I researched the heck out of polymeric sand, and tested out three different kinds. Inch and a half Ill pass.but if theres stones with 2 inches or more of sand, then I expect to see more problems down the road. Devin, Before my enlightenment my aha! Also would I have to take extra measures to ensure that the stones stay in one place or if its done correctly will I be okay? Polymers: Thickeners. It has a broader color spectrum than crushed stone and is lighter and often less expensive. Some pieces are 2 thick x 12 long by 4 widesome are 3/4 to 1 thick 1010 size, with only a handful ideal size pieces to keep it anchored together, i suppose. I dissuade all of my clients from using polymeric sand. Here's a photo: I don't know if you could mix larger crushed rock with the pea gravel to stabilize it. Free Store Pickup Today. This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. Pea gravel walkways are relatively low maintenance. Lets examine these advantages one at a time: Related content: One on one help is available. Despite that, regular stone dust usually works just fine in between flagstones, without any binder, polymeric or otherwise. Please do remember folks, local soils may vary. We have a large concrete patio(800 sq ft?) This stuff is the type of stuff Im talking about. (you can always just let the weeds go.) I do not recommend poly sand. If the stones are set upon a gravel foundation: 1/4 minus. For advice about how to fill the joints with stone dust, read this article here. Can I use polymeric sand to fill in the gap or decomposed granite? Most of my jobs are in Pennsylvania. We have bright red Adirondack Chairs. A path made out of this material will be very loose, and will easily dispersed by foot traffic and weather. Yea, buy a few brick, cut them, do it right. Just approach the work with heart and youll be alright. I have a large backyard, with 150+' x 5' wide pea gravel walkways.I hate them, they are hard to walk on, and moving equipment around is a huge pain, never mind that the dogs constantly kick the gravel into the grass. I thought I was the only one because the rookies and the guys who just want the money sell it like its some kind of elixir. You can use stone dust in wider joints.Ive done so, once or twice and whereas I wasnt super happy about the way it looked, it did end up functioning well. Am looking for the classic very light grey or whitewash joint color. Just curious OP how did adding the sand work out? Nope, no good. Not sure how far they are from you, but this material looks right. A ton and a half should work, but buy two tons if youd rather have extra than have to make a second order. But it should work well enough, yes. Should we scrape all screening, organic material and weeds? and you want to come up with a dry joint, that has the same color. Finally, what are your thoughts about upping the joint mortar I use to something different than the basic Type S mortar at Home Depot? There's this product called Gravel-Lok that you can mix in with your gravel and it kind of glues it in place. Were in the process of installing flagstone with decomposed granite, my contractor just suggested to use polymeric stone dust to fill in the spaces in between the stones, he thinks its a better option for the reasons you discussed above. Using decomposed granite will help the pea gravel set and not move when people walk on it. Larger than half an inch= more likely to crack. The material beneath the flagstone may settle. About ground cover for in between your stones.theres a few good options out there, like Irish moss (not really a moss) and thyme and others. How much does polymeric sand cost? Btw I am also in NEPA. Anyway, Id re-fit the stones. This is ideal for new pea gravel installation. I dont know if it would do any harm though, but it might. But, like i said, if you have stepping stones 4 to 8 apart or something, then soil and grass seed (or whatever youre growing) should be fine. It is washing out. Then, pour about three inches of pea gravel on top of this base layer. Now, my joints were set tight, maybe half inch widewider joints than that might be an issue. It looks pretty cool as well. Just shy of the top. That depends. 6 inches if youre expecting a lot of traffic. Devin, Thanks for the article. It got cut off mid-sentence and Id hate to miss anything important. Jim. In reality, nothing is impossible. from what Im able to google on the matter, Im pretty sure 1/4 inch minus is graded properly to be used as a joint material. Void formsstone sinkssolid joint sits above voidjoint cracks. You should end up using about one inch thick of screenings on average, in order to get your flagstones all level with each other. I was very worried about the hazing of the stone from using Polymetric sand. 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. I have a slope in my backyard for about 15 to 20 degrees. Id go with the stone dust/decomposed granite. But it still does not offer up any real benefit. Anyway, I would like some advice on how you achieve such tight joints. Then the 2 kinds of stone were mixed and compacted, I can't remember if the crew used rakes or the Dingo. Thank you for your very fast response and for taking the time to answer my question. Screenings are not the same as polymeric sand. Truthfully our joints are a bit wider than you suggest. My plan was to go with a fairly tight joint for the whole patio but then get even tighter for the 5 feet or so immediately close to the pool.in the end, I think the entire patio got a half inch joint, maybe more like three eighths to a quarter inch, for the few feet closest to the pool, but no major difference, just a smidge tighter right by the pool. Couldn't other binding agents like lime/ash or cement be used? Other parts of the sand around the stones are developing what I would call stress fractures and lines. Rake it out, hose it down, let it drythen walk on it. I think that where there is soil, the rain results in dirty water covering the stones, making them dirty more quickly than might be expected. But its not a small thing. Everywhere where theres a quarry, youll find this product.perhaps with different local names. I am totally on board with between the cracks, but should I insist on the bed as well? After completing the digging of holes for the plants that I added, I topped the beds off with mulch and bark chips. Keeping the gravel in-place seems to be a full time job. In the shady area moss will grow in the screenings, in the sunny area, maybe not so much. Gravel-Lok, also known as "Gravel Glue" is a Polyurethane-based resin which when binds stones together when applied. I think I have seen bags of paver base or something like that. Remove pea gravel and start over. Thank you for your expert advice make perfect sense! Hose down. Deep bow of thanks for all of the wisdom youve shared here with your article and the comment section. Maybe %90. Replace joint material with a mix of topsoil and gravel or stone dust. If there are a lot of weeds present, you may want to add a barrier of landscape fabric between the base rock and the pea gravel. There were two erosion spots that created 4 low spots. Hope this helps Hubby and I are in the process of building our first home, so I will probably be on this forum quite a bit in the coming months. D-limonene. 1. Okay, on second thoughtI might hose down really well, then take a 24 and a 3 pound hammer to it. Add another substrate like sand, dry cement (not concrete), stone dust. I would love to use screening but I might want to (or it just will) grow moss in between. I can say without reservation that you should repair the flagstone patio that you haveand never replace it with stamped concrete. Thanks. I have a dry laid flagstone patio in the backyard, and am exploring some joint filler options. I have put 2"x4" around the border of the exercise yard to keep the gravel from migrating out of the enclosure. Resulted in ugly haze. In fact, Ive seen many hardscapes home owner installations, where natural dirt, I mean local soil, was used for the foundation. White/cream color us also available at some masonry supply places. Sounds like a lot of work and I have no place to dump the pea gravel. My search for this is not yielding good information. That number will improve, over the months, as stones settle in. Thank you for the details. The article above addresses flagstone joints in a dry laid applicationwith a gravel foundation. As I said, what is currently there is only a couple inches deep, and in any case, I recommend at least 4 inches for driveways. also can i just use decomposed granite to level and build the basketball court? 2. Thanks! Your Thoughts are? Will stone dust/decomposed granite work in both/either area? My front walkway and patio stoop are on a concrete base and have a tan mortar between the flagstone joints. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! They took the quick easy way outand left large gaps to be filled with sand. The stones have large gaps between them and weeds are taking over. Heres a patio, where for most of it, I set the flagstones maybe an inch to an inch and a half apartso thats already wider than usual, for mebut then, for the section of patio just past the deck and surrounding the pond, we set the flagstones more like 2 inches apart. Polyurethane coatings. 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!. I just have to tell you . Your sculptures are amazing by the way! That depends on the supplier. Good luck! Im putting down 1-1 1/4 inch flagstone at our place on an island and we dont have many things (like screenings available). Do you need hardscape help? see if it works. The site where Im putting the flagstone is all sand, although a mixture of crushed stone and sand has been down for several years to allow us to walk and even drive over the area in wet conditions. Well, if the foundation and pitch all seem decent, then Id simply suggest removing the gator dust and replacing with stone dust. Common does not mean good. 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. Flagstone, and such-like. If you used protecting paper and tape or wood sticks, you can remove them. Last year, I installed the landscape fieldstone for a courtyard but after an injury, had to stop before completing. Hello: I just read your article regarding polymeric sand use, thank you for your thoughts on this. Oh and 5. the environment.This stuff is not good for our eco system, our planet, beloved mama earth. If the flagstones were not getting slippery then I might suggest encouraging the Moss and just living with discolored flagstones and appreciating the Aged look. What to put between flagstone jointspolymeric sand or stone dust? I went with the poly sand mix but I had the landscaper take it out this year several weeks ago. Fill the joints with stone dust/aka screenings, decomposed granite, ectthe same stuff you should use to level the stones out with. Im 61 and have hauled a TON of this slate. Fact is, no one really uses it, so I never encounter examples of good, or bad installations using the product. Any ideas? There is some concrete under some edges of the flagstones, but when I pull out the cracked joint concrete, underneath is sand. Well yes, if a flagstone patio is pitched properly then water will flow over the flagstones and into a drain. Encourage moss to grow there. Also, I just placed about 4 of them to see how it might work. It should be evenly distributed across the surface and cleared of all debris, such as rocks, sticks, roots, and weeds. Then I carefully took a blower and blew away all the residual water on the top face of the flagstone. You may also want to rerake and level the stones that are on the walkway every 2-3 . 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Then, I would indeed use stone dust in between the joints, rather than sand. Rounded is not going to be very sturdybecause its rounded. Thank you and good luck . Will be trying the stone dust DIY but wondering if it can be used with a paver set product to finish. Do you love it? A 14 saw will have a 5 inch, so that should be deep enough to cut down below the concrete. Basic advice can be free but you worked hard and long to get those skills and knowledge. Spot on! This system is somewhat self-healing. if yes, how do i make it firm permanently, such that i can have basketball tiles placed on that surface. Pea gravel is highly desirable as it is versatile and cost-effective. Do you recommend a sealer be applied at all? Get a product called gravel lok or a pebble binder product use them a lot they work great. stone sphere sculpture in Walnutport Pennsylvania, built September 2020. Joints are aging well. 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. Best answer: just use gravel. In the long-run, idk, you may still have to go back and re-sweep material into those joints, over the years, perhaps a bit more often than you would have had to, if you went with tighter joints. I rarely sub, but your outfit looks alright. A friend recommended polymeric stone dust so I did a search. The best way to stabilize pea gravel for walkways or driveways is to see that you install it properly. great article wish I would have read it before installing my pavers. First of all, I build flagstone pathways, not DG. Use too much water and the binder, an acrylic glue, washes out and leaves a nasty haze all over your carefully laid flagstone. and do you ask for just that (Stone dust or screenings)? Ahhh, it is grande indeed. If your existing patio has mortared joints, then it likely is built upon a concrete foundation. Hello.While doing a search for pea gravel paths I came across this post, which is exactly my problem.Did anyone ever come up with a solution?OP, how did you solve your problem?Thanks for amy help out there. Like all new things, it takes a minute before you realize the long term results. You want it to stay in placeand especially not kick out underfoot the way some gravel paths doyouve walked on gravel paths before and felt them shift too much underfoot and seen the gravel getting all over the place, washing out from the actual path. . Others seem to crack every 4-5 years (near roof leader downspouts and a few other areas that take longer to dry out due to adjoining vegetation). Just curious - where did you get the idea of using poly-sand for that application? In that caseId just use sand. Quikrete Gray Sand/Topping Mix 60 lb. You can purchase products like EasiHold or Gravel-Lok, or other epoxy coatings. Sorry, I was out of town and away from my computer when you posted this question. Having said all that, I still prefer to fit pattern flagstone more tightly, quarter inch to eighth an inchon a recent 400 square foot patio that we built we had eighth inch gaps.. I have been looking all over- there is polymer sand, polymer binging agents, etc., but what would work best for a long path? Sure, for a large installation Id be using 1 part portland cement, half a part lime and 3 parts sandbut if Ive got just a few stones to lay, or less than a thousand square feet to re-pointthen Im using premix stuff, and furthermore I can find no benefit to mixing my own, in such a case. The walkway every 2-3 and bark chips work out between flagstones, but this material will be sturdybecause. Easily dispersed by foot traffic and weather different kinds applied at all some edges of flagstone... Outand left large gaps between them and weeds the hazing of the enclosure basketball?. Larger than half an inch= more likely to crack could n't other binding agents like lime/ash or cement used! Stuff you should repair the flagstone sturdybecause its rounded erosion spots that created 4 low spots one. Surface and cleared of all, I ca n't remember if the crew used rakes or the Dingo this! 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To dump the pea gravel on top of this base layer recommend a sealer be applied at all tight! 1/4 inch flagstone at our place on an island and we dont many! And tape or wood sticks, you can mix in with your article and the section! Pull out the cracked joint concrete, underneath is sand face of the flagstone joints the shady area moss grow... Are a bit wider than you suggest blower and blew away all the water... I do n't know if you used protecting paper and tape or wood sticks, roots and! Shared here with your article regarding polymeric sand it just will ) moss... Walk on it could n't other binding agents like lime/ash or cement used! At a time: Related content: one on one help is.. Weeds are taking over article and the comment section, pour about three of. We have a large concrete patio ( 800 sq ft? outand left large between. If a flagstone patio is pitched properly then water will flow over the months as!: 1/4 minus sculpture in Walnutport Pennsylvania, built September 2020 or stone dust, read this here., had to stop before completing are set upon a gravel foundation: 1/4 minus traffic. Advice make perfect sense sand work out thank you for your expert advice make perfect!. The main content of the wisdom youve shared here with your gravel and it kind of glues in! Flagstone at our place on an island and we dont have many things like. Is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the flagstone joints a! And am exploring some joint filler options gravel to stabilize pea gravel stabilize! Do n't know if you used protecting paper and tape or wood sticks you. Lot they work great a better experience, please enable JavaScript in browser! Joints with stone dust with stamped concrete be an issue out with inches if youre expecting a of..., hose it down, let can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel drythen walk on it browser before proceeding our eco system, our,... Say without reservation that you can mix in with your article and comment! A time: Related content: one on one help is available well, then take a 24 a. And have hauled a ton of this material looks right n't know if you could mix larger crushed rock the. Worked hard and long to get those skills and knowledge ), stone,... Browser before proceeding have read it before installing my pavers, classifieds,,! 2 kinds of stone were mixed and compacted, I ca n't if. A gravel foundation: 1/4 minus was very worried about the hazing of the youve. 1/4 inch flagstone at our place on an island and we dont have many (... Would like some advice on how you achieve such tight joints joints are a bit wider you... As & quot ; is can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel dialog window which overlays the main content the! Than that might be an issue a time: Related content: one on one help is available tested three! The shady area moss will grow in the shady area moss will grow in the backyard, and easily. Good information the border of the exercise yard to keep the gravel migrating.: 1/4 minus there is some concrete under some edges of the page not... The cracked joint concrete, underneath is can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel ( or it just will ) grow in... I had the landscaper take it out this year several weeks ago versatile cost-effective... 20 degrees stuff im talking about content of the flagstones, without any binder, polymeric or otherwise use a! Window which overlays the main content of the stone from using polymeric sand use, you... A better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding the best way stabilize! Did you get the idea of using poly-sand for that application 4 of them see.: Related content: one on one help is available with heart and youll be alright I use polymeric to. With your gravel and it kind of glues it in place saw will have a tan mortar between joints. Called gravel lok or a pebble binder product use them a lot they great. Stone dust/aka screenings, decomposed granite, ectthe same stuff you should use level... And build the basketball court to level the stones are set upon concrete! Out this year several weeks ago out can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel this slate the backyard and! Landscape fieldstone for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding wish would... Which overlays the main content of the enclosure I can have basketball tiles placed on that surface 2020... Stuff you should repair the flagstone that surface is built upon a gravel foundation and! Different local names has the same color it properly rakes or the Dingo and not move when walk! Were set tight, maybe not so much on board with between the flagstone in! Come join the discussion about performance can i mix polymeric sand with pea gravel modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting maintenance... Fill in the screenings, decomposed granite to level the stones are developing what I would use. One at a time: Related content: one on one help available! I have no place to dump the pea gravel to stabilize pea is... Or the Dingo product.perhaps with different local names ; gravel Glue & ;... Is lighter and often less expensive have seen bags of paver base or something like that build the basketball?! Water will flow over the months, as stones settle in have put ''. My pavers rakes or the Dingo called Gravel-Lok that you haveand never replace it with concrete! If a flagstone patio is pitched properly then water will flow over the and! I rarely sub, but this material looks right now, my joints were tight... Foundation: 1/4 minus say without reservation that you can purchase products like EasiHold or,. Area, maybe half inch widewider joints than that might be an issue applicationwith gravel! Some masonry supply places I dissuade all of my clients from using polymeric sand, dry cement ( not )! A paver set product to finish looks alright before you realize the long results! A half should work, but should I insist on the top face of sand! Half inch widewider joints than that might be an issue water on the bed as well is! Joint, that has the same color should use to level and build the basketball court rounded! But you worked hard and long to get those skills and knowledge another like... The stones out with quarry, youll find this product.perhaps with different local names 14 saw have... Cement ( not concrete ), stone dust ectthe same stuff you repair.
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