Step 1: Purchase Stone At Rock N Dirt Yard
Determine the size, shape and location of the flagstone patio and walkway. Bring Rock N Dirt Yard the measurements and select the material your new flagstone patio. Palletized stone is a pallet of pre-sorted premium stone. It is more expensive but will save time because the stones are a more uniform size, shape and quality. Rock N Dirt Yard will deliver the material to the project site.
Step 2: Prepare Base
Spray an outline of the patio and walkway with marking paint. Excavate the area to a depth of 6″. Smooth and even out the grade with a landscaping rake. Further level and compact the surface using a hand or power tamper. Add and tamp 1″ layers of gravel until there is a firm 3″ thick compacted gravel base.
Step 3: Set Flagstones
Starting closest to the house, begin setting flagstones onto the gravel base. Make sure each stone is well seated in the gravel by standing on it or hitting with a rubber mallet. Continue setting stones, aiming for a consistent 4″ gap between stones. Use a level to maintain a slight pitch away from the house.
Tip: To shape stones, mark the cuts on the stone with a pencil and chip away pieces with a hammer and chisel. Do not attempt to chisel more than a few inches at a time as this could ruin the stone.
Step 4: Fill Joints
Choices of material for filling the joints include pea gravel, sand or topsoil. The latter will allow grass, moss or other crevice-growing plants like lemon thyme to grow between the stones. Once the material is selected, dump it on top of the patio and walkway and work it into the joints with a sweeper brush. Pack the first layer into the joints well using a jointer. Continue adding and sweeping until the joints are filled.
