Can You Install Pavers Over Concrete Patio

Step 4: Get Gravel And Lay Gravel

Getting gravel and sand can be a challenge if you dont have a truck. You may have to order it and get it delivered to your house. I found a company nearby that sold these products and I saved on delivery because I picked up the gravel and sand.

When I purchased I paid for 1/2 a yard, whether thats what I got or not, thats what I paid for. Also, I could choose between regular gravel thats just rocks or a mixture of rucks and dust they call crusher dust. Crusher dust was a better option, it compacts much better. At the place I purchased the crusher dust gravel they used a mini tractor to pick it up and drop it in, there wasnt any real measuring to it.

I watched him drop the gravel in and I honestly thought my truck was going to fold in half. But I made it home safe. With the masonry sand, I made an executive decision and did it in 2 separate trips.

Anyway, after getting the crushed mixed gravel, I dropped it off on my driveway placing a huge painters cloth underneath. This was to prevent making a mess and making clean up on my driveway easy, you can use a tarp too. I would drop it off right near the patio area but no vehicles can really get through to the backyard unless I drove over the neighbors lawn, I wasnt going to make them mad at me.

I picked up the wheelbarrow and did multiple trips back and forth, heres where we are now:

Use a rake and spread the gravel in the squared zone. At this point, you can really begin to see the shape of your patio coming together.

Diy: How To Install Pavers Over Old Concrete

When we shared that we were covering our old concrete walkway with $1 pavers from Lowes, you guys had LOTS of questions.  Were excited to share a full tutorial with aaaall the deets.  Lets dive in!

This post is sponsored by Lowes.

Our front walkway at The Vic left much to be desired

A big part of the problem was our concrete walkway and stairs.

As a part of our curb appeal update this summer, we planned on jacking up all of the old concrete and replacing it with new concrete.  The contractors we contacted were all booked and expensive, so we started thinking of other ideas.  Would it be possible to just cover it with new pavers instead?  After lots of research, the answer was yes!  Its possible, and totally doable, to cover old concrete with pavers. Theres just a few caveats:

#1: Your surface needs to be intact and solid.  If you have a crumbling surface, this project wont work without some extra prep work.

#2: Your surface needs to be relatively flat without any large cracks or bumps in it.

Our walkway was pretty solid with the exception of two cracks about 1/2 high, which we knew we could fix with proper prep.  We grabbed a few $1 concrete pavers from Lowes and placed them in a diamond pattern to see if we liked the way they looked.

We LOVED the impact the pattern had on our curb appeal and decided to give it a shot.  Heres what we did:

Do You Have A Concrete Slab And Want To Install Pavers Directly Over The Top

This is a very popular question amongst homeowners. Many people want the look of a new driveway or patio but don’t want the cost and hassle of having to rip up the existing concrete slab. There are many different views on this and it really does depend on the nature of your particular project and the condition of your existing concrete slab.

How To Install Concrete Pavers Over Dirt: Detailed Guide With Photos

I decided my backyard needed an upgrade. I moved into a newly constructed neighborhood and all of our backyards were rocks and dirt, and let me tell you some of the rocks were boulders, they were not easy to move. Anyway, this was my first house, I dont have all the money in the world to buy a house and then pay 20-30 thousand dollars to have a company come and glam up the backyard space, but apparently, my neighbors did.

I decided to take things into my own hands, I wanted to build a backyard paver stone patio by installing concrete pavers over the dirt in my backyard. I had so many questions and didnt know where to start. This is why I want to share my entire experience, from start to finish.

One thing to note is that I live in Canada and I wanted to make sure this would last through the rough snowy winters.

Contents

Which Types Of Pavers Can Be Installed Over Concrete

This is entirely left up to your discretion! Any type of stone or manufactured paver that could normally be installed as a patio can be laid on top of existing concrete. Be sure to check out all of your options to ensure that you select the right type of pavers for your project goals.

You might choose from flagstone, bluestone, brick, manufactured concrete or interlocking pavers and more. Youll also have the ability to select from irregular or dimension cut pavers. With all of these different choices in material and design, you will have the opportunity to make space a true representation of your style.

Our Paver Base For Interlocking Pavers

ALL Masonry & Landscape Supply being the largest distributor of interlocking pavers in San Diego, is also at the forefront of the paving industry by manufacturing their own paver base which translates into a discount for their installers and homeowners alike.  Our paver base consist of crushed rock, decomposed granite and fines which have been crushed from broken concrete and mixed at our company.  Both contractors and homeowners can drop their clean and broken concrete at our facility for a small fee and pick-up paver base for their planned project.  ALL Masonry & Landscape also offers a 10,000 square feet Paver display installed over paver base for their customers, as well as, a full selection of tools for installing paver base and interlocking pavers.

Come visit our 10,000 square feet Outside Showroom today!

Step 6: Make All Of Your Cuts

Angle Grinder // Circular Saw // Battery

To make our cuts, we used a circular saw for straight cuts, and a grinder for our curved cuts. For both tools, we used diamond tip blades, which are needed for cutting through concrete and stone without chipping.  Because we laid our pavers in a diamond pattern and had big curve in our pathway, we had to make a LOT of cuts.  It took us Bryan many hours to get through all of them, but it was worth it!

Step 5: Spread Paver Sand Over Concrete

We had some trial & error in this step.  We accidentally bought this paver base sand, which we assumed was what we should be using based on the description.  We poured out a bunch of bags and stomped it down, attempting to create a solid base over our concrete.

We spread the finer paver sand on top of it, and started laying pavers.  After getting through many rows, we tested them and realized they were wobbly.  The paver base was too rocky, so we removed all of it and started from scratch.

This time, we skipped the paver base and used JUST sand.  The finer sand was so much easier to work with and gave the pavers a soft but firm surface to sit on. We poured about 3/4 of leveling paver sand on top of the old concrete and spread it to level out any minor surface imperfections.

What Do You Put Under Pavers

Sand Bedding Before laying the pavers, a layer of bedding sand is placed over the compacted base material. This layer provides a bed into which the pavers are set. The sand bedding also helps to protect the sand joints from being eroded away. Lay down one inch diameter PVC pipe across the bass material.

Step 5: Tamper Gravel

Finally, the gravel is spread over and into the full 10×10 foot squared shape. Next, it needs to be tampered down nice and hard just like I did to the soil. The harder the better because it will become more compact making a stronger base surface that is less likely to move over time. The crusher dust gravel really tampered nicely, I could feel how strong it was just by walking over it.

After spreading and tampering all the gravel I took a little break because my blistered hands were even worse after the second tampering.

I wanted to come back for round 2, I wanted to tamper again to make things even more compact. When I returned the sun had dried out my crusher dust gravel and it didnt feel as tight. I grabbed my hose and sprayed the area to get it ready for ultimate compaction.

The idea is to get everything damp not soaked. Causing water pools can damage the base structure so lightly water this surface. Next, begin tampering again. You really cant tamper too much by hand, so go until the surface feel s super hard and is relatively flat. It might not be 100% flat but try your best, the flatter the base the less likely your pavers will crack in the future.

Time to pick up the sand!

Use Adhesive To Glue The Pavers

Our Special Thin Concrete Pavers Can Save You Time And Money

But installing pavers over concrete is made easier now with the concrete thin paver manufactured and distributed exclusively by ALL Masonry & Landscape Supply.  Pavers over concrete slabs can be accomplished by installing the thin concrete paver on the perimeter with mortar or thin-set and then screeding base sand inside the perimeter and then installing the thin concrete pavers over the sand base.  Using thin pavers over unsightly surfaces is a very cost effective method over removing existing concrete, however the user must investigate the height issues, draining issues and weight issues. 

Can You Lay Paver Stones Across An Old Patio

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• What Do You Put Between Pavers to Make Them Stable?

What was once a freshly laid asphalt or concrete patio eventually begins to lose its luster through time and weathering. An ugly patio surface has the ability to mar the look of your landscape. Fortunately, there is an easy way to give your patio a facelift without the backbreaking work of demolishing and removing the existing slab. Under the right conditions and with proper preparations, you can put paver stones over a concrete porch or patio to create a new, fresh surface that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Thin Concrete Pavers Versus Thin Brick Pavers

Thin brick pavers come in many different colors and their durability and color ranges are superior to thin concrete pavers, although the user must understand that they are two completely different products, although there end use is the same.  

Thin pavers over concrete that are made from concrete can often be sand set with the perimeter pieces locked in with the use of a cementitious material and our concrete pavers with locking hubs work great in sand setting and keeping under 2 inches of added height.  

On the other hand, using Thin brick pavers that are made from clay rather than concrete are generally 7/16 to 3/4 inch in thickness and must be applied with a mortar base which is time consuming and expensive.

Things To Consider Before Installing Pavers Over Concrete:

Before you consider paving stones over the already existing concrete, you have to check if the concrete is in good shape or not. This means there should not be any large cracks and the surface must be smooth. Also, you need to check if there is enough space to add pavers over the concrete without the need to block any doorways as that cause tripping hazards. Here is the best way to install the pavers over concrete:

Step 8: Adjust Stair Treads And Risers

We bought limestone stair treads from a local stone yard to cap the front of the walkway and all of the stairs.  Its a little lighter than the concrete is, but over time it should even out.  Next year, well finish our stairs and add limestone risers, but for now, paint will get us through the winter!

Were really, reaaaaaally happy with how it came out!  We saved hundreds, if not thousands, by using these $1 pavers and working with what we had.

Glue Down The Border Pavers Over Concrete

After setting each paver, run a bead of construction adhesive up the side of it. That will keep the sand from washing out between pavers. How to lay paving stones

To get started, scrub the border area with a concrete cleaner or muriatic acid mixed with water . Any stiff brush will do, but a deck stripping brush on a broom handle makes it easier. Hose down the patio when you’re done scrubbing the border.

While the concrete is drying, grab a tape measure and a chalk line and carefully plan the locations of the borders . Using the chalk lines as a guide, glue down the border pavers along the house and two sides of the patio . We used polyurethane construction adhesive for a strong, long-lasting bond . If adhesive squishes up between pavers, don’t try to wipe it off. Just let it harden, then trim it off of the concrete patio blocks with a utility knife.

Can Pavers Be Installed Over Existing Concrete

Yes, its possible, its not our go-to choice, but its faster and cheaper. That, of course, as long as the concrete is in good condition, which is a crucial point to consider. You have to evaluate the integrity of the concrete slab. Small cracks and stains wont be a problem. Now, larger cracks will show severe signs of surface damage.

Another vital aspect to observe is whether the site has adequate drainage or not. Make sure that the area where you have installed the concrete isnt suffering from any erosion effect. Rainwater runoff, for instance, can cause problems in the future.

The erosion process can remove the soil layers below the concrete, leading to problems ranging from cracks and small unevenness to huge craters. In a few years, even months, you can be facing severe structural damage issues on your paver patio.

With that said, installing pavers over concrete is not your best choice. One of the most evident benefits of pavers is their flexibility. Pavers are designed to be flexible with the surface. That is, they will respond much better to temperature and load variations if installed over a standard gravel and sand base.

Existing Concrete On The Job Site

Once the all-important phase of choosing materials and design is done, it will be time to assess your concrete slab. Pavers are normally laid over a sand and rubble base so laying them over existing concrete will require a different approach.

Remember, your aim is to extend your living environment so its vital that the flow from indoor to outdoor space becomes seamless. Whether your project involves a patio area or driveway, you have to make sure the height of your existing surface will allow a good distance between the door sill and the thickness of the newly installed pavers and not impede upon any damp course membranes.

Consider also the new height your newly paved surface will be from the ground once new pavers are installed. Will you be able to conceal the surrounding edges and borders so as to hide the increased height? This can mean additional costs but a little creativity is all youll need.

However, if your existing slab is in poor and unsalvageable condition with cracks and is not level, it may be better to demolish the slab and start from scratch. Especially if making all these changes will cost you more than just excavating the concrete and laying paver on the ground.

Height Issues On Installation

Installing pavers over concrete has its limitations because of height issues.  The user must first establish before laying pavers over concrete patios if there will be an issue entering a structure because of height.  A standard concrete or stone paver generally has a minimum thickness with bedding material of approximately 3 inches, whereby using a Thin veneer paver, the user has more room to work with, although all thresholds and any entry’s must be addressed for elevation issues.

If You Do Decide To Lay Pavers On Concrete

Make sure that your concrete patio or driveway is entirely clean before you putting the pavers down. This will help prevent some future problems with your project. Actually installing the pavers will require some different methods and materials than a normal installation as depicted on other parts of the site. For example, youll probably have to use mortar for certain applications, as the standard sand bed/compacting method may not work. Make sure your contractor is trained in doing this procedure and has experience with it. If you are installing the project yourself, make sure you check with someone in the know who can help you with your particular situation and its installation.

Step 6 Get Masonry Sand And Spread The Masonry Sand

I went back and did 2 trips to get the sand. Next, I grabbed my wheelbarrow and wheeled it all to the backyard over the gravel area. Theres one thing to keep in mind, sand isnt going to be applied just like gravel. You dont tamper sand, we add it in and then level it out smooth. This process can be the most difficult part and most time consuming for a beginner.

The most common way of doing this is to grab a metal tube, usually an electric metallic conduit that can be found at a hardware store. I didnt have one of these on hand and didnt want to run all the way back to the store to look for one, I probably should have just to make it easier. I used a broomstick handle and strapping wood as a sliding track. Maybe not the best choice of products but it worked.

I used my level over the wood/broom tracks to create a fully flat surface. I made sure there was a very small slope towards the natural drain area. If you are building one near your house make sure it angles away from your house or it can cause water issues in the long run.

To get the smooth surface we arent pushing down or compacting the sand, the pavers will do that on their own. Just grab a flat object like a level or piece of wood and begin sliding it over the tracks, either pipe or whatever homemade object you choose, and move backward sliding and pulling the sand towards you. You cant push forward and move forward because you would be kneeling on your progress.

Diy Large Concrete Pavers Patio

Diy patios on a budget and then day two they poured the last 5 slabs backyard patio.Extra large pavers cement slabs with 1 inch black backyard landscaping patio design.Hold each piece together for a few minutes to give the adhesive a.How to build a homemade huge paver stones and gravel patio diy project whether it s for drivewa poured concrete.

However, it does require some elbow grease and a sensible pair of safety glasses.I recently revealed our diy front porch we created out of pavers and pea gravel, you can see how our simple diy porch tuaparned out here.If not, you may immediately bypass this segment and continue to the next.If you need to make a cut in a concrete paver, the old fashioned way of doing it requires the fewest tools.

Lay the first line of pavers, using the edge of your house or walkway to guide straight lines.Nowadays, protected patio designs are.Planning to diy large format pavers for your homes surfaces?Position pavers no more than 1/8 inch apart, and tap them into place with a rubber mallet.

Take a chisel and scratch out the line you need to cut.The bigger the pavers the thicker they need to be to prevent cracking.The idea of making a patio seems hard, but i promise you its actually relatively simple to diy yourself.The preformed pavers fit together in several different orientations and can transform bare dirt into an attractive and practical.

The Finished Product Depends On Whats Underneath

Third, installing paving stones over a concrete slab may be easier, and thus within the skill of a homeowner, the finished product may be somewhat disappointing. In particular, if freezing and thawing during the winter months cracks the concrete underneath, the patio, driveway, or walkway may be thus adversely affected, perhaps settling or developing its own unsightly cracks or sunken patches. Note that water and ice are constant dangers if the water seeps through the patio and rests on the concrete layer below, and this water freezes, you may experience nasty heaving and settling.

Finally, the project itself may just not look as good as one installed over a proper base. For instance, efflorescence is a problem for all concrete paver installations. This is the phenomenon of a white, chalky residue appearing at the surface of the pavers. While this is entirely normal and will go away with time, the problem is exacerbated if the paver rests on a solid concrete bed.

Pavers Over Concrete: Can It Be Done

Many people want to install pavers over concrete. Perhaps they have an old installation built on a concrete slab, or perhaps they want to avoid doing the work necessary to rip up an old concrete patio or driveway. Installing a base of aggregate may be the best option, but perhaps the best is not needed in this situation. A consumer or contractor may ask: can laying pavers over concrete be a good idea?

Doing It Yourself Is Not Hard

You can easily dress up your pool, patios, outdoor entertainment areas and even the driveway by laying pavers over existing concrete. Like any DIY project, laying pavers over an existing concrete surface can be done easily as long as it is accompanied by considerable planning, learning the needed knowledge and skills and a substantial amount of patience and determination.

If youre in need of supplies or expert advice to help you re-create your outdoor space, theres no better place to start than with friendly professionals at your local APC store!

Visit us today or call us at 1800 191 131, we would be happy to answer your questions!