With our active freeze/thaw climate from fall to spring (Dayton OH), often mortared masonry paving systems end up falling apart....I'm curious how these would hold up in a freeze/thaw environment.
Thanks for the question Rueben. The path was constructed by mortaring the stones to a rebar reinforced concrete slab on compacted crushed gravel. The key to preventing damage during freeze/ thaw cycles is to prevent the ground under and near the structure from holding moisture and freezing. This is often done by excavating below the frost line, adding compacted crushed rock, and a thicker concrete slab. Adding good drainage methods and expansion joints is also important. To protect the surface, seal the stone and mortar with a masonry sealer to prevent moisture from penetrating the surface. I would suggest consulting a local contractor in your area to provide some local knowledge. We don't get much of a freeze here in Portland, Or so we rarely excavate below 10". You may have to go as deep as 24"to 30".
EMERALD STONE MASONRY INC.
Reuben HuffmanOriginal Author
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EMERALD STONE MASONRY INC.