DIY Paver Driveway
The paver driveway provides a more colorful alternative to asphalt and gravel driveways. Pavers used to build driveways come in a variety of colors, made from a variety of materials. Natural stone pavers may be made of limestone, granite, sandstone or flagstone; others pavers are made of concrete, brick or rubber. Additionally, you may purchase pavers in natural colors, pre-stained with color or you may choose to stain the pavers yourself to match the exterior colors of your home. After making the difficult decision of what type of pavers to use, the installation can begin. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Yard stakes
- String
- Tape measure
- Spade or backhoe
- Mechanical tamper
- Processed gravel
- Edging pavers
- Bedding sand
- Rubber mallet
- Level
- Broom
Instructions
-
-
1
Stake off an area for your driveway, using the yard stakes and string. Add an extra foot to the width of the driveway, on each side. This helps you to create a sturdier base for the driveway.
-
2
Excavate the driveway site with a spade or backhoe. Dig down to a depth of approximately 10 inches. Because you may install the driveway on a slope, follow the grade of the surrounding ground instead of attempting to dig a level area for the driveway.
-
-
3
Compact the soil in the excavated area using a mechanical tamper. Roll the tamper over the soil repeatedly until the soil ceases to compact under foot traffic.
-
4
Fill the driveway site with a layer of gravel measuring approximately 7 inches deep. Apply only 2 to 3 inches at a time and compact each small layer until you have a total 7 inches of gravel in the area. Compact the gravel with the mechanical tamper, running the tamper over the area repeatedly until the gravel ceases to compact under foot traffic.
-
5
Cover 1 foot on each side of the driveway with soil and sod. This extra foot of gravel material underneath the sod serves to prevent the driveway from sinking and spreading in the near future.
-
6
Place edging pavers against the replaced soil and sod. Choose edging pavers approximately 4 inches thick and place the edging pavers tightly together along the outer edge of the area.
-
7
Fill the space between the edging pavers with an inch layer of bedding sand. Smooth the sand down all over with the back of a garden spade.
-
8
Set the driveway pavers into place over the bedding sand. Start in one corner of the driveway site and begin placing the pavers. Work outward in all directions, tamping the pavers into place with a rubber mallet. Use a level to ensure the driveway slopes as necessary.
-
9
Continue until you complete the installation of all pavers within the driveway space. Pour more bedding sand over the driveway and sweep the excess sand into the cracks between the pavers. Placing sand in the gaps between pavers allows the pavers to better expand and contract under the weight of vehicles.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Slope the driveway pavers outward from the middle to encourage proper drainage in your driveway.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit pavers image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
