When putting in a patio, how much sand should be put down when using pavers?
Question:I am installing a patio using pavers and I was wondering how far should I dig down and how much sand should I put down?
Answers:
Chris,
Go back to the store and purchase either edging or forms for the pavers you are using. In the absence of either of these you are a doomed man.
Excavate at the levelof the form/edge material. Using the form you excavate to the level that the paver will be at the height you desire. At that point dig an additional two inches for a sand and multi-sized gravel backfill. Make it equal mixture. Tamp that base with either a motor driven tamper or be ready to break your back with a hand tamper.
Place a landscape fabric on the tamped soil. Back fill with the sand and gravel mixture and water it deeply for the first step. Rerake the sand and gravel and make sure the surface is level, using the sand, then install either the form or edge.
Install the pavers and cover with a film of sand. Use a heavy broom to spread the sand in the gaps. Take your time doing this. It may take three or more hours and the addition of sand everytime you make a sweep, however, it will be worth the time and efforts. Water, not spray, water the surface of the pavers again and let it settle for two or more days.
The next available chance you get spread even more sand at minimal amounts over the pavers. This will fill in the settled materials. Don't be afraid to spread some of the sand onto your turf. In the long run this will help in draining out the de-icing compounds you use on the paver.
If the store or company sold you pavers without either a edge or form cancel the order and find a real supplier. That is irresponsible on the salesperson's part. I have done Toll Brother's Development Model Homes for years with Paver walks and Centers. All required either an edge to meet the pattern designed or flex. metal edge to meet the design.
Good Luck.
The company I work for sell Belguard but all installation is basically the same link below will help you out.
depends how's your surface right now... which planting zone you live.. I live in zone 9 and my surface was already sandy so we've used not much just took out the grass on top. I would think a good 2 inches would be good.
It has nothing to do with planting zones and everything to do with drainage and if, and how deep your ground freezes in the winter. If the area that you are going to put the pavers down is well drained, and your winter freezes aren't too severe, you might be able to get away with 3-4 inches of base material, The worse your winters, the deeper the base material should be up to six inches. The base material should consist of a mix of fine and course materials. This mix is called different things in different regions, but you might try asking for 304 or 310 material. Or you can ask the paver supplier for recommendations for your area.
The base material should be leveled and compacted using a vibrating plate compactor. These can be rented anywhere. On top of the base you can place 3/4 to 1 inch of sand. The easiest way to do this is to get a couple of pieces of 3/4 inch PVC pipe to use as screed guides. Lay the pipes down, place the sand over them and screed it off with a straight-edge. Carefully pick the pipes out and fill in the area where they were with sand. You can then place your pavers.
Once the pavers are all in, take more sand and broom it into the joints between the pavers. Running the plate compactor over the finished pavers will help to set th pavers and give you an installation that will last a long time.
Remember, the more work you put into the base , the better the installation will stand up to the elements.
Check out our website for more gardening ideas at-
http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.c...
Good Luck and Happy Gardening from Cathy and Neal!
More Related Questions & Answers...