Lime mortar - exterior path

[BlueTed]

I apologise in advance if the following is a basic question (“God help him if he doesn’t even understand the basic materials” ), but I will be grateful for your thoughts. I’d like to lay a path outside out of flint because it’s a common traditional building material where I am and it comes out of the ground wherever you dig. Rather than laying the flints on soil and avoiding the likelihood of them moving, would a lime mortar be suitable? The reason I ask is because it will likely be damp a lot or the time and will collect rain water, can lime cope with these conditions once fully cured?

 

[a twig]

If it were me I would use an NHL based lime mortar in this case, no harder than 3.5. That would cope well with the conditions.

Generally you would put a slight slope on the path so rain water runs off

 

[stuart45]

The National Trust are re-laying a lot of the brick paths at the moment at Barrington Court using NHL 5. Hot lime isn't used for H&S reasons.

 

[BlueTed]

Many thanks Twig and Stuart!

 

[stuart45]

One of the problems with paths is moisture getting under the stones/slabs etc. and then freezing and lifting them. Ideally a path should have good drainage for surface water. The bedding material shouldn't be too strong or impervious to allow the moisture to soak away. Pointing between the units can be stronger to be more weather resistant.

 

[LadyArowana]

The National Trust are re-laying a lot of the brick paths at the moment at Barrington Court using NHL 5. Hot lime isn't used for H&S reasons.

I saw they were working on them but didn’t inspect too closely, we were en route to the rather fine cafe!

 

[88v8]

Never have thought to lay a path in lime, but why not.
I'd lay a base of rammed hardcore first.
As Twig says, the top surface should be sloped or cambered to run the water off.