Hire a tradesperson!

Our tradespeople are ready to help. Post a job for free, read reviews and hire today.

Need some tips or advise?

Gardening & Landscaping

Sharp sand or builders sand ?

Anonymous user 28 February 2024 - 2.52 PM

I am laying a patio at home in a couple of weeks. The paving flags are between 22mm-30mm thick. Should I mix sharp sand with the cement or builders sand and should I use 5 parts sand to 1 part cement? Thanks.

Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?

5 Answers

Anonymous user

Use sharp sand and a little builders/soft sand 4:1:1 Sharp:Soft:Cement Not too much water as they may float around when laid. Make sure you wet them thoroughly after laying though for the next few days and no walking on them for as long as possible. Point the joints with a strong 2:1:1 Soft:Sharp:Cement mortar mix Again not too wet but wet once done and wet every day for the next week - especially important when the weather's hot.
Answered26 May 2012
84

Anonymous user

Hi you use both. The mix is 4 sharp sand, 2 building sand, 1 cement,also put a bit of sbr bonding agent in.Keep the top surface of your flags minimum 150 mil below any damp courses and running away from your house if laying against your house. good luck John
Answered26 May 2012
39

Anonymous user

If you don't know this then get someone in who does, who knows how the patio will end up? I know nothing about computers so I wouldn't think about building one.
Answered25 May 2012
37

Anonymous user

There's more to laying paving than simply the ratio and type of mortar mix. Ask 5 different paviours and you'll get 5 different methods, some use a little sharp sand to strengthen the mortar and some prefer soft only, depending of course on the type of slabs, substrate / ground and how it's been prepared. Some applications / slabs / ground combinations don't require any mortar at all. Don't forget the correct falls for all that surface water will you and the level below DPC and good luck with the cutting & pointing.
Answered26 May 2012
21

Roc builders
Rating: 5 out of 55516 reviews
Harlow
With sub again :) What about consistency of gear,correct falls etc?
Answered26 May 2012
16