How to Set Patio Blocks
Most homeowners can build their own patios from dry-laid patio blocks and save money on the cost of installation you might pay a contractor. Setting the blocks is an easy process compared with preparing the site. You can easily set all necessary patio blocks in a day or less than a week, depending on the size of your patio and the number of people helping you in the process. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Spade
- Level
- Mechanical tamper
- Crushed stone
- Masonry sand
- Rubber mallet
- Broom
Instructions
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1
Prepare the patio site by excavating the area down to a 4-inch depth. Remove more soil as necessary to create a perfectly level site. Once leveled, compact the soil in the site by passing a mechanical tamper over the area until the soil no longer shifts.
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2
Apply a 2-inch layer of crushed stone to the area. Compact this stone layer using the mechanical tamper. Once you compact the stone layer, level the layer as necessary to maintain the 2-inch thickness all over.
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3
Fill the remaining 2 inches of the patio site with masonry sand. Level the sand over the entire site and compact the sand layer with the tamper. Apply more sand to fill in low spots and create a level surface after compaction.
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4
Set the first patio blocks into place in one corner of the patio site. Set the first block into a corner so that the sides of the block set flush into the corners. Do not leave any room between the outer edges of the excavated site and the first patio block.
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5
Lay the next block into place against the first. Use a rubber mallet to tap the blocks as close together as possible. Continue placing blocks around the first block, working outward in all directions and placing each block as close as possible to all surrounding blocks.
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6
Level the patio blocks once you finish installing all blocks necessary for the patio. Lay the level across each individual block. Tap the blocks with the rubber mallet until each block sets perfectly level inside the patio.
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7
Apply a small loaf of masonry sand over the set patio blocks. Use a broom to sweep the sand across the surface and fill the tiny cracks between the blocks. Collect any leftover sand to use for another project or to fill the cracks again in the future.
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