If you’re thinking about installing a paver patio, there are some things you need to do before you go buy pavers and start laying them. You need to have a plan of action, and that includes having all of the information necessary to prepare a diagram of your new patio. Here’s the information you need to have on hand.
The Size
How large do you want your paver patio to be? You’ll need to go outside and measure to make certain that the size you want actually fits in the space you have and doesn’t cause any issues. You don’t want to have all of the pavers ready only to realize that your patio will run into a tree or require you to remove one of your favorite flowerbeds.
The Location of Any Buried Utility Lines
If you build your paver patio over buried utility lines and something with that utility goes severely wrong, the lines may have to be dug up. That means a part of your paver patio will have to be removed. This is much easier to do and to repair than a cement patio, but it can still be a chore. If you don’t want to ever worry about that, have the utility companies (water, gas, and electric) come and mark where their lines are.
This is a good idea even if you don’t care about tearing up your patio in the event of an emergency. You want to make sure you’re not digging down far enough to hit the buried lines. Most paver patios don’t require you to dig down very far at all—just enough to make the pavers level with your back steps or existing walkways. Still, it’s always best to be safe.
The Slant
Most people assume that all patios are perfectly level, but that’s not always the case. Most have a very slight slant to them so that water runs off away from your home rather than towards it. This is one area where you may want to talk to an expert. Designing a patio with a very slight slant to it can be a little more difficult than you may think.
Need some help finding the right pavers and other materials for your paver patio? The experts at Island Block & Masonry Supply can help. Contact us today to learn more.
