A paver walkway adds an attractive touch to any landscape. Building walkways is a simple DIY project but it requires time, energy and muscle power. Before you start, you will need to take into account the terrain, the landscape, the function and the costs of laying a walkway. You can design a whimsical long and winding pathway with curves and steps or a short, curvy one to your driveway. It can loop around flower beds and circle round trees to create an interesting focal point for your yard.
Planning & Layout
The first step is to plan the course your walkway will follow. You can create a scaled-down sketch of the area on graph paper and then try out different layout designs using tracing paper. Once you’ve selected the layout, the next step is to mark the outline using spray paint or a hose.
Measure the length and width of the area and multiply the two to get the square footage. Add 5% to 10% to the square footage and you will get the number of pavers you will need. Interlocking pavers and jack-on-jack layouts are the easiest to follow. The next step is to measure the height of the pavers you’ve purchased and start excavating the area.
Preparing the Ground
The excavation depth is the sum of the base’s thickness, sand bedding and the paver’s thickness. The pavers should slope downwards to ensure water drainage, so add one and half-inch depth for every four feet. Mark the outline by drawing some stakes into the ground and tie a string to indicate the height The thickness of the base depends on the sub-base and the weight the paved surface will have to endure.
Laying Pavers
The base is usually crushed rock of varying sizes. Spread one layer of crushed gravel over the area and use a plate compactor to go over the area and press the base layer in. Repeat this process, until the base reaches the requisite height. Ensure that the gravel is sloped and levelled evenly. Install plastic, concrete, metal or wood edge restraints to stop the pavers from moving and separating.
Next, lay one-inch-thick PVC pipes to indicate the required height for the next layer. The second layer is made of sand which is evenly spread across the area using a 2 x 4 wood plane. Remove the pipes and now the ground is ready for laying the pavers.
Lay the pavers close together in the design of your choice. If you need to cut pavers for curved areas, use a diamond saw or a mechanical cutter and wear safety goggles while cutting the pavers.
Final Finish
After the pavers have been laid, use a mechanical plate compactor to press them into the sand bedding to help them set. Fill up the joints by sweeping the area with fine-grain sand to lock the pavers in place. To add the final finishing touches, sweep away debris and seal the area with a sand binding sealant. The sealants protect the pavers from stains, markings, and loss of joint sand.
Ready to get started? If you have any questions, the team at Island Block & Masonry Supply is here to help. Reach out to us today.
