I have flags outside my back door and a patio that was left in the middle of my lawn for some god awful summerhouse that got taken with the house sale.
Can I lift the patio and reseed (I know that bit) and then lay the patio stones on top of the flags? I was going to sprinkle sand/cement mix and then brush into the gaps and water.
It will still be well below the damp course of the outside of the house....
I would imagine that there is little or no hardcore under the patio slabs, so taking them up and reseeding should be no problem. Although you may have to make up the different level with some topsoil.
If it was mine, I'd opt for turf rather than seed, espesially if you want to use the lawn this summer. Turf would also reduce the amount of topsoil needed (if any) because of it's thickness. Seeded lawns require quite a bit of TLC.
As for laying them on top of Flags, your best bet is to "5 Spot" them down with mortar. you can keep this to a minimum to keep your finished height down. You put a spot of cement on the ground in the middle of where you will put the slab, and put 1 spot where each corner will be. Lay your slab on top of these and tap with a wooden or rubber mallet till it's level.
When the mortar has set, then you can brush dry mix into the cracks.
Good luck and don't paint yourself into a corner.
HTH
Cheers Blunt.
I've seeded other areas in the past (it's a big ole lawn and I can cope without that bit for a while....+turf will look lush and won't match my council scrubland look I'm going for ;)
Cheers!
Out of interest and being a nosey beggar, what are flags?
Flagstones
Quote from: Blunt;200829your best bet is to "5 Spot" them down with mortar.
I read the 5 spot method is frowned upon as flags can crack more easier, but TV builders (Tommy Walsh etc) like to use it.
I'm laying a patio and was gonna use the 5 spot method but was put off by what I read.
What do you think Blunt?
Quote from: Thulsa Doom;201010I read the 5 spot method is frowned upon as flags can crack more easier, but TV builders (Tommy Walsh etc) like to use it.
I'm laying a patio and was gonna use the 5 spot method but was put off by what I read.
What do you think Blunt?
I'd say there is little difference tbh.
If the slabs are really big you've obviously got to use more spots.
laying on a solid bed is difficult for DIY'ers, although a theoretically better job.
I've never had any problems with either method.
The thing to remember (that I forgot to mention) is to
spray plenty of water over the surface before you start laying.A dry surface sucks the water out of your new mortar, which can lead to poor adhesion.
Quote from: Thulsa Doom;201010I read the 5 spot method is frowned upon as flags can crack more easier, but TV builders (Tommy Walsh etc) like to use it.
I'm laying a patio and was gonna use the 5 spot method but was put off by what I read.
What do you think Blunt?
It could theoretically lead to more cracking, but flagstones are hardy, as long as there's support in each of the spots it should be ok. Probably best to avoid driving over the patio though.