How To Install Patio Pavers

How To Compact Gravel For Your Patio Base

Use a plate compactor to compact the gravel, creating a firm and long-lasting base for the patio.

Lay the Base

Watch video of this step.

Once the patio layout is done, you’re ready to excavate the area. Dig deep enough to allow for the base material under the pavers.

Pavers vary in thickness. The rule of thumb is to dig to the thickness of the paver, plus another six inches for a solid base.

Our pavers are 2-1/2″ thick and we want them to be level with the ground. We need six inches of base material plus 2-1/2″ for the paver height, so we are digging 8-½” deep.

It’s a good idea to create a slight slope away from the house to encourage water runoff a 3″ slope over a 12′ patio should be fine.

Now it’s time to add the base material. First, fill the excavation with compactable gravel, to a depth of five inches, tamping it down as you go. Rake the top surface smooth and level with a steel rake . To check for high and low points and to make sure your area is level, place a long, straight 2×4 on edge across the area then place three-foot level on the 2×4, adjust the gravel as necessary .Use a plate compactor to compact the gravel, which will create a firm and long-lasting base for the patio . You can rent a plate compactor for as little as $50 a day. For best results work the compactor in a circular motion and go over all areas at least twice.

How To Install Stone Pavers

Use a mallet to hammer in the pavers to use as stepping stones. Fill in a small area, and then, check to see that they are even. Remember, you want a slight slope for drainage. Make any necessary adjustments with the rubber mallet.

Lay the Pavers

Watch video of this step.

With a firm, flat base prepared, you’re ready for the pavers. Start in the corner, setting each paver into the sand by tapping it lightly with a rubber mallet .

Using the set pavers as stepping stones. Fill in a small area then check with a level to make sure they are even. Remember, you want a slight slope for drainage. Make adjustments with the rubber mallet .

If a paver is too low, remove it, add sand and reset. Following the pattern you dry laid earlier, it won’t take much time to finish setting the pavers.

How To Build A Patio On A Slope

A well-built patio adds beauty, value, and a place for fellowship to your home. If your backyard backs right up to a hill, you may be concerned that you wont be able to make your patio dream a reality.

Im happy to tell you that whether youre using pavers, stone, or paved concrete, building a patio on a slope is not really that different than building on a level surface. Stay tuned, because Im about to share what I know about how to build a patio on a slope.

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Hardscaping And Landscape Products Susi Builders Supply

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A Simple Rectangle Paver Patio

Since you can basically build your backyard patio in any size or shape you want to, its easy to get distracted by all the different possibilities. However, the best option is most often the simplest and most obvious one. A simple rectangle might not seem very exciting but can end up looking amazing once all the pavers are in place. We really like how this design turned out and if you want to find out more about the process theres a video on that you can check out.

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How To Install Patio Pavers

Even beginning do-it-yourselfers can master laying pavers without mastering the techniques of mixing and spreading concrete.

The pavers lie on a 5 1/2 -inch bed of sand and gravel. The bottom 4 inches is gravel to provide drainage. The top 1 1/2 inches is bedding sand that helps hold the pavers in place once they’re compacted into it. Finer sand, sprinkled between the pavers, keeps them from shifting. Edging around the outside of the outside of the patio holds the pavers in place.

When you lay out the patio, slope it away from the house at a rate of 1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot to keep water from working its way into the house. Make sure you compact the gravel in 2-inch layers. If you don’t, the top will be hard but the surface beneath it will be soft.

Since no concrete is involved, you can start one day and finish another. Most pavers even simplify getting the proper spacing between blocks because tabs on the sides keep them the proper distance apart.

Plywood

Cost To Install A Bluestone Patio

The cost to build a bluestone patio averages $18 to $24 a square foot. Bluestone pavers are large, thick, flat stone rectangles or squares. They have a rich, blue/gray color that gives them their name. The flags or pavers are very heavy and may be slightly irregular in size or shape. They are laid in a bed of sand or gravel and have sand pushed between the joints. Bluestone flags are often very large, which can give your patio a more subtle look versus smaller pavers with a busier appearance.

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Secure The Concrete Pavers In Place And Fill The Gaps

Once you have finished each section and the pavers have all been laid, make sure none of the paver stones wobble. Youll want to check this before filling the joints.

I had about five that had some wobble and just about every time, the culprit was a raised bit of larger gravel that had been pulled near the surface. The concrete paver stone was resting awkwardly on the raised gravel.

The way to fix this is to gently remove the paver and check for the larger gravel that is raised. Remove it and fill in the hole with sand. Carefully place the paver back down into position.

If you dont see any gravel, then something in that spot isnt level. It could be that theres a bit of a bump, or just one edge needs a little more sand. Use the float to level it and place the paver back into place.

With all the pavers set as you need them, you can start filling in the gaps. Use the square nosed shovel to scoop the sand or paver dust and place it into the joints, but only add about ½- ¾ of the paver dust/sand.

Try to distribute it evenly between them. You can use a hand spade and/or a broom to help with this.

Now finish filling in the gaps with your decorative top layer. I used marble chips.

Spread these evenly throughout, but be sure to leave them recessed about ¼ from the top so you dont end up with a big mess of overflowing joint filler.

Those are all the steps! Now youll be ready to entertain on your new concrete paver patio!

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Easy Ways To Make Sure Your Paver Patio Doesnt Look Like An Amateur Installation

When I consider doing any DIY home improvement project, what typically prevents me from going through with the project is my fear that my lack of experience doing this type of project will show in my work and decrease the value of my home instead of increasing it. So as Ive put together this guide, Ive thought about common flaws DIY paver patios have and how to show an amateur how to easily prevent them. Im thrilled with the results. I think there are 3 common flaws on DIY projects that could be easily avoided and drastically improve the quality of the project making it look like it was professionally installed. Here they are:

Get my How to easily install a paver patio that doesnt look like a DIY paver installation for $35.

1. How to calculate exactly how much paver base and sand youll need

2. What tools youll need

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Calculate Materials To Buy

Use the outline to help you determine the quantity of pavers, base material, and sand to purchase. Measure the length by the width to arrive at the total square footage. Next, add 10 percent to allow for expected wastage. If you will be laying pavers on curves or laying them on a diagonal, increase the excess to 15 or 20 percent.

How To Design And Install A Paver Patio

• Working Time: 8 – 12 hrs
• Total Time: 2 – 4 days

• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Estimated Cost: $500 to $1,200

Patios are a valuable asset to any home’s property. Nothing can be better than enjoying the fresh air and a beautifully landscaped yard in the company of family and guests or simply finding quiet time to yourself with a book and a glass of wine.

But you need a good, hardscaped place for all of this magic to happen. Dirt and grass are poor surfaces for chairs and tables. Landscaping rock and pea gravel are economical and simple to install, but they tend to scatter. Concrete slabs are labor-intensive and expensive. But there is a compromise: patio pavers installed in conjunction with a remarkably handy product called polymeric sand.

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Overhead Costs To Build A Paver Patio

Licensed and insured contractors add overhead and profit in their bid, which typically adds 10% to 20% to the total cost depending on the size of the project. This covers insurance, staffing and payroll, truck expenses, licensing fees, warranties on your project, and more.

You could save on this expense by hiring an unlicensed handyman, but they may not be experienced or use the best materials.

Paver Patio Cost Estimator

When estimating paver patio costs, the main factors are the pavers, materials, labor, and overhead. Also, location affects the price because of local labor costs, taxes, and other regulations. For example, installing pavers in California costs 45% more than in Arkansas.

• Class II Road Base is crushed rock with pieces ranging from fine dust to ¾ in size. This material is used as the bottom base. Heavy soil must also be compacted before the Road Base gravel is spread.
• Geotextile fabric increase drainage, soil stability, and prevents the Road Base from mixing with the native soils. Its installed underneath the base material.
• Bedding sand, also called ASTM C-33 sand, is coarse and compacts well between the Class II Road Base and paving stones.
• Paver edging secures the pavers in place, so they dont shift and create large gaps. Paver edge restraints cost $45 to $60 for kits that cover up to 48. A concrete bond beam costs $1.25 per linear foot and creates a perimeter about 7 deep and 7 wide.
• Paver sand costs $0.10 to $0.30 per square foot of coverage and fills the joints of the pavers. Polymeric sand is the best choice for paver joints as it hardens and doesnt let weeds take root. A second sand sweep may be necessary once the sand has settled.

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How To Install A Paver Patio

Is a paver patio one of those ideas you are considering to spruce up the rear yard? If so, not only do you need to know how to install a paver patio, but there are a few other items you need to know. Pavers are available in a wide range of shapes, styles, sizes and color blends. Depending on the sizes you choose for your paver patio, there are large variety of patterns you can lay them in herringbone pattern, running bond pattern, basket weave pattern, etc. View these and more paver patterns.How much does a paver patio cost? If you contract a professional paver installer, you should plan on spending $15 – $20 per square foot, depending on paver type and where you live. This would include all materials and labor. If you are thinking of installing your paver patio yourself, you could expect to save approximately 50%.Now that you have some basic information, let’s learn how to install a paver patio. Note: If you are have an existing concrete patio you may want to read our step-by-step instructions on “How to Install Pavers Over Your Existing Concrete Patio”.

How Can I Level Out The Ground For Patio Pavers

Good paving is like good cake frosting: all the effort it took to create a perfectly smooth surface is not noticed by anyone. Therefore, visitors are likely to applaud the color, architecture, and ingenuity of your paving project without complimenting you on how beautiful it is. Normal paving is a challenge. Apply patience, work step by step and let the silence of your viewers signal a fine job well done.

Step 1

To mark the outer edge and form of your project, layout a rope or garden hose. Suppose its a rectangle 10 feet by 12 feet, for instance.

Step 2

At the corners of the rectangle, pound stakes into the ground. Wind string and tie securely around the stakes at ground level. Remove the garden hose or chain.

Step 3

Slide the carpenters level all the way around the rectangle along the string. The ground should be level for pavers to drain, but with a slope of 1 inch to every 4 feet in length, to encourage drainage. To demonstrate a slope of 3 inches over a length of 12 feet, use your measuring tape to change the string as required. Verify that the strings slope is also at the level of your carpenter. The bubble will be slightly off-center on the slope at bubble-level. At the off-center point, mark the level gauge with tape or a marker, so you can check for a clear slope across the field. For a level slope, youre calculating, not just a flat surface.

Are You Considering Purchasing Patio Pavers?

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Brick Paver Driveway Cost

The average cost to install brick driveway pavers is $10 to $30 per square foot, with most homeowners spending $5,700 to $17,200 depending on the size. A cobblestone paver driveway costs more but lasts the longest, while interlocking pavers provide the best solid surface.

A driveway for heavy vehicles costs more, because the base must include 6 12 of aggregate compared to the pedestrian 4 6.

Level The Ground With Fill Dirt

To make sure that all of your patio pavers line up perfectly, you need to be placing them on top of level land. To level your land, you are going to want to use clean fill dirt. The words Clean and Dirt sound like they should not go together, but in this case, it is very important that they do. Clean Virginia fill dirt is dirt that does not contain toxins, organic matter, or large debris. Fill dirt is primarily used for construction purposes such as building foundations or projects that require land grading. If topsoil is used for foundations or land leveling, the project will not be successful because topsoil contains organic matter that breaks down over time. This will result in the volume of the topsoil changing, which could then potentially cause any foundations on top to shift. This is also a problem when it comes to leveling land because if you are trying to fill a low point, the low point may be initially filled to be level with the rest of the land, but over time the changing volume of the topsoil will result in the low point returning. Low points will lead to your patio pavers sitting unevenly.

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