DIY Outdoor Paver Walkways
Pavers can make a beautiful and sturdy walkway from any home. Designing and installing a paver walkway is not terribly difficult but it does take a large amount of hard work. While there are only a few steps to install walkway pavers, each step is time consuming and should be done carefully to ensure the walkway will look as you wish and not shift when in use. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- String and stakes
- Shovel
- Dirt hoe
- Pavers
- Gravel
- PVC pipes
- 2-by-4-inch board
- Sand
- Measuring tape
- Plate compactor or hand tamper
- Push broom
- Wet saw
- Retainer edge
- Sealant
- Brush
Instructions
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1
Put stakes into the ground along both sides of the outline of where the walkway will go. Run string to each stake to create a visible barrier. Clear the area between the strings pavers using a shovel and dirt hoe. Remove about 8 inches of grass and topsoil to create a base. Measure the area with a tape measure to determine how many pavers you will need.
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2
Spread approximately 4 inches of gravel along the scored area between the string outline. Tamp down the gravel firmly with a hand tamper or plate compactor. It is important to create a solid base to prevent the walkway pavers from shifting.
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3
Place two 3/4-inch PVC pipes under the string outline. Spread about 2 inches of sand evenly over the tamped gravel, then drag a 2-by-4-inch board over the PVC pipes to even the sand. Tamp down the sand with a hand tamper or plate compactor. The sand should also be tamped firmly to keep the pavers from moving.
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4
Lay the walkway pavers according to your design. Begin at the edge of the house, porch, or stairs and work your way to the driveway. Cut pavers as necessary with a wet saw to create curves. Install a retainer edge against the pavers to keep them in place.
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5
Spread sand over the installed pavers and fill-in joints between pavers by using a push broom. Mist the walkway with a garden hose to help settle the sand into the joints. Repeat this step as needed until you completely fill the gaps. Run a plate compactor over the pavers from the outside perimeter to the middle.
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6
Apply a coat of sealant to the pavers with a brush according to the manufacturer's directions. Allow the sealant to dry and cure into the pavers before using the walkway.
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