Installing Your Paving Stones

A GUIDE TO INSTALLING PAVING STONES ...

If you have the time, the energy, lots of patience and the determination, why not install the paving stones to the designated area you have chosen. It is a more cost affective process as well. But the key to a successful installation process is to be well organized in preparation. Have a checklist from start to finish for the duration of installation.

Materials and Equipment Needed

Base material Sand Gloves Paving Stones Wheel Burrow Spade and broom Rubber hammer Tape Measure and a level Markers Shovel Hire a Compactor

Step One: Preparing and Excavation

Proper preparation is always required. Make sure you have investigated what lies beneath the area first and foremost as some TV and electricity cables are buried close to the surface. Mark out the area that is needed to be excavated. You can use a thin string to guide you or a marker which will mark the grass.

Excavate the area first. You may want to consider hiring a bobcat to do the job. It will be a timeless effort by doing so. You will need to dig at least 4 to 8 inches deep remembering to allow for base material, sand and paving stones.

Step Two: Base Preparation

You will need at least 3 to 4 inches in thickness of base material. The preferred base material for paving stones is crushed stone. Apply the crushed stone at least 3 inches in thickness. Spread it out evenly using a rake or broom then you compact the crushed stone.

Step Three: Applying Sand

Once you have compacted the crushed stone you can apply an inch of sharp edged sand. You will need to compact the sand as well as this will level out the area.

Step Four: Applying Paving Stones You may commence to set the paving stones on the sand bed in the pattern required. If you have chosen a pattern that features a center focal point, start laying pavers in the center of the area. If the pattern you have chosen is plain and basic you may start at one end of the area and continue to the other side.

Step Five: Fill the Joints

The joints need to be filled with silica sand. Spread the sand evenly all over joints with a broom in a sweeping motion. The sand is what actually interlocks the paving stones for stability. Pavers are made with spacers who allow the sand to go in between the pavers. You must restrain the pavers around the edges of the perimeter to keep in place.

Step Six: Final Compaction

The final stage is to compact the pavers again. A vibrating plate compacter may be used. This process is the last stage ensuring the sand is forced more in between the joints of the pavers.

Step Eight: Hosing Down the Pavers

To clean up, hose down the paving stones with a hand held hose with maximum water flow. You may find a small amount of sand will wash away each time the pavers are hosed down. The amount is insignificant and will not require re sanding. Over time dust and dirt will settle into the joints which will become naturally sealed

Step Nine: Sealing Paving Stones

Allow two to three days for the paving stones to dry. A sealer can be placed on the pavers. For advice on what sealers can be used seek your local specialist expertise. The benefits of sealing your paving stones are stains are easier to remove, brings out the color in pavers, color will not fade, will harden the sand in the joints and will last longer.

Wow! Now you can sit back and enjoy the tremendous job you have achieved.