Advice needed on levelling before limestone flags are laid

[J Sid]

simply, how many mm from concrete slap to damp course?

 

[TinyFlat]

simply, how many mm from concrete slap to damp course?

Ok, i understand. I can't measure at the mo, because I'm not there but i will. From memory I had 50-60 mm where the concrete meets the wall with the doors in but when i looked at the opposite wall the concrete there looked higher. So I think I need to take highest point of concrete to damp course. I'll measure tomorrow when back and update the thread. Thanks.

 

[J Sid]

ok, if that the case you can lay as @timeless john has instructed.

 

[Dumbo]

A damp proof specialist will tell you should have your slabs 150 mm below your damp course or you will need a pea shingle gully around your patio .

 

[TinyFlat]

A damp proof specialist will tell you should have your slabs 150 mm below your damp course or you will need a pea shingle gully around your patio .

If I don't have enough depth I'll have to dig the concrete up or gully. I hope isn't going to be the case. I've got someone over tomorrow who has a laser level so I will be able to check again by taking a measure from the highest point of the concrete across to the level of the dpc and after allowing for 15mm seeing how depth much I have to play with.

Thanks to everyone on here for responses.

 

[TinyFlat]

Hooray measured yesterday with laser, I have 70mm up to where DPC starts.

I'm going to use a mid-grey limestone (not as dark as kotah - tumbled ash grey) on 21 square meters patio. I am thinking it's easier (?) to use the mortar to joint and I'd like some kind of contrasting colour (light grey or beige?) between the slabs. How do you get the light colour, is it the sand or the cement or both? I'm using 600 x 400 size. If anyone has any suggestions for patios they've created please offer up and tell me what you've used.

 

[Blunt Tool]

Use soft sand, and if you want a sandy cream colour use snowcrete ( white cement) and you can get yellow colouring to get the colour you want. Remember the ratio you use of quantities for a consistent colour or mix dry and more than enough for area. If you want grey it is Portland cement (grey) and soft sand and you can use some snowcrete to lighten. Again remember ratios or dry mix more than enough for area. For pointing a ratio around 2 to 1 or 3 to 1 for soft sand and cement.

 

[Blunt Tool]

Once you mix it dry take a small amount mix with water and let it dry to see finished colour to make sure you are happy with it

 

[TinyFlat]

Once you mix it dry take a small amount mix with water and let it dry to see finished colour to make sure you are happy with it

That's great - thank-you. Think I will go for light grey.

 

[One Day]

Once you mix it dry take a small amount mix with water and let it dry to see finished colour to make sure you are happy with it

Would you add a touch of sbr to the mix?