Concrete pavers installation instructions

Pavers interlock together to form a patterned surface which can be put into service immediately. Pavers are manufactured in various textures and colors.

A big benefit of pavers is that they can be removed and re-installed, which reduces future service interruptions.

Pavers are often used for the following applications:. The popularity of pavers is expanding rapidly in the United States.

There is plenty of growth to go: in Europe there are square feet of pavers installed per person annually whereas, in the United States it is only 1 square foot per person. Insiders in the paver business say the market is on fire and poised to continue growing as the benefits of pavers become more well known. Paver Installation Considerations Properly preparing the base material is critical to the paver installation. Second, a Geotextile Fabric is installed to keep the native soil separated from the base material.

Third, the right type of base must be installed. It must compact when installed in inch lifts. The base material itself should be a granular type that compacts easily. Each state has different names for the product use as base material. However there is a rule of thumb:. According to Dave Smith of the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute, base material for under a concrete paver job should be the same type as used by the State Department of Transportation under the roads in that area.

In California this is called "type 2 base". In some areas it is called "AB3", or "21A", or "three-quarter minus". Paver Base Compaction Requirements Compaction is done in 4" lifts to achieve the maximum density and load bearing capacity.

High-quality, Class 2 Road Base is preferred for this type of project, and you will need enough to be 4 to 6 inches deep throughout the entire area. If the concrete pavers are only being used for foot traffic, you can get by with a base that is only 3 to 4 inches deep.

Place the drainage system. If the area is prone to flooding, you may want to install a drainage system to ensure that the area remains free of standing water. There are several types of solutions you can use with the objective being to direct water away from the area using pipes or gravity. Compact the base. This is a critical step for ensuring that your pavers remain secure and do not shift over time.

The base must be firm and secure. Lay bedding sand. Placed on top of the gravel base, bedding sand provides a smooth surface for your concrete pavers to be placed on. The sand needs to be 1 inch thick and perfectly leveled, the sand provides a gap and allows the pavers to be compacted. Place concrete paving stones. Use your drawing or rendering as a reference and begin laying your concrete pavers in the correct pattern. Begin with the interior pavers, placing them firmly onto the base and compacting them as you go.

Next, lay your border pavers using the same technique. Compact and set pavers. Once all of your pavers have been placed, apply pressure to set each stone to ensure that it is firmly secured to your sand base.

Add polymeric sand. This sand is preferred as the finishing touch to your concrete pavers installation. It is poured in between each paving stone and will serve to prevent weeds from growing in between the pavers, along with reducing the presence of unwanted insects.

Clean the area. Sweep away any loose sand or debris from your paving stones prior to washing them with water. Seal your paving stones. To prolong the life of your pavers, apply a paver sealer on an annual or bi-annual basis. Yep, it's done all of the time. But, pavers can be very uneven, so, you typically install them over a layer of sand or stone dust in order to get the tops flat and not have trip hazards and wobbly furniture.

However, since you're usually above the surrounding grade, you'll want to soldier the perimeter to avoid pavers moving off of the concrete. Yes No. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 5. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Some soil types require a geo-textile layer to be installed before the gravel base. It can be difficult to determine whether or not this is necessary, so it is recommended that you consult with a professional concrete pavers installer.

Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. For additional security and stability, the border of your pavers can be set in concrete to lock them in place. Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. The gravel base must be compacted correctly, or you could risk your pavers shifting out of position due to future settling or movement within the base itself. This is one of the more challenging aspects of laying pavers and why many people choose to work with a professional.

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