Installation Guide

DIY Paver Patio and Walkway Installation
1. Stake Out Project and Excavate. Lay out project by marking
area with tape measure, string line and stakes. With a shovel,
excavate the area 6 inches larger on all sides than the nished
project size (Fig. 1). For patios and walkways excavate 7 or 9
inches deep: 7 inches for well-draining soil conditions and 9
inches for poorly-draining soil conditions.
2.
Create Leveling Pad. Base material can be paver base or an
equivalent to
3
/
4
-inch minus (with nes) aggregate. Add a 2-inch
layer of base material in the bottom of the excavated area; rake
out and thoroughly compact with a plate compactor (Fig. 2).
Repeat as needed. To achieve the desired nished patio height,
nished compacted base should leave enough room above for
paver height and leveling sand. The nal grade should slope
away from the house or structure, dropping
1
/
4
-inch per foot,
for drainage.
3.
Screed Sand. Temporarily lay two 1-inch-diameter pipes parallel
on base, several feet apart. Spread 1 inch of paver sand over
compacted base between pipes. Level sand by pulling a
straight 2x4 across the pipes several times until sand is smooth
(Fig. 3). Remove pipes and ll voids with sand, using a trowel to
level sand. Repeat until project area is covered with sand.
4.
Install. Start at a 90-degree corner (nearest house or structure,
if applicable). Along one side (moving away from house at
a 90-degree angle), place edge restraint on top of the base
material, removing sand if necessary. Fasten with spikes
according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lay a border
course along edge. Continue laying pavers in the desired
installation pattern (Fig. 4).
If the desired installation pattern requires cutting, cut the pavers
with a circular saw or tub saw using a diamond blade designed
for cutting concrete pavers.
Always wear eye protection when sawing blocks.
Read and understand the operating manual before using a saw.
5.
Install Edge Restraint. Place edge restraint around entire project
on top of base (Fig. 5). Use trowel to remove sand from edge
of pavers. Push edge restraint up tight to the pavers and install
according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
6.
Compact. Compact the pavers with a plate compactor (Fig. 6).
Starting from the outside, compact the border and continue
until you reach the center of the paver area. Repeat once more
to set the pavers. Once compacted, spread paver sand over
the surface and sweep into joints. Compact again to ensure all
joints are completely full. Sweep any loose sand from surface.
7.
Backfill Around Project. Finish project by backlling and rmly
compacting dirt in the area outside edge restraint.
Snow and Ice Removal: To maintain the best surface integrity, use
plastic blades on snow and raise blades on a snow blower. Do
not use sharp objects to chop ice as they can damage
the surface.
Call 811, Common Ground Alliance, to have utilities marked before starting your project.
Read all instructions prior to installation.
Installation materials and tools needed (reference images on page 2):
 Gloves
 Tape measure
 String line
 Stakes
 Shovel
 Paver base or an equivalent to
3
/
4
-inch minus (with fines)
aggregate
 Plate compactor
 Two 1-inch outside diameter pipes
 2x4 board
 Paver sand
 Trowel
 Edge restraint
 Circular saw or tub saw
 Diamond blade designed for cutting concrete pavers
 Safety glasses
 Carpenter’s level
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6