How to Build a Patio With Pavers

Pavers can provide a solid surface for your patio.

You can improve your backyard by installing a a patio made of pavers. Be prepared for hard work. Readying the land, moving dirt and laying the pavers require a bit of strength and stamina. Allow a few weekends to complete the patio depending on its size.

Things You'll Need

• Paver's sand
• Spade
• Steel tine rake
• 4 wooden stakes
• Mason's cord
• 25-foot measuring tape
• Rubber mallet
• 2-by-4-inch boards -- one 6 feet long and one 1 foot long
• 4-by-4 square post or tamper
• Level
• Broom or brush
• Workmen's gloves

Instructions

1. Design the shape and mark the dimensions of the patio on graph paper. Pound in wooden stakes at the corners of the planned patio. Tie mason's cord between them to outline the shape and size of the patio.

2. Pick up sufficient pavers to complete the job. For example, a patio 15 by 15 feet or 225 square feet requires 225 12-by-12 inch pavers. Order 250 pavers in case you break any and need replacements.

3. Remove sod or higher areas at your site with a spade. Dig down at least four inches so you have enough depth for the sand and the paver.

4. Make the ground as smooth and even as possible with the tine rake. When satisfied, compact the dirt with the tamper or a 4-by-4 post.

5. Dry fit a row of pavers the length and width of your patio to make sure they fit properly in the space you have cleared. Remove them after you confirmed your measurements are accurate.

6. Lay the long 2-by-4 on the ground with the level on top to determine if the patio base slopes correctly. Slope the patio base for drainage away from your house or structure about 1 inch for every 8 feet.

7. Spread the paver's sand over the patio base to a depth of at least 2 inches. This will allow you to make the sand bed even. Too little sand and you may be scraping dirt to make it even. Compact the sand using the tamper or the 4-by-4.

8. Smooth the sand with the short 2-by-4 before placing the paver. Lay the first paver against the house or structure and level it. Smooth the sand again with the 2-by-4. Lay the second paver next to the first and position it with the rubber mallet. Add or remove sand underneath if you need to adjust the height or level of second paver to match the first one. Continue laying pavers next to each other using the adjacent paver as your guide.

9. Check periodically if the pavers slope in the right direction away from the house, using the long 2-by-4 and the level. Continue creating rows away from house until all the pavers are in place.

10. Pour sand over the pavers and sweep the sand between the spaces with the broom. Compact the sand between the spaces with the broom. Periodically add sand to the spaces, as rain tends to wash the sand away.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase paver sand, which contains pill-size stones that help it to compact better and provide a sturdier base for the paver.

• Avoid stepping on a paver if it is not level. It will crack.

• Wear workmen's gloves when handling the pavers, as the rough surface makes your skin rough and raw.

References

• Ron Hazleton's Home Improvement Online: How to Make a Patio from Concrete Pavers
• Stone Craft: How to Build a Patio