How do I Screed a Patio Before Laying the Blocks?

A properly installed block patio must have a screeded base.

One of the most important steps in a paver-block patio installation is screeding -- leveling the underlying sand layer by pulling a long board across it. Screeding a patio before laying the blocks will help ensure your patio blocks are level, making them less of a tripping hazard. It's also important to slightly slope the patio surface so it drops approximately 1 inch every 4 feet. This will keep standing water from pooling. Screeding a patio is simple and requires only a few inexpensive tools.

Things You'll Need

• Spray paint
• Shovel
• Plate compactor
• Gravel
• 1-inch pipes
• Sand
• 2-by-4-inch board
• Trowel

Instructions

1. Mark the outline of the paver patio with spray paint.

2. Excavate the dirt from the marked patio area. Use a shovel to dig down and remove approximately 6 inches of dirt from the area.

3. Compact the soil with a rented plate compactor. This will avoid later movement and shifting of the patio blocks as the soil settles.

4. Spread a 3-inch layer of gravel in the excavated patio area.

5. Place two lengths of 1-inch pipe parallel to each other on top of the gravel. Space the pipes six feet apart.

6. Cover the gravel and pipes with 1 1/2 inches of sand.

7. Screed the sand by placing a 2-by-4-inch board on top of the two 1-inch pipes. Pull the board across the pipes to level the sand. Remove the excess sand from the area. Carefully remove the pipes from the sand. Fill the pipe imprints left behind with sand and a trowel as you lay the paver blocks.

8. Install the paver blocks and landscape edging.

References

• Go Brick: Brick Paver Patio Paths & More