How to lay a patio

Watch our step-by-step video showing how to lay a patio, with expert advice and top tips to help you complete the job with confidence.

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[dannyboy]

Never lay slabs on the old dot and dab method. The water gets in and they will start to rock. Lay them on a picture frame style full bed. This means when pointing you won’t have to ram the mortar into an empty cavity and also stops them rocking

[TomRipley]

Best piece of advice: always do a dry lay before you commit. You can apply this to many areas of your life.

[Pichustrikesback]

Very nice job! I would like to add that the five points method is not recommended in areas with freezing weather because when water enters the hollow spaces under the stones it will freeze, expand and break everything in the winter. To avoid this you must put a bed of cement under each stone, so there are no empty spots under it. It is a bit tricky and you may need to play around with the cement, adding or taking out some, little by little and hitting your slab with a rubber mallet to level it properly.
Cheers!

[seagreenspiral]

6:24 Well I'm blown away by that bit of advice; I dont know what I would have done without it.

[jayp]

I'm no pro but I'm surprised that dot dabbed it. When I was younger working on construction sites that was considered a proper corner cutting method and open yourself up to a lot of problems down the road!

[davecowan]

Great DIY video, yes B & Q is about doing it yourself and this video has great money saving tips. Yes we could all call in the professionals and cost us an arm and a leg (and then you still may get bodge job Bob in anyhow)

[smfvmd]

I wouldn't fancy laying 25mm thick paving slabs on anything other than a dry mix sand and cement bed. Drop something heavy on such a thin paving supported on five dabs and it's likely to break it.

[teddybear]

Well spoken and explained calmly and perfect

[ABESuperKiteDay]

I love going to B&Q and DIY projects. Great video. Thanks.

[CarpMagic]

10mm is the recommended gap to have.

Use gap fast spacers as they are a great itemto make sure you have the perfect gap between every single slab.

[subzero]

This guy just cleared a lot up for me . Thank you for the video .cant wait to get started this weekend

[Antonyh]

Do you need to use cement? Or can you lay it directly on the sharp sand?

[stevet]

5 dabs? That’s a poor way to lay those slabs, perfect spot for ant runs etc plus only a matter of time till they start rocking 👎🏻

[JAYIRL]

Do you have to set a fall if you are away from the house ? Like in the middle of the back garden ? (3 meter paving circle) or will water gather on top if I don't.

[reisjames]

Hello, starting this tomorrow, stupid question maybe. But how did you know you have dug 125cm ? Thanks in advance

[footyball]

6:13 Sharp Sand? I was told building sand is the sand you're supposed to use.

[usernamemadness]

Do you put the 50mm of sharp sand down before you put down the cement?  Also, what's the large headed nails for that appear on the list on the end?  I don't recall their use in the demo?? Thanks

[thecruzfam]

What kind of cement did you use to mix with the sand for the fillers ?

[samueljgbxxxzFreeSpiritzxxx]

i mite be attempting this soon, wish me luck

[robertoconfessore]

Great video, thanks. Do I have to take in consideration the level of the house’s damp proof?