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Stone Patio, Walkway and Stepping Stones From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-203

(Continued from page 2)

Setting the Stone Patio

With the footing prep done, the next phase of this project is to set the stone patio.

• If you have a particularly large or beautiful stone that you want to use as a focal piece, this can be your first stone. Dean and Derek had a large stone they wanted to set as a focal point and a base for a grill. Otherwise, begin by setting the first stone centered off the house.
  

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• Test set the stone, make any changes to its shape or size (figure J) then level it off from the house. It should be pitching about a quarter of a bubble (using the six foot level) away from the house.

• Dean and Derek use the stair unit at the house as their leveling point (figure K). Any adjustments to the pitch can be made by adding or removing crusher run underneath the stone.

  Figure J

  Figure K

  
  

  	Figure L
  	Figure M

• Set the stone and make sure it's secure--usually a good jump on the stone will do the trick. If it's not, make adjustments in the footing and set the stone using the rubber mallet (figure L). Thicker stones won't break with heavy use of the rubber mallet, but you should be careful with thinner stones. Also use the handle of your stone hammer to pack crusher run around the edges of the stone.

• With the first stone set, begin setting the rest of the stones, working out from the house. Play with ratio and color, and aim for inch-wide joints (figure M). As you set stones, continuously check to make sure that they pitch away from the house.

Safety Alert: Don't forget to wear your safety glasses when cutting or chiseling stone.

To cut or shape stones, mark your cuts on the stone with a stone chip and then make the cuts. For thicker stones, cuts should be made with a chisel and stone hammer; for thinner stones, cuts can be made by chiseling with a chipping hammer. Never attempt to chisel more than a few inches at a time as you could ruin the stone. If you do need to make a cut of several inches, mark your desired cut line and then chisel back in sections, undercutting as you go, towards that line. Undercutting and chiseling in sections helps keep the stone from splitting along a seam.

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