How to Lay Interlocking Pavers on Concrete Patios

Are you sick of your concrete patio? Want a new look, but don't want to go through the work and expense of removing an old patio? Depending on the condition of your current patio, you don't have to. This worked for us even though we were told that we wouldn't be successful.

Things You'll Need

• Pavers
• Landscape Glue
• Paver Sand
• Polymeric Sand
• Wet Saw
• A Plan
• Level
• Broom

Instructions

1. 

   Inspect the patio for any major damage. If you have cracks that have risen up more than 1 inch or so, removing the patio is recommended. If the cracks have separated, fill them in with crushed rock then paver sand.

2. 

   Sweep and clean the patio. Remove any debris.

3. 

   Starting at an edge, use landscaping glue on the paver and set it on the concrete. This needs to be done quickly because landscape glue sets fast. This border is not only for looks, it is functional. This keeps the sand from washing away. As you are moving along with your pavers every edge paver needs to be set with landscape glue.

4. 

   The pavers can be laid directly on top of the concrete as long as the concrete is in good level condition. This step goes against what anyone will tell you, but it worked for us and we have had our pavers for almost 5 years through harsh winters and hot summers.

5. 

   As you lay your pavers, some may need to be cut because they won't be an exact fit. Use a wet saw to cut. A wet saw can be rented from many local hardware stores or even where the pavers are purchased. If you are afraid to use this type of saw, you can mark the paver for cutting and have it cut at about $1 to $2 per block.

6. 

   As you go along you may need to build up an expansion joint or a cracked area, use a Step 2 type paver sand to create an incline or decline. These cannot be steep. They need to be gradual. Use a level as you go.

7. 

   After all the pavers are in place and the edging pavers glued with landscape glue, you have 2 choices of sand. First choice: regular paver finishing sand. Dump the sand on top of the pavers and sweep. Sweep again and again until you have filled in all of the cracks between blocks. I prefer this method because if you have a damaged block later, removal and replacement is much easier. The second choice is polymeric sand. Polymeric sand sets to a mortar-like consistency after you wet it. Either type of sand: Takes a few days of sweeping and settling before complete.

Tips & Warnings

• Time consuming and labor intensive, but not impossible

• If you have a design in mind, put on graph paper in a 1 inch to 1 foot scale and follow.

• If you are not experienced with a saw, I suggest having the blocks cut.