Question
i need to replace my existing front patio, it is a thin slate patio that has been destroyed with the two bad winters. i live in the mid Atlantic area. The space is 330 sq ft and will be paying a contractor to replace with ep henry or a cheaper equivalent.

Any idea on what the cost range for a project like this should be?

Answer

Slate Patio Mike: To demo an old patio with slate they will have some significant labor to remove the old mortar bed. The demolition and surface preparation, depending on the access, haul off and dump fees, could be a couple hundred dollars before you even start the repaving. Then new slate, mortared and grouted in place, could be as low as $7-8/sf, for simple slate tiles or much more depending on the type, thickness and shape of the slate you use. Also some cost will depend on how difficult access is and how far you live from a major metro area, etc. Unfortunately, there is no way to be more specific than that. I would consider getting at least two or three quotes and call tile guys. In the future, make sure the tile contractor seals the tiles or slate stones and the grout and make sure that you re-seal these items every two years. Keeping the water out is critical. If water gets into the grout and joints during the warm day-time hours and then freezes at night, it expands and pops the stones and grout loose, as I suspect you have learned. Watch the contractors when they work and be sure they are bedding the slate well in the mortar bed with no pockets.Excess mortar should come up on all sides and be troweled out for the next stone. Then they should fully grout the joints with no pockets and wipe excess off. They should let the grout set for a couple hours then wipe everything down working from one side the other. When they are done there should be no haze on the stone from the grout. The stones should be clean. Seal after waiting at least 48 hours.

I hope this is helpful,

Sean J Murphy
Landscape Architect

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