Infographics – Simple Step By Step Stepping Stones Installation Guide

Natural stones have immense benefits when used in outdoor applications. Natural beauty, natural strength, a wide spectrum of colors, unique textures, and durability are some attributes hardly met with other materials. Low maintenance and easy installations are important aspects for that natural stones to get first preference when you think of the right material for stepping stones.

Today, World of Stones is going to provide you a detailed but comprehensive guide to install stepping stones in your path or walkway to make it a design statement in your garden.

Let’s see how we can do so in this Infographic.

Dry Lay Stones

Here, we prefer dry laying because we are fixing garden stepping stones to the surface, and it helps us to determine the correct distance. Standard stride length is 18 inches from center-to-center. It makes our walking natural.

Measure the Width

Now, place stones accordingly in a straight & on the central line of the path. So, how do you achieve it? It is by measuring an equal amount of distance either side of the stones to the inner sides of the path boundary.

Make a String Line

So, it is time to make a string line to keep stone surfaces even and matching the gravel or ground. Dig a post at the outside edge of the last stone at the end of the path. Use your mallet to fix it.

Insert a Second Pole

Repeat the same process of fixing another post at the opposite end of the path, and at the last stone of that side. Fix it with a hammer to it can bear the stress of the string line in between.

Roll Out The Line

Tie your string at one side pole, and aligned to the surface of the gravel/ground. It will keep surfaces of all stones aligned to the ground. Now, roll out the string to another poll and tie it in such a way that it should have some tension in the cord and keep it straight during laying stones.

Line up the Stones

Lay stones one-by-one keeping two things correct. Equal distance between the stones, and align the stone surfaces by following the string line. So, press stones against the string to keep them aligned to the outer edges of stones leaving at least 1MM away.

Mark the Paver Position

Since you are going to remove the stone to excavate the ground for further processes, you need to mark the exact position of stones on the ground. Painting spray can help you in due course. So, spray paint solution/foam on the ground around the corners of each stone, not on the top surface of the stone.

Dig the Holes for the Stones

After finishing the marking process, remove the stones and dig the ground between the marks. Keep the depth of holes up to the depth/height of the stones plus the depth of the mortar you are going to fill. It may be at least one inch more.

Mix the Mortar

Wear the safety gear and start mixing up the mortar using spade in a wheelbarrow. Keep the ratio of sand to cement 5:1. Now, add water in a quantity that can keep the mixture of mortar stick to the spade even while inverting it. It is an ideal & practical test.

Fill the Holes with Mortar

Use the spade to fill mortar in the holes. Fill mortar in enough quantity so that you can level up stones up to the ground. It is only possible with some experiences and practice because each time you cannot measure the thickness of the mortar level to match the height of stones and ground level.

Lay the Pavers in the Hole

After spreading the mortar evenly in a hole, place the stone on the top of the layer of mortar. Here, you have to take the help of a string line to keep stones in a straight line as well as match the stone surfaces with the surrounding ground level.

Level the Stones

To keep the top surface of the stone even and corresponding to the ground level, you can use your spirit-leveler. Check levels in both directions. Tap the stone into place to fix it correctly. Spirit-level also helps you keep the desired slope of the top surface of the stones or nullify it at all.

Backfill around the Stones

When you fixed all stones in a path as per the string line, now it is time to backfill the gaps around each stone. You can use the excavated ground material or gravel for it. It will make stone surfaces even and matching the level of the ground. Let mortar beneath the stones dry up for the next 24 hours, meanwhile, avoid walking on stones.

Conclusion:

We hope our installation guide has to depict all the important steps to follow for your next DIY stepping stone installation project. World of Stones USA is the destination where you can obtain the best quality natural stones for your stepping stone projects and well as complete guidance to make it memorable and successful.