How To Fix Uneven Flagstone Patio

How to Fix Uneven Flagstone Patio

A flagstone patio is a beautiful addition to any home, but it can become uneven over time due to settling or frost heave. If your flagstone patio is uneven, it can be a tripping hazard and it can also make it difficult to mow or edge around. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to fix an uneven flagstone patio.

### 1. Inspect the Patio

The first step is to inspect the patio to determine the cause of the unevenness. If the patio is settling, you will likely see cracks in the stones or in the mortar between the stones. If the patio is heaving, you will likely see stones that are tilted or lifted up. Once you have determined the cause of the unevenness, you can begin to make repairs.

### 2. Level the Patio

If the patio is settling, you will need to level it. To do this, you will need to remove the stones and dig out the soil beneath them. Once the soil is level, you can replace the stones and compact the soil around them. If the patio is heaving, you will need to remove the stones and add gravel or crushed rock beneath them. Once the gravel or crushed rock is in place, you can replace the stones and compact the gravel or crushed rock around them.

### 3. Repair Cracks

Once the patio is level, you will need to repair any cracks in the stones or in the mortar between the stones. To repair cracks in the stones, you can use a concrete patching compound. To repair cracks in the mortar, you can use a mortar mix. Once the cracks are repaired, you can seal the patio with a penetrating sealer to protect it from moisture.

### 4. Repoint Mortar

If your patio has loose joints, you may need to repoint the mortar. Repointing is the process of replacing the mortar between the stones on a patio. To repoint mortar, you will need to remove the old mortar and then replace it with new mortar.

### 5. Maintaining Your Patio

Once your patio is repaired, it is important to maintain it regularly to prevent it from becoming uneven again. This includes sweeping or blowing off the patio regularly, sealing the patio every few years, and fixing any cracks or loose joints as soon as they occur.

### Conclusion

By following these steps, you can fix an uneven flagstone patio and keep it looking its best for years to come. If you are not comfortable making these repairs yourself, you can hire a professional to do the work for you.