Flagstone Question

This is a question from Jim in Arizona about irregular flagstone.

Question:

I read your course on installing a flagstone patio over concrete, and laying a pathway in sand...both good articles...but my situation's a bit different. Previous owners layed some flag pathways in the front of our home using irregular stones. However, they layed them in a really loose and powdery sand that washes away every time it rains. Consequently, the stones are always loose, sliding around, cracking and the sands is all over the place. We're talking at least 40 linear feet and a small, adjacent patio area, but I want to redo the entire thing. How do I best prepare the subsurface so that when I set the stone in cement it is stable? Should I just have this done by a pro, and would this be pricey? I'm pretty handy and am no stranger to manual labor, but time is a precious commodity and I could think of more fun things to do, if you know what I mean. I'm in southern AZ and triple-digit heat is right around the corner! Thanks.

Answer:

Dear Jim, You might be able to border the sidewalk with steel edging. That might stop the sand from running underneath the stone.

To do it in concrete, you'll need to pour a slab and then lay it in concrete.

It can be pricey. In Denver, charges are anywhere from $15 to $20 a square foot.

It can be a lot of work, so you might want to way the costs.

Great luck to you and let us know how it goes!

David and Hans

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