How to Install Patio Pavers

PREPARE THE PATIO AREA

• Prepare the patio area – Install Patio Pavers
• Mark the perimeter of the patio area with marking paint.
• Drive wooden stakes into the ground just outside of the perimeter markings and attach mason line.
• When determining the height of your patio, work from the house outward since you will want the pavers to slope away from the house to aid with water drainage.
• Mark the height on the stakes and adjust the mason line. Remember to slope the area away from your home with a drop-off of about 1 inch every 8 feet.

CLEAR GRASS AND SOIL

• Clear grass and soil – Install Patio Pavers
• When digging, remember that you will be adding 4 inches of paver base and about 1 inch of paver sand before adding the paver stones.
• Use a spade and shovel to clear grass and soil from the work area.
• Check your depth against the mason line with a measuring tape to make sure you maintain both the proper depth and slope.

ADD PAVER BASE

• Add paver base – Install Patio Pavers
  Tip: Renting a plate compactor will save you time when working with larger areas.
• Spread the paver base to a depth of 4 inches throughout the work area.
• Use a rake to help spread the paver base.
• Compact the area until you have a firm base.
• Lightly wet the paver base to make it more solid.

ADD AND LEVEL PAVER SAND

• Add level paver sand – Install Patio Pavers
  Tip: Stay aware of the work area when leveling, as stepping into an already level area will require you to rework that spot. Make sure not to work yourself into a corner.
• Place the electrical conduit on top of the base. The conduit will form “tracks” to help guide you when leveling off the paver sand.
• Pour the sand across and between the conduits, then drag the 2 x 4 across the conduit to level the sand layer.
• Lift the conduit out and fill the voids with more paver sand. Level these voids before moving on.
• Continue this process until the entire patio area is covered with level paver sand.

PLACE THE PAVER STONES

• Place paver stones – Install Patio Pavers
• Starting at a patio corner, lay out the paver stones one by one. Work in an outward manner – like starting at the tip of a triangle and working outward.
• When setting the stones, place them straight down into the sand and keep them fitted snuggly together. Make sure you are not dragging the pavers across the sand, and never stomp a paver into place.
• Continue until all pavers have been placed.

CUT PAVERS, IF NECESSARY

• Cut pavers, if necessary – Install Patio Pavers
• If you need to cut pavers to fit your design, place the paver over the void in your pattern and use a straight edge and marker to trace the cut line onto the paver.
• A masonry saw is the quickest way to get a clean cut. Remember to wear gloves and eye protection when using the saw.

ADD EDGING STONES

• Add edging stones – Install Patio Pavers
• Place and secure edging stones along all exposed patio edges using landscape nails.

FINISH YOUR PATIO

• Finish your patio – Install Patio Pavers
• Spread a light layer of paver sand over the entire area.
• Use a push broom to sweep the sand into the gaps between the stones and run the plate compactor across the patio surface.
• Add another thin layer of sand, and use the push broom to spread it across the patio.
• Run the plate compactor over the area one last time.