DIY Crash Course on Laying Pavers
- Do I hire a contractor to create my backyard paradise?
- Do I buy the materials, and DIY?
Whatever you end up choosing is fine with us! But want to help you in making that decision. Therefore, we put together a rough guide of the steps involved so you can see the estimation of work necessary for you, if you did want to do it yourself.
Here are some steps:
Step 1: Measure & Purchase
Before buying any materials or laying anything down, make sure you take the time to thoroughly site up the space, measuring all sides, and writing them down. Then, do some simple math to calculate the total surface area you have in square feet. Pro tip: buy 15% more pavers and material than you think you'll need, as sometimes pavers break or calculations are off, and by doing this you can save yourself an extra trip to the store.Step 2: Clear, Dig, Base
You measured the space and have bought the materials. But don't start laying things down yet. One of the reasons Roman paved roads lasted so long is because of the solid foundations beneath the pavers. Take time to clear out all plants & grass and dig 4-6 inches into the ground. Then level this out so it is perfectly level. Next, you want to compact it down with a compactor. Next, lay down your gravel layer, and then the sand layer.Step 3: Lay pavers
Finally, after all that hard work it's time for the fun part! But before you begin, double check to make sure your area is level. Start laying the pavers from the center of your space outward. When you get to the edges you will probably need to cut some pavers in half with a masonry saw to make the right sized shape to fit within your space's boundary.Step 4: Wrapping it up
You now need to fill in all the cracks with a fine sand. Determine the amount you need, and take the bags of sand, dump them in the center of your space, and with a broom, sweep outwards. This will allow the particles to slip into the cracks. After this, you'll need to get a plate compactor and compact the pavers down to make sure they are snuggly in place.We didn’t go into full detail, and there is more to know, but this should give you an idea of the effort involved. And as far as cost of materials and how much you should use, just hop on over to Lowes, Home Depot, or wherever you go, and the boys there can help you determine what is best.
And of course, if you can’t be bothered and it is all too much, we’d love to help you out and do your project for you, so you can have time for other things!
Just call us at: (800) 495-0148