Step-By-Step With Fairport
Before you Begin
First of all, gather all of the necessary materials and Fairport tools.
Paving stones might be heavy so seek assistance if needed.
Tip: Buy all of your slabs at the same time to avoid slab variation.
Site Preparation
Make a ‘to scale’ plan and calculate the area to ensure you enough stones to cover the area. A Fairport Block Splitter can be used to cut the blocks to size.
Use wooden pegs to mark out the plan using a builder’s square and string.
The patio should also be made at a gradual slope away from the house, to prevent rainwater. Alternatively, add a draining channel.
The Base
1. Dig down by 250mm and add 50mm of sub-base crushed stone and level out with a rake ensuring it slants away from the house to avoid water ingress. Use a Fairport vibrating plate to achieve ultimate compaction at application.
2. Add another 50mm and compact with the Fairport Plate. Compacting layers of crushed stone rather than trying to compact it all at once avoids any subsidence in the future.
3. Add 50mm of sharp damp grit sand and use the Fairport vibrating plate to compact it on top of the crushed stone.
4. Using your bucket to get precise measurements, fill the Fairport Cement Mixzr and mix the mortar with 4 parts sand to 1 part cement.
5. Add 70mm of bedding mortar, using your trowel under a paving slab to create the shape of an ‘X’.
6. Start at the edge of the patio area and work away from the property. A spirit level can be used to ensure the slant is away from the house. Use your rubber hammer to achieve this.
7. Once you get to the end of the first row of paving stones you may need to cut the last paving slab to fit – a Fairport block splitter can be used for this.
8. Return back to the first slab laid and place a slab directly down from this which is half the width of your first flag. Again, use a Fairport Block splitter to achieve this. Repeat the slab laying process.
Final Steps
9. Let the mortar dry for 24 hours before filling in the gaps with a pointing trowel as this will prevent your slabs moving out of position.
10. To achieve a nice pointed finish, wipe over the mortar when half dried with a damp sponge – this will remove and rough edges.
11. If rain is forecasted, make sure that the patio is covered, and leave to dry for another 24 hours.
Your patio is now complete.
Time allowance: 2 – 3 days.
| FAIRPORT KIT | ||
| Tool List | Tape Measure | Safety Equipment |
| Fairport vibrating plate | Trowel | Dust mask |
| Fairport Mixzr | Pointing trowel | Safety goggles |
| Fairport Block Splitter | Bucket | Gloves |
| Patio Slabs | Rubber Mallet | |
| Sponge | Builders square and string | |
