Last week we talked about ground preparation and we began to lay down our stepping-stone patio area. If you don't have it, get a copy of last week's article from our office, as I won't be reviewing that information this week
Okay, we began laying our first stepping-stone, and to make certain that it was level, we checked underneath it to make certain that the stepping-stone was fully supported. If it wasn't, we threw a handful of sand underneath it to fill it up, and then set the stone down by striking the surface with a rubber mallet.
Next, we place the next stepping-stone next to the first, and repeat the checking process, and we do this until we have four laid together forming a square. Now take a level, or at least a straight edge of some sort, and check that the surface is the same on all of them. If you need to, throw some more sand down to bring it up to level. The odds are good that if you prepared your ground correctly, you should stay level throughout the installation process, but check it on a regular basis anyway.
With our imaginary patio, we decided that we would use a stepping stone that had a different texture, like the cobblestone stepping-stone. There will be a difference in height, so we need to compensate by removing some sand, and then setting the stepping-stone. Again, we check for any height difference, and build up or remove sand until you get it the height that you want. Now, we can either repeat this process as we go, which is easy to do if this is a small area, or we can level the base as needed for the different stepping-stone. You will need to decide which is the best and easiest for you to do.
Now we need to put a border, or edging around the perimeter of the patio, and to do this, you have a couple of options. You can dig a trench 4" deep by 4" wide, and then fill it with concrete mix. You can also color your concrete mix to match your outside stepping-stones with powdered dye that is added to your concrete mix as you make it. Another is to put down edging stones. These come in 9" or 11" lengths and lock together. You bring your dirt to the edging stones and tamp it securely, then place your grass over it. Another is just to use your grass, by filling the trench with dirt, packing it, and then put your grass over the dirt. I like this method the most as it is cheaper to do, and I am the 'King of Cheap"!
Now let's say that you wanted to have a nicer corner, rather than square corner. If this is what you want, then purchase a 7" masonry saw blade for your skill saw (or better yet, use your neighbors' skill saw... that'll really bug 'em!). Now take a pencil, and draw a line from corner to corner, and then cut on that line. If you are using a carborendum blade, take your time and don't force your way through the stepping-stone, but let the saw cut it at its own pace. (Always wear a dust mask for your protection when doing this, as well as earplugs.) You should have two cut blocks when you are done, and then you have a gradual corner! This is the way that I did our patio in the back yard. If you want to make a rounded corner, then draw a line of the cut you want and make small repeated cuts to make a corner. This will take some time, so please be patient.
Okay, you finally have the stepping-stones down and it is time for the last step. Take your sand and throw it across the surface of the patio, and then sweep the sand in between the stepping-stones. When you have done this, wet down the patio, washing your sand deeper into the spaces. You will need to repeat this step two or three times at least to fully fill in between the joints. And now... enjoy it! So until next week see ya'!
Originally published in the Daily Courier June 1, 2000