Bluestone Project N. Ca. No Freeze Problem

Driftwood

will be setting random tile pattern over existing concrete slab,1" bluestone ,motar set here. In adjacent areas,plan on using 3 1/2" base rock,and 1 1/2"
bluestone. I'm trying to keep it affordable without cutting quality Now can I motar the joints in the base rock areas? THIS is all the same elevation .thanks 'in advance. Drift

ruskent

No you can not mortar the stone in a gravel base area. If you want to do the entire job mortar then you need to pour additional slab.

Driftwood

Thanks' Rusket.I already came to that decision! Your retaining wall and flatwork look awesome. We do many of those projects. Here are some prices I charge for versa-loc walls. This includes excavation for base rock footers, 4" Sch. 35
drain,filter fabric, 12" of drain rock full height ,backfill . $85.00 Per Sq. Ft.

Bluestone Ret. and square over existing Con. slab $35.00 Add $10.00 per Sq. ft. for new 3 1/2" slab. Pavers over new base rock $24 Sq. Ft.
Some prices come from Hometech remodeling and cost estimator,Others
experiances. We live and work in The Bay Area. This is one of the wealtheast areas in the nation. These prices won't work everywhere! Keep in mind cost of living and doing Buss. here. Average home prices haven't slipped much lately.
Average home is around $900,000. But home sales are down. We are all in this togeather! Hope this info helps a brother or sister in the trade. Still trying to figure it all out ,after 45 years as a tradesman! Help one another,please

jvcstone

Slab can get to be real expensive.--I have had good results by using stabilized sand as a base to mud set stone over.

JVC

__________________
John VanCamp
www.jvcstoneworks.com

natural1

Perhaps you could use polymeric sand as a joint filler for both the mortared area and the dry laid area. This would give you a consistent finish.

In warmer climates I do think it is possible to set stone and mortar over compacted gravel. Not ideal but I have done it a couple of times as requested. Use a healthy amount of mortar. 2"-3".