Jan 20, 2011

Walkways (2)

Granite flagging


Flagging, whether it be granite or sandstone, looks attractive in any yard, front or back. Both it and the bed it rests on are kept in place by timber edging held by pegs.

If you want to lay the flagging flush with the ground, first excavate to a depth that allows for the flagging thickness plus a 50 mm sand bed. A mattock and a square-mouthed shovel are handy for the excavation and a wheelbarrow is essential to move the soil to its new location.

Using a string line to ensure straightness, fix the 100x25 mm treated edging in place (if it’s below ground level, you must check that it has been treated for that purpose) by nailing to the pegs. 75x25mm or 50x50mm hardwood, 400mm long, will be suitable for these. If square, sharpen them on the four edges to ensure they drive easily.

A sledge or lump hammer is the best tool for driving in the peg; a claw hammer with its small face tends to split them. Take care not to hit a telephone or service line. When nailing the edging, hold the sledge hammer behind each peg to stop it being loosened.

If you want to form a tight curve, use a sheet of tempered hardboard (or old three-ply). Rip the hard-board into strips equal to the width of the straight edging. Mark out regular curves such as quadrants using a piece of hose, electrical flex or rope. Free-form curves can be done by eye.

Position the pegs back from line of the curve by the proposed thickness of the built-up edging. Three or four layers of hardboard should suffice providing the pegs are spaced at about 450mm centers.

Once the edging is finished, lay the dry sand (or dry 10:1 sand and cement) bed and put the flagging in place; make the top of the walkway as level as possible to reduce the risk of people tripping.

Run more dry sand or sand and cement into the joints; then, moisten it with a fine spray when finished. Allow to harden.

Source:easy home projects
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1 comment:

Dhemz said...

I wish to have this type on our pathway...it looks attractive!

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