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What are the Best Tips for Installing Patio Pavers?
Patio paver blocks are carved stone bricks that combine to produce a beautiful floor surface. When installing patio pavers, the area should be carefully measured before purchasing the requisite bricks. Buried wires in the yard need to be accounted for as does the edging when it comes to calculating measurements. A hole must be dug in which landscape fabric, gravel, and sand should be added. The bricks can then be laid before additional sand is brushed into the gaps left between stones.
It is important to decide how large the patio should be. For example, it may only be necessary to create a patio large enough to accommodate tables and chairs or there may be additional items such as a fireplace. Measure the space required while bearing in mind that a rectangular shaped patio is easier to install than a circular one. Once the measurements have been taken, it is possible to create a work plan.
When it comes to installing patio pavers, there are many choices of brick. There are also numerous different shapes and sizes. It is often best to ask an employee of a home improvement store for advice regarding the size and quantity of bricks needed. This is another reason why it is important to measure the area being paved.
Buried wires often lurk in the yard and are dangerous when installing patio pavers. Contact the local utility company and ask them about the whereabouts of wires in the yard. Hitting off one of these wires could prove fatal.
Ensure that the opposite sides of the patio are of the same length. Making sure that all corners are at right angles is also key when installing patio pavers. Remember to include edging in these calculations.
It is necessary to have between 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) of gravel underneath the patio when installing patio pavers. This will improve drainage, stop damage occurring during freezing weather, and stabilize the patio. This means a hole of approximately 8 inches (20 cm) should be dug. When installing patio pavers near a house, always have the patio slope away from the building to aid drainage.
Place some landscaping fabric at the bottom of the hole to prevent weeds from growing. Add gravel and rake it to make sure it is flat. A layer of sand should then be added which should also be raked flat. The edging should then be placed around the patio. This is designed to keep the bricks in place and stop weeds and grass from making their way on to the patio.
The process of installing patio pavers can now begin from the corner of the site. The bricks should be flat with a tiny space left between them. Throw some sand on the patio and sweep it between the gaps left in the bricks. This should help the bricks during the settling period. It may be necessary to aid several layers of sand during the first few days after installation.
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![Moss growing between cobblestones on a patio.]()
By: Alex PetelinMoss growing between cobblestones on a patio. -
![A layer of gravel about 4 to 6 inches in depth should be laid under the patio when installing patio pavers.]()
By: VirynjaA layer of gravel about 4 to 6 inches in depth should be laid under the patio when installing patio pavers.
Discussion Comments
@rundocuri- You can use large, heaving trash bags in place of landscape fabric, because they are just as good at controlling the growth of grass and weeds in my opinion. Simply cut them open before laying them flat on the ground. You should only need a few if you use the largest ones you can find, which will also help you to save money on your project.
Is there something I can use other than landscaping fabric when installing patio pavers? I am trying to save as much money as possible when I do this project.
I have found that larger patio pavers are the best for constructing a patio, even though they are heavier and more awkward to use than smaller pavers. I have had patios made of different sizes of pavers, and I had the best result with patios made of the larger variety.
The benefit that you get from laying patio pavers that are larger and heavier is that they settle into place better than their lighter counterparts. Once they do, they are harder to move and less likely to shift out of place. The weight of them is also beneficial when it comes to weeds and grass growing around them, because they have the tendency to prevent this from happening.
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