FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

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> Can I drive over paving slabs with my car?   Why do you say on some products that the product should not be used for feature patios?  
Can I specify a smaller vehicle as I live up a narrow lane?   How do I unpack a crate of paving safely?  
How much area will a bulk bag of decorative aggregates cover?   How many sq m are there in each pack?  
Should I use a pointing solution to fill in the joints in my patio?   How many slabs are there in each pack?     
Should I seal my patio, if so, when?                Do your prices include VAT?  
My patio has funny white marks appearing on it, what is this and how can I get rid of it?     What does "Butt Jointing" mean?  
How can I minimize efflorescence coming through on my paving?    My natural paving has scratches after removing from the pack, is this normal?     
What is the difference between calibrated paving and un-calibrated paving?        > Do you offer trade accounts?      
What is the difference between Split, Pitched and Cottage finish walling?       Stock and availability, where is my delivery?      
The colour doesn't exactly match the photo shown on the website, why?          

 

» Can I drive over paving slabs with my car?

This is not a straight forward answer. In all honesty yes you can, as long as the paving slabs are laid correctly on a full bed of grit sand and cement mixed (almost like wet concrete). Obviously, the thicker the slab the less chance of the slab cracking. However, if your car weighs more than usual and there are any incorrectly laid slabs this wouldn't apply. Ideally LSD recommends laying cobbles, setts or block paving that is specifically suited to driveways which is 40-60mm thick.

» Can I specify a smaller vehicle as I live up a narrow lane?

As all of our products come from multiple locations throughout the UK we use different carriers to deliver to you, all have different rules and regulations. A smaller vehicle is typically classed as a 7.5tn, but the total weight that can be carried on this is under 3tn or essentially 3 packs. If your order is greater than 3 packs then there may be further charges and it will always be better off giving us a call so we can contact the appropriate delivery company and quote for you.

» How much area will a bulk bag of decorative aggregates cover?

One bulk bag of approx 1000kg will cover 10sqm at a depth of 50mm or 2 inches.

» Should I use a pointing solution to fill in the joints in my patio?

Yes, we strongly recommend using a jointing compound such as Rompox Easy. This is available in 3 colours: buff, grey and black. The Rompox will prevent discolouration of the joints and create a stable bond between the slabs that will allow for expansion and contraction of the joints in the winter months where normal sand and cement will crack under the freezing temperatures. The Romex also will not break out from the joints if ran overusing a jet from a pressure washer. This should be done once a year to remove any mould or moss that may occur.

» Should I seal my patio, if so, when?

Yes, we strongly recommend using Geofix Natural Stone Protector for natural stone paving. This will protect against bird droppings, accidental spillages of red wine or oil-based products. This paving sealant is invisible to the naked eye but makes water sit on top of the paving like water on a duck's back. It also allows mould or moss growth to be easily removed by pressed washing the patio. If the patio is laid in the summer you should wait 2 - 3 months before applying the sealant, this will allow any efflorescence to work its way out and then allow the sealer to penetrate in equal amounts. If the paving is laid in the winter then sealing should be done before freezing conditions occur as per the manufacturers' instructions.

» My patio has funny white marks appearing on it, what is this and how can I get rid of it?

EfflorescenceUnfortunately, this is a natural phenomenon called "Efflorescence" and can appear when using cement-based products that are constantly exposed to water or wet environments. Efflorescence is a process when the soluble salts dissolved by rain and groundwater in the cement, soil, water, sand, gravel or other sources crystallize and are carried to the surface of the stone or joint. Water moves from areas with lower temperatures to places with higher temperatures e.g. when the sun warms the surface of the paving it pulls the water through the paving and joints leaving behind a white residue. We recommend using hot water, fairy liquid and a stiff brush to wash the slabs with. A few repetitions of this will cause it to fade and mostly disappear. Another method is to use Lithofin outdoor cleaner. If it is not that bad then leaving it may be the best course of action as it will gradually disappear. (This photo was taken from our display area 5 days after laying.)  Although this is unattractive and rather annoying if you have just had your new patio laid, it is completely natural and in no way damages the stone.


» How can I minimize efflorescence coming through on my paving?

Before we go through the ways of minimizing the appearance of efflorescence, you need to understand about primary and secondary sources.

Primary
As the concrete cures, some of the water mix reacts with the cement to produce Calcium Hydroxide, as the paving dries the water evaporates leaving the water-soluble Calcium Hydroxide behind, creating the white marks you can see on the paving.

Secondary
Concrete products such as paving can have a relatively quick turn around time from the factory this comparatively brief time leaves the paving curing while on site. When the paving is used and laid into the ground it leaves them exposed to external factors like rain and water from the earth. These "secondary" sources will dissolve and transport Calcium Hydroxide to the surface from the curing paving.

Ways to minimize efflorescence
The ways contractors can minimize the effects of secondary sources of effloresce are threefold.

  • Use as little cement in the bedding mix, this minimizes the amount of additional Calcium Hydroxide that can be drawn through to the surface of the paving.
  • Use as dry a cement mix as possible, reducing the amount of water will lower the amount of Calcium Hydroxide dissolved and brought to the surface.
  • Using a bond bridge like a slurry primer can reduce the amount of water pulled through from the mortar bed.


Using an efflorescence remover if all else fails
Using a product that removes Calcium Hydroxide from your paving can help with large deposits while also reducing the amount left in the paving we recommend the following product.
EASY Care - Efflorescence Remover Plus - 1 Litre

» What is the difference between calibrated paving and un-calibrated paving?

Paving is generally calibrated to make it easier to lay as all the slabs are the same thickness.  The calibration process shaves a layer of stone off the bottom of the slabs making them thinner than uncalibrated stone.  We have landscapers that favour both types.  Some prefer thicker, uncalibrated stone as they worry that thinner stone is inferior to thick slabs.  Whereas other landscapers prefer calibrated slabs as they can lay them faster.

Calibrated paving is defined as an even thickness within the manufacturers' tolerances.  Typically this is plus or minus 2mm the stated thickness.  If the paving is calibrated then it tends to be easier and faster to lay.  The main reasons being the slabs are lighter and the bedding can be made to a level thickness, therefore, reducing the need to move the bedding to make the slabs fit level.

» What is the difference between Split, Pitched and Cottage finish walling?

Split Face - A split stone face providing a straight, irregular, rough finish

Pitched Face - The same Split stone with all four edges dressed(chipped) providing a raised centre.

Cottage Face - The same Split stone which is then tumbled in a machine to provide irregular round edges.

» Why do you say on some products that the product should not be used for feature patios?

The only reason we say "they should not be used for feature patios" is because of differential weathering due to a high cement content.  In essence, this means the colour may fade and become patchy.  It is nothing to do with strength or durability.  All manufacturers will say this about pressed slabs as opposed to wet cast products which are more expensive.

» How do I unpack a crate of paving safely?

The slabs of paving are stacked in a wooden crate almost like a loaf of bread. If you continually take slabs from one side of the crate then you run the risk of the pack tipping over. We advise that where possible slabs should be taken from the centre of the pack to spread out the weight evenly over the crate. As the crate starts to empty it advised that you move some of the remaining slabs to the empty side to prevent the crate tipping up due to uneven weight distribution caused by the slabs being removed.

» How many sq m are there in each pack?

If you open the product in question in your browser and then click the Specification Tab, there will be far more information to help you with your purchasing decision.

» How many slabs are there in each pack?

If you open the product in question in your browser and then click the Specification Tab, there will be far more information to help you with your purchasing decision.

Slabs per pack

» Do your prices include VAT?

Yes, all our prices include VAT. If you are VAT exempt (0%), please contact us as we can perform such transactions.

» What does "Butt Jointing" mean?

Butt Jointing your paving means there are very little to no gaps between each paving slab. We would normally recommend down to at least a 3mm gap on most paving products. There is no rule though. It is really down to your preference. Sometimes the laying patterns and the sizes of the slabs dictate the size of the paving joints.

» My natural paving has scratches after removing from the pack, is this normal?

As the slabs are packed in India, the next time they are taken out of the packs is by you or your landscaper. They are packed as tightly as possible but on the Indian roads, high seas, de-vanning, transit to us and transit to you there is a chance of movement which will cause slight scratching/scuff marks on the surface. These are normally very minor and will disappear in a short time when laid.

» Do you offer trade accounts?

We are an internet-based company who offer extremely competitive prices on paving and landscaping products, we are not a loan company or a bank! In order for us to keep our prices low, we do not give credit as we, therefore, do not have to chase customers for payment at the end of the month, which is a huge task. Our prices are already trade and as low as we can go. We may offer discounts on larger orders when we can make a saving we will pass this on.

» The colour doesn't exactly match the photo shown on the website, why?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the exact colours shown on our website. We use photos supplied by manufacturers, ones taken ourselves and also ones supplied by customers to try to show as much as possible however there are still factors out of our control. Pictures of paving can only show the colour captured on that specific time. If the photo was taken on a light sunny day or equally if the weather was damp and dull, these can all have effects on the colour shown in the picture. Natural stone is particularly difficult to display the colours, due to its nature the colours can vary quite a lot. As the stone is quarried you will be taking stones from all over the quarry going through different veins of the stone finding new shades all the time. No natural paving stone will be the same. Concrete paving slabs tend to be more uniform in colour but can vary very slightly from batch to batch.

» Stock and availability, where is my delivery?

Nearly all of our products from our many suppliers come directly from their own stockyards, Marshalls, Stonemarket, Global Stone, Natural Paving Talasey, Oakdale, Bradstone, Castacrete, and Strata to name but a few. These manufacturers don't let us have access to their current stock levels meaning we have to show all of these as in stock. If an order is placed for any of these products we will forward the order to the supplier and collect as soon as it's ready, the delivery will come directly to you to make sure its as fast as possible. If you have paid for NEXT DAY this is subject to stock being available, your order will be put on that delivery service as soon as it's ready. The NEXT DAY charge will stand as the service is NEXT DAY once it is ready.