How to Prep for Laying Patio Blocks

A successful patio begins with proper preparation of the ground beneath the blocks.

Laying a patio from blocks is not a difficult task, but proper preparation is necessary for successful results. The patio area must be marked, dug down to a certain depth, partially filled with gravel, packed down and completed with a smooth bed of sand. The more effort you put into properly preparing the area, the less work it will require when laying the patio blocks. Basic tools and an afternoon are all that is required to prepare a patio area for laying blocks.

Things You'll Need

• Stakes
• Hammer
• Twine
• Shovel
• Bow rake
• Plate compactor
• Gravel
• Sand
• Board, 2-by-4-inch, 96 inches long

Instructions

1. Select a location for the patio. Drive stakes into the corners. Tie one end of twine to a stake. Pull it around the four corner stakes and tie it off. The twine acts as a guideline when you dig out the area.

2. Dig out the marked off area to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. This will be the base for the patio block foundation.

3. Smooth out the surface of the dug out area with a bow rake. Compact the soil with a plate compactor.

4. Fill the dug out area with a 4-to-6 inch layer of gravel. Rake the gravel smooth with a bow rake. Compact the gravel with a place compactor.

5. Dump sand over the gravel to fill in the rest of the dug out area, leaving 2 inches at the top to accommodate the patio blocks.

6. Rake over the sand to even it out across the patio foundation. Drag the 2-by-4 board across the surface of the sand lightly, with the assistance of a helper, to smooth out the sand. Place the 2-by-96-inch side flat on the surface of the sand, hold it evenly, then pull it across.

Tips & Warnings

• Locate your patio in a partially shady spot in your yard.

References

• The Home Depot Garden Club: Installing Pavers in Sand
• This Old House: Lay an Appealing Brick Patio

Resources

• Lowes Creative Ideas: How to Install Paver Patio