Difference between revisions of "Install Patio Pavers"
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Installing a patio in your yard can transform an ordinary outdoor space into a wonderful gathering area. Using pavers to create your patio is economical and allows you to build an endless variety of shapes, sizes and colors. It will take work on your part to install a patio made of pavers, but you can easily do it yourself from start to finish. | Installing a patio in your yard can transform an ordinary outdoor space into a wonderful gathering area. Using pavers to create your patio is economical and allows you to build an endless variety of shapes, sizes and colors. It will take work on your part to install a patio made of pavers, but you can easily do it yourself from start to finish. | ||
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
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#*Make sure you discuss delivery options with the sales associate. A large number of pavers will weigh quite a lot, and you will likely need them to deliver a pallet to your home. | #*Make sure you discuss delivery options with the sales associate. A large number of pavers will weigh quite a lot, and you will likely need them to deliver a pallet to your home. | ||
#Purchase pavers and other supplies. You will need more than pavers to install a patio. The patio should include a layer of gravel and a layer of sand below the pavers, as well as a barrier to keep the pavers in place. All of these supplies should be purchased before you start your project. | #Purchase pavers and other supplies. You will need more than pavers to install a patio. The patio should include a layer of gravel and a layer of sand below the pavers, as well as a barrier to keep the pavers in place. All of these supplies should be purchased before you start your project. | ||
| − | #*To determine the amount of gravel and sand you will need to buy, determine the volume of the space you are filling or the cubic feet and cubic yards.<ref>http://www.lowes.com/cd_Build+a+Paver+Patio_486093984_</ref> The gravel should be at least 4 inches deep, but this will be compacted, so you will want to add another 1.5 inches to your calculation. The sand should be over {{convert|1|in|cm|adj=on|sigfig=2}} thick, so these measurements should be multiplied by the square footage of the patio.<ref>http://www.groundtradesxchange.com/pavers/brick-pavers.htm</ref> This will give you the cubic feet you need. You can also use an online calculator, such as the one here: http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/construction/ | + | #*To determine the amount of gravel and sand you will need to buy, determine the volume of the space you are filling or the cubic feet and cubic yards.<ref name="rf1">http://www.lowes.com/cd_Build+a+Paver+Patio_486093984_</ref> The gravel should be at least 4 inches deep, but this will be compacted, so you will want to add another 1.5 inches to your calculation. The sand should be over {{convert|1|in|cm|adj=on|sigfig=2}} thick, so these measurements should be multiplied by the square footage of the patio.<ref name="rf2">http://www.groundtradesxchange.com/pavers/brick-pavers.htm</ref> This will give you the cubic feet you need. You can also use an online calculator, such as the one here: http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/construction/ |
#*If all else fails, consult a sales associate at your home improvement store. They should be able to help you figure out how much sand and gravel you will need for the square footage of your patio. Talk to them about your options for buying supplies like sand in bulk to save money. | #*If all else fails, consult a sales associate at your home improvement store. They should be able to help you figure out how much sand and gravel you will need for the square footage of your patio. Talk to them about your options for buying supplies like sand in bulk to save money. | ||
#*Make sure you buy polymeric sand to fill in the spaces or joints between the pavers. Regular washed sand will not bind together well and your pavers will become loose. | #*Make sure you buy polymeric sand to fill in the spaces or joints between the pavers. Regular washed sand will not bind together well and your pavers will become loose. | ||
| − | #*Decide if you want to lay a fabric weed barrier between the gravel and the pavers. The sand and gravel is usually enough to keep weeds from growing between your pavers, but this added layer provides additional blockage. Make sure the barrier is porous so that you still get proper drainage through the gravel.<ref>http://homeguides.sfgate.com/diy-weed-barrier-under-pavers-63388.html</ref> | + | #*Decide if you want to lay a fabric weed barrier between the gravel and the pavers. The sand and gravel is usually enough to keep weeds from growing between your pavers, but this added layer provides additional blockage. Make sure the barrier is porous so that you still get proper drainage through the gravel.<ref name="rf3">http://homeguides.sfgate.com/diy-weed-barrier-under-pavers-63388.html</ref> |
#*When you purchase pavers makes sure you buy at least 10 percent more than you plan to use. Paver blocks can break or you may need to cut some to fit around obstacles. | #*When you purchase pavers makes sure you buy at least 10 percent more than you plan to use. Paver blocks can break or you may need to cut some to fit around obstacles. | ||
#*You may also need to rent a gas powered plate compactor as well as a paver wet saw with diamond blade and stand if you need to trim or shape the pavers. | #*You may also need to rent a gas powered plate compactor as well as a paver wet saw with diamond blade and stand if you need to trim or shape the pavers. | ||
===Preparing the Surface=== | ===Preparing the Surface=== | ||
| − | #Check for underground utilities. Before digging up the backyard have your utility companies locate and mark underground lines. Local agencies vary but information on who to call in your specific area is usually available by calling 811. This will connect you to your local agencies.<ref>http://www.call811.com/default.aspx</ref> Don't make the mistake of assuming that there are no utilities in the area you are digging! It's better to be safe than sorry. | + | #Check for underground utilities. Before digging up the backyard have your utility companies locate and mark underground lines. Local agencies vary but information on who to call in your specific area is usually available by calling 811. This will connect you to your local agencies.<ref name="rf4">http://www.call811.com/default.aspx</ref> Don't make the mistake of assuming that there are no utilities in the area you are digging! It's better to be safe than sorry. |
#Mark off the patio area. Measure your patio dimensions and mark them on the ground with stakes at each corner of the plot. Wrap a string or thin rope around the stakes to outline the patio's perimeter. This will give you a good idea of how the patio will fit into the yard and it will make sure that you are only prepping the ground where the patio will actually be. | #Mark off the patio area. Measure your patio dimensions and mark them on the ground with stakes at each corner of the plot. Wrap a string or thin rope around the stakes to outline the patio's perimeter. This will give you a good idea of how the patio will fit into the yard and it will make sure that you are only prepping the ground where the patio will actually be. | ||
#*To keep your patio level from the start, it's a good idea to make sure your perimeter string is level (they sell little levels that hang from these strings at any home improvement store). If all of your strings are level, then you can measure down from the string at every step and your measurements will be based on the same starting point. | #*To keep your patio level from the start, it's a good idea to make sure your perimeter string is level (they sell little levels that hang from these strings at any home improvement store). If all of your strings are level, then you can measure down from the string at every step and your measurements will be based on the same starting point. | ||
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#* If you don't own a compactor, you may be able to rent one at a local home improvement store. You can also use a hand tamper to get edges and corners that might be missed by the compactor. | #* If you don't own a compactor, you may be able to rent one at a local home improvement store. You can also use a hand tamper to get edges and corners that might be missed by the compactor. | ||
#*Once again, measure off your level perimeter string to make sure your gravel is relatively even across the whole patio area. This does not need to be perfect, and in fact should slope a little bit away from any house it's next to, but it should give you a good idea if you are in the right ballpark. | #*Once again, measure off your level perimeter string to make sure your gravel is relatively even across the whole patio area. This does not need to be perfect, and in fact should slope a little bit away from any house it's next to, but it should give you a good idea if you are in the right ballpark. | ||
| − | #*If you plan to use a weed barrier, now is the time to lay it down. Make sure you have chosen a biodegradable and porous fabric so that it does not add toxins to the soil or interfere with drainage.<ref | + | #*If you plan to use a weed barrier, now is the time to lay it down. Make sure you have chosen a biodegradable and porous fabric so that it does not add toxins to the soil or interfere with drainage.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #Add a layer of fine sand over the gravel and compact it. The sand layer should be about an inch thick and follow the same grade as the gravel. This is the last layer you install before laying paver blocks, so make sure it is smooth. After laying down the sand and compacting it, lay down two pieces of round level piping more than {{convert|5|ft|m|sigfig=2}} apart, pushing them down into the sand. To make sure your surface is level, then take a 2 x 4 and pull it across the top of the two pieces of pipe, which will level out the sand underneath. Once the area is level, remove the pipes from the sand. You will be left with two indentations where the pipes were but the rest of your patio area will be ready for pavers. <ref>http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/paver-patio-sand-base-leveling-tip/</ref> | + | #Add a layer of fine sand over the gravel and compact it. The sand layer should be about an inch thick and follow the same grade as the gravel. This is the last layer you install before laying paver blocks, so make sure it is smooth. After laying down the sand and compacting it, lay down two pieces of round level piping more than {{convert|5|ft|m|sigfig=2}} apart, pushing them down into the sand. To make sure your surface is level, then take a 2 x 4 and pull it across the top of the two pieces of pipe, which will level out the sand underneath. Once the area is level, remove the pipes from the sand. You will be left with two indentations where the pipes were but the rest of your patio area will be ready for pavers. <ref name="rf5">http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/paver-patio-sand-base-leveling-tip/</ref> |
#*You may need to move your leveling pipes to several locations, depending on how big your patio is going to be. Just remember that you need to make the whole patio to be level overall. | #*You may need to move your leveling pipes to several locations, depending on how big your patio is going to be. Just remember that you need to make the whole patio to be level overall. | ||
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#Compact the patio. Attach a thick towel or piece of cardboard to the base of the compactor and go over the entire patio. As you go, make sure that the patio is staying relatively level. You want the pavers to be set well into the sand and that as little settling as possible will take place in the future. Don't be afraid to give a little force when compacting. While you don't want to break your freshly set pavers, they can take a good amount of force from a compactor with a cushioning cover over it. | #Compact the patio. Attach a thick towel or piece of cardboard to the base of the compactor and go over the entire patio. As you go, make sure that the patio is staying relatively level. You want the pavers to be set well into the sand and that as little settling as possible will take place in the future. Don't be afraid to give a little force when compacting. While you don't want to break your freshly set pavers, they can take a good amount of force from a compactor with a cushioning cover over it. | ||
#Finish off the edges of the patio. Fill in any areas along the patio edging with soil, gravel, grass, or ground cover. Basically you should fill the space at the edge of your patio with whatever material matches the rest of your yard. | #Finish off the edges of the patio. Fill in any areas along the patio edging with soil, gravel, grass, or ground cover. Basically you should fill the space at the edge of your patio with whatever material matches the rest of your yard. | ||
| − | #Seal your pavers. While pavers will last a very long time without sealing, taking the time to seal your pavers every few years will make them look better, preventing staining and deterioration. Use a sealer that is recommended by your paver manufacturer. <ref>http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,20293442,00.html</ref> | + | #Seal your pavers. While pavers will last a very long time without sealing, taking the time to seal your pavers every few years will make them look better, preventing staining and deterioration. Use a sealer that is recommended by your paver manufacturer. <ref name="rf6">http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,20293442,00.html</ref> |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
