Preparation

Once you have chosen an area for your patio, mark it out and then dig down 15cm to allow for your hard-core, mortar and slabs. Lay 5 – 8cm of hard-core into the base. Use your rake to even out the hard-core as much as you can. Use a vibrating (wacker) plate to compact the hard-core. This will make the base solid and prevent the patio from sinking or moving over time. Vibrating plates can be hired from a plant hire shop by the day.

Check your Levels

Hammer some wooden pegs into the ground at random intervals over the base of your patio. These all need to be exactly the same height so use your spirit level to check them all. Ensure that they are level with any manhole covers and existing paving.

The Layout

Lay your slabs down on the ground in the design that you want. Check to make sure that they all fit and that you have enough to finish the job (and some spare for breakages). Take into consideration a 1cm gap in between the slabs for pointing.

Mixing the Mortar

Mix up some mortar at a ratio of 5:1. That’s 5 parts building sand to 1 part cement. If the patio is only small, you can mix up by hand in a wheelbarrow or on a spot board. For larger patios, it is advisable to use a cement mixer (these can be hired by the day).

Laying the Patio

Lay your slabs on a bed of mortar 5-8cm deep. Use the wooden pegs as a guide and check frequently with your spirit level to ensure that the surface is level. Tap the slabs into place using a rubber mallet (never use a metal faced hammer), removing the wooden pegs as you go. Finish the edges off with paviours to give a clean, solid edge. Once the slabs are laid, wash the surface down with water to remove any mortar before it sets. When the patio is ready to walk on, point in between the slabs with another 5:1 ratio mortar mix using a pointing trowel. Again, wash any mortar splashes off of the slabs before they dry.