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Laying Pavers
Posted on 5/29/23 at 8:13 pm
Posted on 5/29/23 at 8:13 pm
How many of you baws have ever laid pavers for a patio or walkway? Doing it myself for a small walkway and man this shite is rough. I feel I get it level, I lay the pavers and then I can hear a couple of them moving and scraping against another. Then I feel I have to take them all up and redo it. Rinse and repeat.
I am using a level to screed the sand, but even when I feel it's level the pavers still move. I am using about 1" sand with the Brock synthetic paver base on top, and the pavers on top of that. Pavers are 16x16.
Any tips? Help a poor worn out baw.
I am using a level to screed the sand, but even when I feel it's level the pavers still move. I am using about 1" sand with the Brock synthetic paver base on top, and the pavers on top of that. Pavers are 16x16.
Any tips? Help a poor worn out baw.
This post was edited on 5/29/23 at 8:14 pm
7
Posted on 5/29/23 at 8:23 pm to AUstar
Watch Roger Cook videos from Ask/This Old House. He always said don’t ever use sand in any form as a base. Also use a vibration packer on your base.
Posted on 5/29/23 at 8:42 pm to PoorOtis
Most important is a very compact gravel bed. Sand can go on top of that and then swept in on top to lock in the pavers.
Posted on 5/29/23 at 9:10 pm to AUstar
Never done it myself, but can’t you level them after laying (to some degree) by adding sand and vibrating? Swear I’ve seen that somewhere.
Posted on 5/29/23 at 10:30 pm to AUstar
You need to start with a minus gravel base, then use a vibratory tamper (rented). Then screeded sand (leveled). Now your ready for your leveled pavers. Sweep in sand for the cracks & it will last a long time.
I've done slightly wet tamped sand only as a base, and it just moves too much. Just like paint, prep work is the majority of the job for a quality finished result.
My $0.02.
I've done slightly wet tamped sand only as a base, and it just moves too much. Just like paint, prep work is the majority of the job for a quality finished result.
My $0.02.
Posted on 5/30/23 at 7:05 am to AUstar
It’s hard work for sure. Crushed concrete is the same as gravel but cheaper. 2 inches or more of crushed concrete, inch of sand, tamper, and lay pavers on top. It’s not easy and yes it’s extremely hard work.
Posted on 5/30/23 at 8:39 am to baldona
My son worked at a landscaper and helped alot when I redid a small patio. It was a pita but we used screenings as the base, hand tamped then reset pavers. After that used polymeric sand for gaps etc. That was 5 yrs ago and had to redo the sand this yr. The sand seals the gaps and keeps weeds out
Posted on 5/30/23 at 9:05 am to AUstar
I've thrown down pavers, I've set them in sand and I've also done it "the right way." Most recently, I dug out a bunch of soil, laid 4-5" of compacted 610 limestone + 1-2" of compacted mason sand. The gravel + sand came out great and has had no issues. Every other attempt has resulted in a crappy finished product.
Posted on 5/30/23 at 10:24 am to AUstar
quote:
I am using a level to screed the sand, but even when I feel it's level the pavers still move. I am using about 1" sand with the Brock synthetic paver base on top, and the pavers on top of that. Pavers are 16x16.
Did you use crushed gravel? I did a patio about 6 months ago using synthetic paver base. Tried using just sand but could never get it level. Had to scrap that plan and put down crushed gravel, tamp it, then put down sand. Also, I rented a plate compactor. 100% recommend. Hand tamping is for the birds and felt like I could never get it quite even.
Posted on 5/30/23 at 11:36 am to Not Cooper
quote:
Did you use crushed gravel?
Nope. I just followed the instructions printed on the Brock paverbase.
1) Dig to depth you need
2) Level and tamp the soil base firmly
3) Add the anti-weed fabric
4) Add 1/2" sand, screed and level
5) Put synthetic paver panels on top of sand
6) Add pavers
The sand could be the problem. I am not experienced enough to get the sand right. Maybe gravel would be better.
This post was edited on 5/30/23 at 11:37 am
Posted on 5/30/23 at 1:23 pm to AUstar
4” of crushed concrete is best.
Ideal situation, dig out the depth of the paver plus 4” for crushed concrete, and 1/2-1” of leveling sand. Lay fabric and install crushed concrete. Compact crushed concrete. This doesn’t need to be perfectly level but somewhat. Use the sand as a leveling course. Compact that sand. Level and install paver.
For the steps you mentioned, you also need to compact the sand you are adding. Homeowners put down pavers all the time without crushed concrete. It likely won’t last as long or hold up to heavy traffic but it will work. Compact both layers the best you can.
Ideal situation, dig out the depth of the paver plus 4” for crushed concrete, and 1/2-1” of leveling sand. Lay fabric and install crushed concrete. Compact crushed concrete. This doesn’t need to be perfectly level but somewhat. Use the sand as a leveling course. Compact that sand. Level and install paver.
For the steps you mentioned, you also need to compact the sand you are adding. Homeowners put down pavers all the time without crushed concrete. It likely won’t last as long or hold up to heavy traffic but it will work. Compact both layers the best you can.
Posted on 5/30/23 at 7:41 pm to AUstar
quote:
just followed the instructions printed on the Brock paverbase.
I tried that for a whole weekend before I gave up and went to a crushed gravel base then added sand on top. I would get the sand compacted then leveled and started laying pavers and the bases would just continue shifting. I couldn’t make it work with just sand. Just my experience
Posted on 5/30/23 at 9:20 pm to AUstar
I have done very small areas next to patios or whatnot so I could put something there. YouTube videos help. I still don’t think I could ever get it level like those guys do. It looks easy until you actually try to do it with a shovel and it’s impossible. Haha
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