How to Level Paving Stones

Adding paths between areas of your yard enhances its beauty and accessibility. Concrete paving can be neat but expensive and rather drab to look at. Another option is to use paving stones, which can be purchased at a hardware or home improvement store. Paving stones come in many different shapes and thicknesses, and it can be tricky to lay them so that they are a level walking surface.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paving stones
• Paving sand
• Hand trowel
• Level

1. Measure the thickness of the paving stones being used. If using bricks, cinder blocks or similar stones, the thickness is uniform and will simplify leveling.

2. Ensure the surface on which you will lay your stones is the height of the bricks plus approximately a 1/2 inch (to allow for paving sand) below the walking surface of the bricks. This may entail removing dirt so the installed paving stones will be level with the surrounding sidewalk, grass or other walking surface.

3. Remove any rocks that are near the surface. If any rocks are too close to the surface, the paving stone cannot be leveled. Rocks also migrate up when the ground gets wet. This will cause the paving stones to rock when they are stepped on.

4. Spread paving sand in an even amount across the area to be paved. This provides a smooth surface for the stones to aid in leveling. It also helps them fit more snugly together.

5. Place the paving stones in the desired configuration. You may need to make several measurements while completing this process to ensure the stones line up in the manner you intend.

6. Use a level, yardstick or any other straight edge to level stones. Place the straight edge across stones to see if they are level with each other. A level is the most useful tool for ensuring individual stones are level as well as ensuring stones are level with each other.

7. Adjust each stone as necessary. If a stone is higher on one side than the other, it may be necessary to remove dirt from beneath it. This can only be done by trial and error to see how much dirt is too much or not enough. The process may have to be repeated several times.

Tips & Warnings

• If stones are being used side by side to form a sidewalk, avoid getting dirt between the stones. Dirt will prevent the stones from lying as close to each other as possible, allowing cracks. Cracks will become easy targets for weed growth as well as insect infestation and should be avoided.
• Edging may be necessary to help lay your paving stones in a straight line and to keep them that way. This can be done with curbing, timbers or simply the edge of your lawn.
• You can rent a plate compactor that helps pre-level the area to be paved. It can also be used to re-level after the stones have been laid.
• Depending on your yard's composition, you may wish to lay stabilizing gravel before the paving sand. This should not be necessary for small yard projects, however.

Resources

• St. Vrain Block Company sells a variety of paving stones.