Installing Concrete Pavers
- 1). Measure the site and plan the shape and size for your paved area. Lay ropes on the ground to outline the site and add 2 inches on each side for the edging. Call your local utility company to verify your building site will not interfere with underground pipes and wiring.
- 2). Dig out the foundation with a shovel. Remove 8 inches of dirt for a patio or walkway and 12 inches for a driveway. Slope the surface away from your home by digging a 1-inch decline for every 8 feet of length away from the home. Flatten the dirt in the foundation area with a tamper.
- 3). Place a 2-inch layer of 3/4-inch gravel into the excavation and spread it with the shovel. Tamp the gravel to create a firm surface then add another layer and tamp that down. Insert a yardstick into the site and continue building the base and tamping it until it is 6 inches thick for foot traffic and 9 inches thick for vehicles.
- 4). Fit a border of edge restraints against the inner perimeter to hold the concrete pavers in place. Sink lawn spikes, through the edging slots, with a hammer to secure them.
- 5). Spread 1 inch of coarse-grit sand over the rocks and smooth them with a long straight-edge.
- 6). Position the pavers on top of the sand, starting at one end. Lock the beveled sides together if you're using interlocking pavers or fit them flush against the edging and adjacent pavers. Remove or add bedding sand and use a carpenter's level to check that the pavers are even. Place a plank board over each section and walk across it to apply the same pressure to each paver.
- 7). Fill the joints by spreading fine sand over the pavers and into the spaces between the stones. Use a stiff-bristled broom to compact the joints until they are full.
- 8). Roll concrete sealant over the pavement with a roller brush to protect the surface against fading and weather damage.