Paver Patio Installation:

Site/Paver Planning:  When deciding where to locate your patio think of the following: Access, traffic flow, Sun/Shade, Overhead, utility, future construction, wind rain and snow.  There are many different types of pavers to use: different sizes, shapes, colors, finishing edges (tumbled/smooth), smooth surface, slightly dimpled surface to name a few.  There are even pavers made of recycled tires for load bearing demands on roof tops and decks.  Visit our links page of our website and check out a few of our favorite manufacturers, (Anchor, Belgard and Interlock). 

Excavation:  Dig about 8″ below your planned final grade.  If your patio is going to have a slope away from your house, make sure your excavation mirrors the desired slope, over time the pavers will match the excavation.  Try to incorporate your excess soil from your digging into your site to minimize trucking/hauling, (create a raised planting area for example).  If you have poor soils: extra base depth or re-enforced soil control fabric may be required.     

Base Material:  For basic paver installation in Minnesota, a 4-6″ deep gravel base is sufficient.  Use a well graded gravel rock, ( 3/4″ in diameter down to dust including equal amount of each size), and compact in 2-3″ layers.  A plate compactor is the best method to compact large areas.  If you have a small walkway or tight area, a hand tamp can do the trick as well.  Make sure your gravel rock is not too wet or too dry, slightly moist is ideal.   

Bedding Sand:  Once your gravel base is properly compacted, Set 1″ diameter pipes along your gravel base in the direction of your slope, ( I use 1″ diameter chain link fence top rail pipes).  Cover the pipes and surrounding gravel with 1″ course sand, try not to get sand under the pipes.  Take a long 2×4, set it on the pipes and pull back, the sand will be very smooth with a constant depth once completed which will make setting the pavers very enjoyable. 

Paver Setting:  Before you start setting your pavers make sure to think through the design and layout.  Starting on the wrong side can make for a very tricky installation.  Most patios will have a border/solder course around the exterior all set in the same direction and a pattern inside set on a 90 degree or 45 degree axis in relationship to the border/solder.  Use a setting method called click and drop.  Just before letting go of each and every paver click it parallel to the paver that it will adjoin and perpendicular to the bedding sand, then just slightly drop it straight down.  For the best results make sure the same person or style is used in setting all the pavers, (can create bedding sand creep/rolling pavers).  Depending on your pattern and paver you use, you may need to make cuts to have all the pavers fit correctly.  Use a diamond tipped circular blade, preferably with water circulating on the blade wile cutting, (better cuts and less wear on the blade).     

Edge Restraint:  Once the pavers are set and cut, install the edge.  Make sure to pull the bedding sand away from the pavers and set the edge ON THE GRAVEL BASE, not the sand, (a major installation problem in paver patios).  Setting the edge this way will prevent sand wash out which creates horizontal creep, (opening of the paver joints near the edges of the patio/driveway). 

Compaction:  Once the edge restraint is set, compact the paver without sand on the pavers.  Doing so will force the bedding sand up into the paver joints, (pavers have a small joint/space on all sides to allow them to lock in place) also will reduce the amount of joint sand needed.  Spread dry course sand over the paving surface and sweep into all the joints.  Compact the pavers to allow the sand particles to actually drop into voids/paver joints, while the pavers area vibrated, which is why it is very important to have dry sand.   

Polymeric Sand:  There is a joint sand which has polymers mixed in with the sand particles.  The sand behaves the same as regular sand when applied but, once swept into and blow off the surface you get the sand wet and it hardens.  Polymeric sand aids in water movement, insect control and wind damage, not to mention there are different colors.

Extras:  If you are cutting pavers make sure to wash of the paver after cutting.  There is a build up called efflorescence which is white deposit of calcium on a paver when cut with water, (If you cut dry, still wash off the paver or the next time it rains you will have a problem).  For more information check out ICPI.org (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute).