Patios are an amazing way to extend your home space in the outdoors. They can take several forms which include wooden platforms (decks), integrated landscapes and designs. Outdoor living is highly craved because of the natural elements which can make a patio appealing. This article will talk about how you can lay patio pavers conveniently.
What to do before starting the laying of the exterior of the paving stones
Here are the steps to follow before laying the exterior of paving stones:
Select and measure the paving area
You will need a tape measure to gauge the area you want to pave. Then you will outline the space using white paint or stakes. Take note of the square footage of your work area, which can help you to calculate the number of pavers you need.
Guage your slope
Pavers should be moderately sloped to prevent water pouring on them. You can use stakes or strings to note the height of the edges of the paving area. This will help map out the direction of the slope.
Evacuate the paving area
Get a spade or shovel which will help dig the soul of the exterior of the paving stones. Also, try to clean the grass around the area and use a ruler to measure how deep or sloppy the exterior is. The exterior of the paving stones should be able to accept at least 6 inches of gravel and 1 inch of sand.
Difference between laying paving stones on a screed and a slab
For those not familiar with the paving of stones, it is hard to distinguish between paving and stones on a screed and slabs. Both materials are made from the same ingredients which are aggregate, cement and water.
However, the size of their aggregates and the cement grades are different. This is because their use is different. Slabs require a more rigorous mixture than screens and use very coarse aggregates.
This is why paving stones on slabs are more durable than on screed. Also, slabs have a very high potential to hit high strengths and are regarded as the most popular material in the world.
Furthermore, screed, however, is smoother and has fewer aggregates when mixed with concrete. Also, screed is used as a finishing layer for most paving slabs. Before covering internal and exterior floors, screed is used with tiles, linoleum resin coatings, and natural stone.
Screeds are needed when you want to design a functional floor than a slab. However, if you want to install surfaces that will undergo regular traffic or be used for commercial purposes, slabs are better.
Screeds are preferred for internal purposes only and are often used to cover heating systems and thermal insulation. However, you can use Polymer-modified screeds for exterior use, as they are water-resistant and can stand rigorous environments.
Equipment you will need for laying patio pavers
Here is some equipment you should have when you want to lay your patio:
- shovel
- hammer tamper
- rake, broom
- pavers
- fine sand
- crushed Rock material
- garden hose,
- wood stakes
- marking paint
- metal pulled
- wooden stakes
Moving large and heavy patio materials can be stressful for you. You will need some safety considerations before laying patio pavers. First, use a wheelbarrow when shoveling. Have it on your mind that base materials are heavy, so use partial shovel loads. Also, wear some breathing protection before you start because of specks of dirt.
Steps involved when laying a patio paver
Here are the steps involved when you want to lay a patio paver.
Create layout
You will need to create an area where you want to lay a paver. This location should have a little slope where water can run off.
You will use a garden house to lay out the area. Refine this place by using wooden stakes to create a design. Get a marking paint to outline about 9 inches around the staked location.
Dig the area
After creating a Location, you will dig out an area. When you find a turf, remove it till you see a soil beneath. Put the bubble level on a one by two to check the slope. Ensure the patio slopes are down by an inch vertically and 45 inches horizontally.
Lay the base area
You can use the wheelbarrow and shovel to move the base material to the patio area. After three to four loads, use the shovel and rake to spread the material. Ensure they are even across the patio area.
Add edge
You will need to add an edge restraint to the helm of the base material. Not all edging can work, you may need to stake your required edging into the ground.
Lay some coarse sand down
You will need to lay about 1 inch of coarse sand (avoid sand) bedding sand. Make sure you maintain the height across all areas. This will help determine the final height of your patio.
Lay the Pavers
You can now lay your patio pavers on the sand base. Don’t walk on the sand, but you can walk gently on your freshly laid patio pavers. Ensure the pavers stay close to each other because wide joints may lead to weeds growing in them.
As you lay your pavers, you can tamp down on them by using a hammer. Get a small scrap piece to 2 by 4 to soften the effect.
Patio pavers are easy to lay when you know what to do and follow the above-mentioned information. Ensure you adorn your protective gear and get the necessary materials.