How to Build a Paver Patio
When you want to include stone into your landscape, creating a patio out of pavers is an easy way to enhance the entire yard. Whether you want to use an inexpensive stone, such as brick, or incorporate color into the landscape with flagstone, the look of the patio is only limited by your creativity and preferences. When you install a patio, the most important step in the process is the preparation stage. Once you're ready to lay down the pavers, the project only takes a short amount of time to complete. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Graph paper
- Garden hose
- Spray paint
- Shovel
- 2-by-4 post
- Gravel
- Rake
- Compactor
- Sand
- Edging
- Paving stones
- Stone saw
- Push broom
Instructions
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1
Map out the area where you want the patio on a piece of graph paper. When planning the patio site, take into consideration existing plants, water features, such as a pool or pond, and any driveways or walkways around the area.
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2
Place a garden hose or other material around the exact location you want the patio. With a can of spray paint, mark the ground at least 8 inches outside the area to create a guideline for your patio excavation.
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3
Remove the soil from within the marked area. Use a shovel to dig out at least 6 to 8 inches of the dirt to accommodate the paving stones. Remove any plants or grass within the area and transplant them if possible. The depth of the excavation needs to accommodate the thickness of the paving stones or bricks and a layer of gravel.
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4
Grade the soil with a 2-by-4 post away from the house to promote water drainage. Grade the soil in the desired direction so that water runs off into designated areas of the yard. Every 4 feet length of patio should be graded approximately 1 inch to prevent water from pooling on the patio.
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5
Fill the entire excavated site with gravel at least 4 inches deep. Use a rake to distribute the gravel until it's a uniform thickness. Crushed stone, gravel and limestone are all ideal materials to use. Flatten down the gravel with a compactor to create a solid surface for the paving stones.
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6
Spread a thin layer of sand, about 1/4-inch, over the gravel. Use the 2-by-4 post to ensure the grade is still sloping away from the home.
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7
Install plastic or aluminum edging around the perimeter of the excavated area to maintain the shape of the patio.
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8
Place the paving stones in the desired pattern or location over the sand. Position the pavers together as close as possible and trim any stones with a stone saw, if needed, to fit in the desired area.
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9
Spread a thin layer of sand over the entire completed patio to fill the gaps between the stones. Use a push broom to move sand around to fill in the joints then hose down the patio to clean the surface of the stones and moisten the sand which will harden, once it dries, to keep the stones in place.
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References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
