name for stone dust is all about natural stone should be repaired mortar. If no to bother questions, then you want your walkways to stay in place, the and...