Concrete patios improve the aesthetic appeal and the value of a home. However, as they age, they accumulate cracks, craters, stains, etc., making them look dull and ugly. If you are tired of this tired-looking patio/steps on your compound, you can easily renew them using paving stones.
Perhaps, you are asking,”can I put stone over concrete patio/steps and achieve a beautiful and long-lasting surface?”
The short answer is, yes. You can put stone over the concrete patio/steps to improve the curb appeal and the value of your property. All you need is to gather the right materials and tools and follow the installation steps (discussed later) to achieve professional and long-lasting results.
Should You Put Stone Over Concrete Patio/Steps?
The paving stones are durable, affordable, easy to install and require little maintenance. They are always a good option if you want to improve the value of your home without breaking the bank.
You should put stones over the concrete patio/steps, especially if you don’t want to spend your money and time tearing the concrete subfloor. For best results, ensure you inspect the patio for any bumps, dips, large cracks, grime, and dirt, to correct them before installing the stones.
Below is a detailed description of the problems you need to look out for:
Cracks: Large cracks can hamper you from installing the paving stones evenly. Be sure to seal any major cracks on the concrete before installing the stones.
Slope: The patio needs to be slightly sloped to allow for efficient water drainage to avoid pooling. To achieve this, ensure your concrete surface has a slope of at least ¼ inch per foot to allow for drainage after installing the stones.
Dirt/grime/ or any loose debris on the concrete surface may prevent caulk, mortar, or other adhesives from adhering correctly. Be sure to clean the concrete surface thoroughly before installation to achieve better adherence and longevity of the paving stones.
Threshold: ensure that the pillars, sidings or any other threshold within the concrete patio will clear the thickness of the stones so that they don’t pose a risk of injury to the patio users.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Stone Over Concrete Patio/Steps?
Putting stones over the concrete patio/steps is simple, provided you can get the right tools and materials.
Examples of the tools you need to put stone over concrete patio/steps include spacers, paver edging, grinder, circular saw, diamond tip saw blades, level, landscaping cloth and a broom. You’ll also need stones, leveling paver sand, polymeric sand, water, etc,to accomplish your project.
Below is a detailed discussion of the tools and materials you need to put stone over concrete patio/steps.
Paving stones: For covering the concrete patio
Spacers: For creating some binding space between the stones. Also, the space allows for easy replacement of the damaged pavers in future.
Paver edging: For holding the paving stones in place during and after installation
Level: For identifying uneven areas on the concrete patio
Urethane caulk for sealing cracks on the concrete patio/steps
Leveling sand: For clearing any dips and bumps on the concrete to create a level surface
Landscaping cloth: Prevents sand from escaping into the cracks. It also inhibits the growth of weeds through the cracks
Polymeric san: For binding the sand particles and the pavers together to give you a long-lasting surface
Circular saw: For making straight cuts on the paving stones
Grinder for making round cuts on the paver stones
A broom: For spreading polymeric sand into the space between the pavers
Water: For wetting the polymeric sand to bond the paver stones well
What Preparations Do You Need To Put Stone Over Concrete Patio/Steps?
Now that you know the considerations to make and the tools to use when putting stones over concrete patio/steps, the next step is to look at the preparations you need to put stones over concrete patio/steps.
The preparations you need to put stone over concrete patio/steps include:
- Inspecting and correcting any drainage issues
- Cleaning the concrete
- Sealing the cracks
- Laying the landscaping cloth
- Leveling the concrete with sand
- Edging the perimeter of the concrete patio
Below is a detailed discussion of the steps.
Step 1: Inspect and correct any drainage issues
As mentioned earlier, you want to ensure that your concrete patio/ steps are well drained to ensure that the water seeps through the stones and doesn’t pool on the surface. If the concrete isn’t level, ensure you drill drainage holes a few inches apart to allow the water to get to the ground.
Step 2: Clean the concrete surface
Use a pressure washer to remove loose debris, grime and other dirt off the concrete surface to allow for better caulk adhesion.
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Step 3: Seal any cracks on the surface
Now, use the urethane caulk to seal any cracks on the concrete surface and allow it to dry.
Step 4: Cover the concrete patio with a landscaping cloth
The concrete surface may continue to crack in future and promote the growth of weeds within the stones. Covering the concrete with landscaping cloth will prevent the growth of such weeds and the penetration of sand into the cracks.
Step 5: Install the edges
The edges help to maintain the shape of your patio for decades. The edges can be steel, plastic, or aluminum, depending on your choice. Please choose your favorite restraints and use the 12-inch spikes to fix them into the ground.
Step 6: Cover the landscaping cloth with sand
Sand provides a good foundation for the stones. It also eliminates dips and bumps on the concrete patio, offering a flat ground for installing the stones. Make sure the layer of sand lies between 1 and 1 1/2 inches, and then install your paving stones.
How To Put Stone Over Concrete Patio/Steps
Installing the paving stones is easier than the preparation steps above.
To put stones over the concrete patio/steps:
1. Start by placing the stones along the longest straight side of the patio
2. Move to the next line until you cover the entire space
3. If you have a rectangular patio, start arranging the stones at a 90-degree angle and then move along the longest side
Note: You should place the stones in a way that you won’t disturb the sand. To achieve this, you should:
- Slide the pavers straight down to the sand without tilting. Use the edge of the adjacent stone to guide you.
- Keep the stones as close as possible (but not contacting each other)
- Avoid walking on the edge of already installed stones, as this may destabilize the sand in front of them
- Avoid walking on the leveled sand. Be sure to stand on the already installed stones far from the edge.
If small spaces cannot accommodate a complete stone, use a circular saw to reduce the stones to the easy-to-fit size. And if you have any round corners, use a grinder to reduce the stone to a smaller size.
After installing the stones:
1. Sweep polymeric sand into the space between them until they are half full.
2. Fill the remaining space with sand.
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3. Clean the stones and wait till they dry, then seal them with your favorite adhesive.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 23, 2022.