What is the best way to put down patio stones?
1. Outline the pation with a garden hose. Then mark 6 in. beyond the perimeter with spray marking paint. Also align adjoining paths. 2. Tie a string line to stakes driven at each end of the patio so it stretches in the best drainage direction. Use a line level to adjust the string until it’s level. Then lower one end of the string 1 in. for every 10 ft. of length to establish a sloped reference line. 3. Dig out the patio area to a depth of about 10 in. below the finished patio level. Measure from the string to gauge the depth. Hold a level on an 8-ft. straightedge to check areas on both sides of the string. 4. Cover the ground with landscape fabric after tamping it with the plate compactor. Then spread a 2-in. layer of gravel over the top. 5. Wet the gravel and compact it with a rented plate compactor. Make two passes around the perimeter. Then compact the center, first working one direction, then a second pass at a right angle to this. Finally, make two diagonal passes. 6. Set a 3/4-i
you can remove the grass or kill it with a product like glyphosate. Then you would remove any excess soil so you can start slightly lower than the rest because you will add sand and stone. Use a long 2×4 with a level on top to keep the stone level. Add sand under the stone with plastic sheeting to keep weeds out. Also never throw grass clippings on the stone these have seeds in them and thus may start grass seedlings between the stones.
