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RickJ · Jul 7, 2007, 05:06 AM

Hopefully this will be the only HoneyDo item for the summer. I've seen a dozen websites about this but none of them really answer for me "what do I do now?".

I need to make this area almost level but slope a but away from the house. I'm out there now pulling it back toward the house with a 2x4 since it's higher on the yard side, but I'm just lost as to how I'll get it sloped the way I want it.

Then I read on half the sites that I should rent a compacter for the sand, and others don't even mention it.

Any tips for me? Thanks a million!

Here's the area and the flagstone I'll be laying, if it helps (the area is 25x15 feet):

Curlyben · Jul 7, 2007, 05:17 AM

When I've laid flags I have compacted the sand, but not with a compator, but a simple foot job worked.
You do want it leveled and stomped down, but you also want the flags to settle into the sand for proper drainage, etc.

Good luck with your jigsaw ;)

RickJ · Jul 7, 2007, 05:22 AM

Yes I'm seeing sites saying compacting is not needed too. I'm out there now using a snow shovel backwards and it seems to help.

My biggest bummer is after moving that 6 yards of sand (16,000 lbs) once, I'm seeing that I'm going to have to move a lot of it again - to get it back toward the house.

I'm winging it every step of the way having never done anything like this before.

Any tips on how to get the whole area sloped slightly away from the house? I've seen examples using pipes, but I don't get how they keep the pipes at the right angle while they're "screeing" the sand between them.

RickJ · Jul 7, 2007, 07:46 AM

Ok, I've got a gameplan. I'm digging trenches and laying 1x4s at the proper slope that I want, so that I can screed the sand with them.

As for compacting, I'm definitely doing it. I want maximum compaction now, not later. There will be no roof rain on the patio, so I want the rain to run off it rather than drain down... which would cause settling.

Any comments are appreciated... again, I'm winging it every step of the way :)

Curlyben · Jul 7, 2007, 08:01 AM

Sounds like a good plan to me

RickJ · Jul 7, 2007, 11:22 AM

I'm done with creating the initial slope... finishing a cold beer

then heading off to Home Depot for a Compactor

curlybenswife · Jul 7, 2007, 11:28 AM

Hehehehehehe Have you had fun rick :D

RickJ · Jul 7, 2007, 05:46 PM

No. It is my curse that my better half knows I'll try anything... :)

curlybenswife · Jul 8, 2007, 01:45 AM

That sounds like fun good for her ;)

CaptainRich · Jul 8, 2007, 06:27 AM

I love it!
My wife had a pool put in last fall. I was sure she just bought me a pool to clean. I can't stay away from it now.
But the pool builder left behind several of the excess tiles and I didn't the heart to get rid of them. I think I plan to... Do you know what that sounds like?
Anyway, I wanted to make a table top to go on the grill table beside my Weber. Having never done tile work before, I was definitely on the uphill of the learning curve. But not to the extent you are!
Yes, compact now. I heard the compacting was to prevent settling and cracking, if the stone can't support the weights going over it. A hand tamper should work fine.

Think about drainage. Is the surface going to be sealed? If not, rain will get between the stone. If you live in a freeze-zone, what about frost heaves? The better the drainage the less likely you'll get damage. Good luck, buddy!

CaptainRich · Jul 8, 2007, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by RickJ

No. It is my curse that my better half knows I"ll try anything... :)

I really love the TV ad where Dad's in the kitchen, looks like he's munchin' cereal, and the daught is looking in the refigerator, says, "We need a new one... this one's old...
You know the ad! He's convinced and Mom flips the cash without looking up. I just laugh!

RickJ · Sep 2, 2007, 06:41 AM

Thanks for the advice and encuragement folks. Some of you have asked how it's going... here's where I'm at now. The only thing left to do now is decide on what to plant between the stones.

CaptainRich · Sep 2, 2007, 06:49 AM

I said, "WOW! Rick! That's awesome!!"
Happy Labor Day Weekend!

RickJ · Sep 2, 2007, 09:46 AM

Thanks. You too! Today will be rough, though. My daughter's 13th birthday party. I'll be chaperoning a gang of 22 13 year olds :eek:

... I'd better check the fridge to be sure there's plenty of beer :p

curlybenswife · Sep 2, 2007, 09:48 AM

LMAO oh how I would love to be there right now hehehehehehehehe

RickJ · Sep 2, 2007, 09:57 AM

I would love you to be here too! The whole gang is cleaning up the house and yard in preparation for it - we could use some extra help :)

curlybenswife · Sep 3, 2007, 03:39 AM

Hehehehehehe Millie would have had a ball and id have happily helped you clean up or maybe id have been hiding in the kitchen tee hee