"Tim Watts" wrote in message
...
Arthur51
wibbled on Tuesday 20 April 2010 22:23
.
I keep finding instructions for slab bases...
Describing a dry sand and cement mix but no mention of
wetting the raked mix before laying the slabs down.

I'm confused.

Arthur

You don't. Mix dry, lay the slabs as if on sand (pack it, tamp it, level
it,
lay slabs. Much easier than laying on wet mortar - take all the time in
the
world.

Then a gentle hose over the top will get between the slabs and start
setting
the cement. Hose is optional because enough moisture will come out of the
ground t do the job, but a light hose down will kick the process off in a
timely manner.

--

Nothing wrong with the above method. However I'm currently working on a
patio project and I'm using a weak cement mortar of about a 12:1 mix of sand
and cement. I'm doing it wet with a splash of Feb (plasticiser) which I
think is important as it allows the mortar to respond better to being tapped
down , much more so than on dry mortar in my experience It goes down 2 to 3
inches thick just over the area of a slab then I pull 3 deep grooves in it
with a bricklaying trowel and place the slab on top. The slab is easily
tapped level and aligned.

mark