[phillipt3]

I have some patio stones in the front and back yard. I want to know if it would be a good idea to lay some concrete then put the stones on top of them? Over the years the have moved and sunk and I was thinking if I was to put a layer of concrete this would not happen. If any one has a come about this or has done this please let me know.

[tickle]

Best to set patio stones in sand. If you put them on concrete they will break. At times patios made like this have to reset. I have seen some set in pea gravel but don't think this is a good idea although it is attractive.

[Raymonator]

The best way to install patio stones, is to dig out 10 inches of ground the size of your patio area. Once that is done, add about 6 to 8 inches of stone dust. Level the stone dust as best you can, then compact it by renting a small vibrating gas powered compactor, which you can lease for about 35 bucks a day at any rental store. Then all that's left to do is throw a bit more loose stone dust while installing the patio stones or tiles using a level, and shim each tile or stone as you go. You should have about an inch pitch for every 10 feet of tile to allow proper rain drainage from the patio stones or tiles. Once you are happy with the levelness of the stones, buy a special mixture of sand & grout ( available at any landscaping store who sell patio stones and retaining walls etc and broom the mixture over the stones, and into the cracks between each of the stones. Once you've done this, pick up the surplus of sand/grout mix that's left over from brooming and put back in the bag. [you may need it again eventually] Make sure you have no loose sand/grout mix sitting on the patio area. Then take your garden hose, and lightly spray the stone floor, just enough to wet the sand/grout then let dry for about 15 minutes, then repeat the spraying one more time the same way. The water will make the sand/grout mixture bond between stones or tiles, which will prevent weeds or wild grasses to come up in between the cracks.
I strongly do not recommend pouring a bed of concrete to lay the patio stones on. The concrete and stone will eventually sink into the sod or ground, which brings you right back to the same problem you are having now. A proper bed of well compacted stone dust is your ticket for having a nice level and weedless patio deck which should give you years of enjoyment. Depending on your frost area, you may have to re-level your tiles every year by just lifting a tile and shimming with stone dust, then again, maybe the ground where you live doesn't shift much. Hope this has helped.

[tickle]

I can really see me doing all of what you suggest, mr. raymonator, I know it is almost the right way do it, but from my landscaping point of view which has been accumulated over a few years, I like just getting it done with sand. Of course, levelling first, etc.

[Raymonator]

I can really see me doing all of what you suggest, mr. raymonator, I know it is almost the right way do it, but from my landscaping point of view which has been accumulated over a few years, I like just getting it done with sand. Of course, levelling first, etc.

Not a problem Mr Tickle, suit yourself. I thought you wanted to know the proper way of installing them so that you wouldn't have to redo it over and over again. Best of luck ! ;)

[tickle]

Mr. Raymontaror, philipt3 was the original poster asking for the correct way to do the patio stones. Your outline of how to do it though, is exceptional. And its ms. tickle :)

[Raymonator]

mr. raymontaror, philipt3 was the original poster asking for the correct way to do the patio stones. Your outline of how to do it though, is exceptional. And its ms. tickle :)

Doh! My apologies for assuming you were male Ms.Tickle.
However, I stand firm on how I described installing patio stones and tiles. For the life of me, I can't see why you would use sand as an adequate bed for patio stone or tile. To me, that is simply a temporary fix, as water will eventually wash it out causing the stones to become uneven and sinking or sinking into the ground. Stone dust doesn't cost much more than sand, and once compacted properly, is almost as hard as concrete, which I believe is what Mr Philipt3 was inquiring about in the first place. :)