How a Bluestone Patio or Walk is Installed

Bluestone is a popular choice for use in patios and walks. This article seeks to cover the basic operation that goes into installing a bluestone patio or any situation requiring bluestone to be set in cement.

The first step is to make a base foundation. Usually a concrete foundation is used; often the concrete foundation is an existing foundation from a previous patio or walkway. The concrete should still be in somewhat good shape. The foundation base is thoroughly washed and cleaned of debris.

In a wheelbarrow, cement is hand-mixed and used to secure the flagstones. A ratio of two bags sand and one half bag cement mix is measured out carefully and mixed together while dry, with a cement hoe. Water is slowly added and mixed into the mix until the mix is wet but not soupy. Basically, as little water as possible is added as to thoroughly wet the mix.

A glue solution is mixed in a bucket with water to the proper proportions and applied to the foundation. Then the cement mix is applied to the foundation. The cement is spread thinly, usually an inch thick at the most. The glue is applied to the underside of the flagstone, taking care not to get it on the front surface.

A string is secured to two stakes and set at the level of where the flagstones will be set. Using a level, the string is adjusted until it is even.

The flagstone is then held above where it is to be laid and placed straight down into the cement. If one side of the flagstone hits the cement first, the stone will push the cement and set unevenly, needing to be redone. A piece of wood is laid on top of the stone. Using a rubber hammer, the contractor hits the wood to get the stone to sink into the cement until it is even with the level and the string. If the stone requires a lot of tapping, it is too high and will need to be redone.

When the flagstone is set, enough cement is applied between the stones using a thin trowel. Any excess is scraped off. When the cement is allowed to dry a bit and then removed with a wire brush, it looks dark in color. When applied to the correct level to begin with it usually ends a lighter color.

The walkway or patio is then allowed a week to dry. Any cement on the flagstones is removed with a strong chemical after the patio or walkway is dry.