Landscaping stones are a perfect way to enhance the beauty of a home property. When the right choice is made to complement the surroundings aesthetically, the property’s value will increase and overall become a place of comfort. However, the installation process needs to be done professionally to avoid substandard work that will make the site look shoddy.
There are several steps to take to ensure that the process is hassle-free.
Measure
When searching for stone companies near me, be ready with the calculations on the amount of square footage coveted by the stones. By getting the project measurements, it will be easier to get the right-sized rocks making the project safe. Use markings to paint or draw the outline of the area that will be covered on the ground as it will make measurement taking easier.
Calculate the width and length t get the total area. It’s essential to look at the local building codes to ensure that the planned project is not violating any laws. Any violations get fined and must be removed at the property owner’s expense.
Purchase Your Flagstones
A simple search on stone companies near me will help narrow down the area where to purchase the landscaping stones. When going for flagstone, ensure that the thickness is not less than an inch, as it will crack under the weight. It will then lead to uneven ground, which will stick out and become potential fall hazards, especially in high-traffic areas. Less than one inch is typically installed in corners and primarily just for aesthetic value.
Foundation Digging
Digging the foundation is vital to prepare the ground where the installation will be done. Without exploring the foundation, the placement will be above ground, and any movement of one stone, even with sealing, will cause an imbalance in the whole area, and with every step taken, the rocks will move. In this case, visibly mark the areas before starting the soil excavation.
Dig out any roots until 6 inches down. Any lower than that will cause the ground to be lower than the rest of the area and become potentially resting ground for runaway waters. Still, the depth is dependent on the thickness of the stones used.
Edging
Install edging on the foundations’ sides to keep it even using edging materials. Several materials will be used in this case, from vinyl, steel, lumber, carved stone, or even bricks. Steel spikes are often used to secure flexible edging materials since it is driven in the ground.
Foundation Build
Creating the foundation is the most crucial step. The foundation fabric is often placed to prevent weeds from growing. The next step is pouring pea stones or small gravel before it is tampered down to ensure it is compact. Gravel is highly recommended for people living in rainy areas as it makes it easier to make the water runoff from the patio or path.
The sand is then placed on top and covers at least two inches of the area. It’s important to smooth it over with a rake, ensuring there are no extensive gravels or boulders on it to ensure that when the flagstones are placed on top, they lay flat. Wet the whole area with a hose to help in securing the flagstones.
Placement
The placement of the stones should be done systematically and in a pattern that will bring out the beauty of the flagstones. The stones should also be placed in a specific design for the best results. When placement is done, start by working inwards, as when the edges are fit first, it reduces the chances of the stones being cut.
For firm stability, place the large stones near doorways or areas heavily trafficked. It’s possible to chisel the rocks to the desired shape if it is too big. When the stones vary in width, it is reasonable to remove sand beneath them to ensure they sit at a level surface.
Once the placements are done, another final check is needed to ensure there are no tripping hazards in any area covered. Tamping the stones down is done with a rubber mallet one stone at a time to secure them.
Joints Filling
The final step is filling the stones with a joint filler. Filling the gaps is necessary to ensure that the rocks will not move. The filling is done by dumping the filling material between the flagstones before any excess is brushed away. For a smoother look that will not get the soil everywhere, mortar use is necessary.
The mortar is a mixture of cement, sand, and water. The cement ratio to sand is one to every two parts. The mortar is slathered on every flagstone before it is fixed, with the joints also getting the same mixture. A rubber mallet ensures that the flagstones stick to a place.
Once complete, let the mortar dry before taking any other step. The joint filling is last in this aspect, and often grout is used to ensure that it is secure in place.
Please note that when getting in touch with the stone companies near me, it’s necessary to consider the type of flagstone used and the filling to ensure that they offer a contrast that shows the beauty of the stones. Once dry other water features can be installed to finish the landscaping tool.