How to Lay Terracotta Pavers
Terracotta pavers are a stylish, fashionable and durable choice for laying paving on your drive, patio or anywhere else. They look great, they come in a wide variety of shades and they can be laid in any pattern you desire. In addition, a well laid set of terracotta pavers will last you for many years without the need for constant gardening, so you save time as well. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Remove any plants, rocks and other debris from the area where the pavers are to be laid. Level out the area using a spade to move or dig out dirt as necessary. Rake the area flat, which will also uncover any hidden roots that may need to be removed using a spade or trowel.
-
2
Prepare a mixture of half sand and half fine gravel by mixing with a spade. Pour the mixture onto the area where the pavers are to be laid. The sand and gravel should be laid to a thickness of 2 inches to provide an adequate bedding for the pavers. Rake the mixture so it is level.
-
-
3
Mix a small batch of mortar made from a little water, one part cement and four parts sand, using the spade. Apply the mortar to the underside of an edging paver and press it into the bedding layer. Mortar and lay the second piece of edging. Continue until you have edged one side of the area. Lay a second row of edging in the same fashion, so you have two edged sides at right angles to one another.
-
4
Place two rows of pavers to get an idea of the right position for each stone. The pavers should fit in place flush with the edging. Mix another small batch of mortar. Coat the underside of the first paver with mortar and press it down into the bedding layer. Take up the next paver and mortar it, then press it firmly into place. Repeat with the other pavers until you have paved the entire area.
-
5
Brush a layer of sand over the pavers so the joints between pavers are all filled with sand. Tamp down the pavers by tapping over them with a length of wood to ensure they are all firmly in place, then brush sand across the pavers again to fill in any gaps missed the first time.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
To keep weeds from growing through the gaps between the pavers, lay a plastic sheet below the gravel and sand bedding. This will keep plants and weeds from growing in the area where the pavers are laid, which will save you a lot of weeding time in the future.
Mortar sets quickly, so it is important that you do not make too much of it in one go; otherwise you will waste materials. Always mix up a small amount of mortar at any one time, as you can always make up more when you run out.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
