Five dabs of mortar is why patios fail
The most common patio fault we're called to is rocking, cracked or hollow-sounding slabs, and the cause is nearly always spot-bedding — five dabs of mortar under each slab with a void in between. Water gets into the void, freezes, and the slab lets go or snaps.
We lay every slab on a full mortar bed on a compacted sub-base, with a primer slurry on the back of natural stone and porcelain so the bond actually holds. Falls are set away from the building at around 1:80, and the perimeter detail keeps water off the wall and away from the damp course.
- Full mortar bed under every slab — no spot bedding, ever
- Slurry primer on the back of sandstone and porcelain for a proper bond
- Falls set away from the house, 150mm clear of the damp proof course
- Brush-in or slurry jointing depending on the stone and the joint width
- Cuts made with a wet saw so edges and thresholds sit tight
