1. Determine the depth then dig by hand or hire
someone to bring a skid-steer in to do the
digging for you. Remember to check for utilities
before you dig!
3. Lay a
1/2" or 3/4" plastic pipe on top of the
crushed stone and hold a paver on top of the pipe
to make sure you are about 1/4" above the
intended level of the finished patio. The paver
should be about 1/4" high because they will be
compacted into the bedding sand.
5. Using a metal screed or straight 2x4, slide along
the pipes to screen the sand smooth. Fill any low
spots and repeat until the sand is smooth. Do
NOT compact the sand.
7. You
can cut pavers with a mallet and cold chisel,
or with a power saw and metal masonry blade.
Fiber blades are not recommended as they do not
last. A saw will yield a cleaner cut surface and may
fit better.
9. Compact the pavers into the bedding sand with a
plate compactor. If you are using untumbled
pavers or pavers with a textured surface, it's a
good idea to install a hard rubber pad on the
bottom of the compactor to protect the pavers. |
2.
Install 4" of crushed stone and compact
thoroughly using a plate compactor. The patio
should have a minimum 2% slope (about 1/4" in 1
foot) for drainage purposes. For driveways and
other traffic areas, install two 4" layers of crushed
stone, compacting each layer to a minimum of
98% Standard Proctor Density. The compaction can
be measured by a relatively inexpensive test
performed by a Geotechnical Engineer.
4. Using a coarse sand (NOT mortar sand) as a
bedding layer, spread the sand between two
plastic pipes. Make the layer slightly higher than
the pipes.
6. Start
against a fixed surface, such as a structure,
patio, driveway, etc. If you do not adjoin a fixed
surface, install edge restraint on two sides and
start in the corner. Install the pavers in the desired
pattern using the "click and drop" method.
Holding the paver slightly above the sand, click
against the other pavers then lower onto the sand.
If the patio has a significant slope, start at the
lower edge and work uphill to avoid "creep" in the
pavers.
8. When the pavers are laid, install the outside edge
restraint.
10. Spread sand over the top of the pavers, then
compact again. Repeat the process until you have
a good fill in the joints.
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Polymeric joint sand is designed to harden when installed. This
will inhibit weed growth and virtually eliminate maintenance. If
you decide to use polymeric sand, make sure you have a good fill
in the joints, then use a blower on low setting to blow out of
the joints to a level about 1/4" below the top of the paver.
(When you mist the polymeric sand, a glaze will come off of
it. Having the sand slightly below the surface of the pavers
will ensure that the glaze does not adhere to the pavers.) Mist
the pavers with a hose. Wait until the edges of the pavers start
to dry, then repeat. Repeat 3 or 4 times. Polymeric sand MUST be
installed on a dry day. Check the weather and make sure there is
no rain forecasted for 24 hours.
You
can use a paver sealer to protect the paver surface and bring
out the color. It will have a slightly "wet" look and will be a
little darker. Keep in mind, however, that sealers wear off over
time in the higher traffic areas. Once you use a sealer, then
every few years you may need to recoat.
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