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Posted by MG on November 6, 2007, 12:40 am
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like a mosaic or tiling project?
in that, I mean set up a framework for the sides (level of course)
dig out between frame to desired depth (or do this before setting up frame)
using a level as a guide (you can lay it across the frame and move it along
as you work) place stones within frame, using concrete to hold stones in
place...the stones of different depths would require different amounts of
concrete in order to bring them to the same level as frame edge
let concrete set
fill in gaps with a cement mortar type mix, and smooth out with wet
broom/sponge/whatever, then clean off stones
> hello.
>
> i'm making a garden path - not a big-deal one, more of an access path - by
> setting stones (of which we have many) into the dirt. the path has a
> slight slope.
>
> however, even though it looks really lovely (when not full of weeds) i
> have the practical problem of:
> 1: progresses very slowly, as the spaces between stones needs to be
> hand-filled & all pressed & watered in, otherwise the stones come out. it
> takes so bloody long that i'm not getting very far at all
> 2: some stones coming out _anyway_, despite my best efforts, as the clay
> shrinks when the weather's dry, & dirt washes out downhill when it is wet.
> 3: full of weeds, which wastes my time getting rid of them, & renders the
> path irrelevent (as it was just weeds before i put the path in!! ;-)
> 4: not very safe to walk on for anyone who's not me - (the
> stones-coming-out problem). about the last thing i want is some visitor
> tripping & breaking their nose
>
> my new plan is this:
>
> dig out all the stones & make an even, shallow trench (perhaps 5-10cm
> deep?). then fill in short sections with quick-set concrete, stones at the
> ready, & then press the stones to an even depth into the concrete. my
> intention is to have the stones set as closely as possible - so i assume
> some concrete displacement will occur (?).
>
> i was hoping someone here could offer a few practical tips, as i've never
> concreted anything in my life.
>
> do i need to somewhat underfill the trench to allow room for stones, or
> does it just magically work out? i really want the stones set as
> absolutely closely as i can manage.
>
> is 5-10cm deep enough to last for this application? too shallow? too deep?
>
> does one really need expansion space for heat in summer (like concrete
> footpaths have), for such a thin bit of concrete? if so, i'm not sure how
> i would do that(???) at it's widest point, it's only 70cm wide or so.
>
> the stones i use are anywhere from 3cm to 20cm in diameter. they all seem
> to have at least one flattish side, which goes upwards. the undersides
> aren't necessarily flat, of course. is any sort of cleaning or preparation
> necessary, or will they just stick where they are put?
>
> thank you VERY MUCH for any forthcoming tips. i don't really want to get
> started as cluelessly as this post sounds <g>, but clearly, filling
> between stones somehow is the only way forward, as what i've been doing so
> far just isn't going to work out. however, breaking it all up & starting
> again, if i stuff it up, is not a desirable idea, either. :-)
>
> ta!
> kylie
>
>
>
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