can i use red sand to lay flags?

[Barry_Skyland]

Help please!

 

Im undertaking a flagging job in my garden, Im laying Indian limestone on a wet mortar bed.

 

I ordered the red building sand to mix with cement, should have I ordered sharp sand?

 

Will red sand be okay?

 

Ive searched the internet for this answer and asked people whom cant give me an answer so hopefully an expert can head me in the right direction!

[broonie]

Sharp sand, gravel and cement for concrete, building sand and cement for mortar is what I have always used.

[Barry_Skyland]

Cheers Broonie, I should be good to go then, I just noticed on alot of videos they were using sharp sand.

[broonie]

sharp sand would be okay for bedding or rough finish

[scbk]

You want sharp sand for laying slabs on

[Barry_Skyland]

You want sharp sand for laying slabs on

 

What is the difference between this and red? Wont red hold it, they are aorund 60cm x 90cm?

[scbk]

Sharp sand is more gritty and has bigger lumps

 

 

Paving Expert - AJ McCormack and Son - Aggregates for Paving and Drainage

[peatff]

Sharp sand is also known as grit sand and is more like a fine aggregate with small pebbles and rougher sand. What kind of surface are you laying the slabs on ? If it's a concrete area you could spot it on cement but on soil or soft ground you could put hardcore down and wacker it flat then screed it with a dryish grit sand and cement mix and just drop the slabs on. I only use something like 6 sharp sand to 1 cement for this and they don't go anywhere if the hard core (20mm down to dust) is compacted well.

[Barry_Skyland]

Sharp sand is also known as grit sand and is more like a fine aggregate with small pebbles and rougher sand. What kind of surface are you laying the slabs on ? If it's a concrete area you could spot it on cement but on soil or soft ground you could put hardcore down and wacker it flat then screed it with a dryish grit sand and cement mix and just drop the slabs on. I only use something like 6 sharp sand to 1 cement for this and they don't go anywhere if the hard core (20mm down to dust) is compacted well.

 

Its on a base of hardcore whacked down, i have a tonne of red sand, hoping i could use it.

[5 shires]

Its on a base of hardcore whacked down, i have a tonne of red sand, hoping i could use it.

 

Barry you already have your building sand so what you need now is sharp sand at a ratio of 1 part building sand to 3 parts sharp and a good 1 part cement ( add water)with a good squeeze of fairy to make it more smooth to use.

 

Point up as you go and after you have laid 3sq mtrs the first sq mtr will have just started to go of so you can point up without making a mess.

 

Trust me I have been doing this type of work since 1979 and have try'd every combination going and the one above is the best. Just don't skimp on the cement.