Summary

Laying paving slabs can be very hard work and extremely 
time consuming. Do not underestimate the time taken to 
perform this work. However, with careful planning you 
can minimise the time and effort required. Read through 
the following steps to help you:
	
	1	Choosing the materials
	2	Planning the area
	3	Anticipating problems
	4	Preparing the site
	5	Cutting the paving slabs
	6	Preparing the bed
	7	Laying the slabs
	8	About grout with mortar
	
Tools
Spade, rubber mallet, spirit level, brush, 
slab cutter.

Materials
Hardcore, sand, cement, slabs

Step 1 - Choosing the materials
Before you design your patio it’s best to look at what 
materials are available. Try to avoid cutting large 
numbers of slabs by making the length of your patio 
or path correspond to whole units. An attractive 
range of slabs is available and mixing and matching 
is possible.	

Step 2 - Planning the area
Like any good project, the secret of achieving the 
look you desire is planning. Make a detailed plan 
of the garden using paper or a design tool such 
as Garden Designer 4. Mark in any permanent 
objects such as trees or ponds. Try leaving 
out the odd slab for plants and consider whether 
you will want any lighting for which you will 
need to lay the cables first. 

Step 3 - Anticipating problems
It cannot be stressed enough that any slabs adjacent 
to the house must be 1500mm below any damp proof 
course. There must also be a gentle slope away 
from the house to avoid any potential problems 
from rain. The bare minimum slope acceptable is 
1:60. For more information about how to achieve a 
crossfall click the icon below (preparing a 
sub-base section).

Step 4 - Preparing the site
Although you can lay slabs on just sand it is better 
to thoroughly prepare the base with at least 100mm 
of hardcore. If you intend to use the area as a drive 
you will need to lay a concrete slab at least 125mm 
thick as well. 

Step 5 - Cutting the paving slabs
If there are a lot of slabs to cut it will really 
pay to hire a slab/walling block cutter. Alternatively 
you can use a bolster chisel and lump hammer. You’ll 
need to score round the slab, resting it on a bed of 
sand, to achieve a 3mm/1/8inch groove on all sides. 
Raise the smaller end on a piece of wood and tap with 
the handle of the hammer. The block will split cleanly 
if the groove is deep enough.

Step 6 - Preparing the bed
When you are in a position to lay the stones you will 
need to make a mix of one part cement to nine parts sand. 
The sand bed is activated just before laying by dampening 
with water.

Step 7 - Laying the slabs
It is important that the first row of slabs is perfectly 
straight. Ideally you need at least a 9mm gap between the 
slabs. Prepare spacers from wood for this purpose. 
Ensure that the slabs have the required crossfall. 
They must also be perfectly even and without movement. 
Any movement should cause you to take the slab up and 
build up the lower areas.

Step 8 - About grout with mortar
You can then infill the gap with a dry mortar mix. 
This should be done slowly taking care not to let the 
mix rest on any of the slabs. There is no need to 
water as the ground moisture will set the mortar.