How to Create a Patio Using Rock
Creating a patio using rock requires a significant amount of labor, but the rewards can be worth it. The easiest and most efficient way to set rocks is with a combination of crushed stone and sand as your base and filler materials. Once the project is complete, sit back and admire your handiwork and natural beauty of the rock patio, and be satisfied that you potentially saved yourself hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 4 wood posts
- Hammer
- Rope
- Crushed stone
- Flexible edging
- Level
- Metal stakes
- Plate compactor or hand tamper
- Sand
- Rocks
- Broom
Instructions
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1
Measure the area in which you would like to build the patio. Record the length and width on a piece of paper. Hammer the wood posts into the ground at each of the four corners of the area.
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2
Dig an 8-inch hole into the soil. Level out the bottom of the soil with a shovel until it is even.
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3
Dump a 4-inch layer of crushed rock into the bottom of the digging area. Level out the crushed rock with a rake.
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4
Tamp down the crushed rock, using either a plate compactor or hand tamper.
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5
Set a level on a piece of 2-by-4 wood on top of the crushed rock. Ensure the slope is even or just barely sloping away from any buildings.
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6
Place flexible edging around the inner border of the hole you excavated and secure the edging by using a hammer to drive stakes down through the edging and into the ground.
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7
Dump a 4-inch layer of sand on top of the crushed rock and level out the sand.
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8
Place each of the stepping rocks one at a time on top of the bed of sand. Start in one corner and wiggle each rock into place and use a rubber mallet if needed to ensure the rock is tightly packed into the sand. Leave about 3/4 inch between each of the rocks.
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9
Pour filler sand between the spaces between each of the rocks and use a broom to sweep sand off the surface of the rocks and into the cracks.
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10
Wet the filler sand with a hose and allow it to set and dry for 12 hours before using the rock patio.
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References
- Photo Credit cobblestone pavement image by Jale Evsen Duran from Fotolia.com
