How to lay a patio
A patio can instantly update a garden and will create the perfect entertaining space for your home. Laying a patio is a relatively simple task and shouldn't take longer than a weekend (or couple of days) to complete, here we guide you through the basics:
1. Position your patio
Work out where in the garden you want your patio and mark the area. The best method of doing this is to use pegs and string to create an outline, this way any adjustments can be made easily.
2. Dig out the area
Once you have decided on the area for your patio dig out a depth of about 15cm or twice this if your patio is against your house (to match the property's damp proof course)
3. Lay the hardcore
Pour in around 8-10cm of hardcore and distribute evenly with a rake, if your patio is against your house a good tip is to angle the harcore slightly so that any water will run away from the house. Press the hardcore down into the pit with a board or if you can afford it hire a wacker plate.
4. Decide on the design
Before laying them decide on your design of your patio and whether you will need to cut any slabs to fit the patio area.
5. Mix the mortar and lay the slabs
Make a mortar mix of five parts building sand to one part cement. This can be done in a large wheelbarrow or you could hire an electric cement mixer. Create a bed of mortar between 5cm and 8cm and carefully lay the slabs on top leaving a 1cm gap between each for grouting. If you are creating a patio with a border then lay these smaller bricks/slabs around the edge of the patio and knock together gently with a hammer.
6. Wash slabs and leave to dry
Remove any splattered mortar before it dries onto the surface of the slabs and stains them. You should then leave your patio to dry overnight or slightly longer until it is set.
7. Fill in the gaps
Fill the gaps with the remaining mortar (or make a fresh batch if it has dried out) using a trowl to get the mix between the slabs. Again wash any splattered mortar away to prevent staining and leave to dry. The day after you should have a brand new patio to be proud of!
