DIY Patio Paver
- 1). Make a layout of your future patio on the ground, using wooden sticks to mark the corners and a string to mark the edges. This layout will serve as your visual and practical guidance and will help you with the paving.
- 2). Excavate the outlined area carefully following the string as a perimeter of the patio using a square shovel. Carefully plan the right depth of the excavation. You have to consider all the layers and the thickness of the final paving. You will need about a 2-inch thick layer of sand and about 1-inch thick layer of gravel under the pavers. Then check the thickness of the paver itself. Note that the landscape fabric has almost no real thickness at all and should not be considered as a height factor. Patios need to be slightly higher than the rest of the ground, but the final height will depend on your preference and landscape design. Level the patio area to be paved.
- 3). Cover the patio area with a commercial landscape fabric. This fabric will protect the patio from weeds that can grow between the tiles or stones. Landscape fabric also makes the area more even and flat, preventing the paving from sinking into the ground. Set the landscape fabric onto the ground in rolls and secure it in its place with landscape spikes.
- 4). Cover the landscaping fabric with fine gravel, making sure that the area is level once again by using a rake tool. Usually 1 to 2 inches of gravel is enough for this layer and making a firm foundation. Use a power tamper to smooth and firm the surface.
- 5). Spread a 2-inch layer of paver sand over the gravel to achieve a homogeneous and horizontal surface for the paving. After spreading the sand, use a long two-by-four to level the sand.
- 6). Add the edges for the paving all along the perimeter. Use wooden boards, like two-by-fours, and secure them in place with stakes on the outer side of the soon-to-be paved area.
- 7). Place the pavers on the sand surface starting from the edges, like you are framing the area. Use a rubber hammer to tap down the pavers into the sand and secure them in their place. If there are pavers that need to be cut to fit in, use a wet saw or a chisel and hammer to split them. Repeat until you pave the whole patio area.
- 8). Fill the gaps between the pavers with fine quality sand. First, pour the sand onto the surface and then distribute it to the gaps with a stiff broom. Brush away any excess sand with the same broom, ensuring the space between the pavers is filled.
- 9). Soak the finished patio with a hose to wet it completely and let the send settle it. Allow the patio to dry for 24 hours until the next step.
- 10
Apply a coat of sealer onto the whole patio surface to prevent stains and to reduce porousness. Use a thick brush and thoroughly cover the entire patio.
