How to Lay Paver Blocks

Patios are a great place to have a nice meal.

Patios can add beauty to the landscape of any home. They are most often installed along the backs of houses. They are an alternative to installing a deck. Patios are a great place to have a cookout and just relax on nice summer days. There are many different styles of pavers you can use for a patio, but all will follow the same installation procedure. Installing a new patio on your home can make that old backyard look almost brand new.

Things You'll Need

• Stakes
• Hammer
• Rope
• Shovel
• Plate compactor
• PVC pipe
• Sand
• 2-by-4 lumber
• Hose
• Level
• Rubber mallet
• Chisel
• Plastic retaining edge
• Spikes
• Stiff broom

Instructions

1. Mark each corner of the patio location with stakes.

   Hammer the stakes into the ground at each corner. Tie the rope around each stake to block in the patio area. Dig up the grass and sod with a shovel to a depth of 4-inches or the proper depth based on the code in your area.

2. Smooth out the base with a plate compactor. Push the compactor back and forth over the base just like cutting grass. Add 1-inch PVC pipe spaced out every four feet across the compacted base. The PVC pipe keeps the sand consistent for every four foot section and also acts as a guide to help level out the sand. Pour in enough sand to cover the pipes. Spread the sand out over the entire base.

3. Slide a 2-by-4 across the pipes and level out the sand. Remove all of the pipes from the base. Mist the sand with water very lightly. Lay the first pavers, beginning at the border. Install the first row. Add a few more pavers for the second row. Set a level on the pavers and verify they are square and plumb. Add sand underneath if they are too low or hammer them down with a rubber mallet if they are too tall.

4. Move down the rows until all of the pavers are installed.

   Cut the pavers to size, if necessary with a hammer and chisel. Place the chisel at the desired mark and hammer down on it until the paver breaks in two. Set all of the pavers in place by hand.

5. Install a plastic retaining edge around the pavers.

   Lay out the retaining edge around the entire perimeter of the pavers. Hammer the edge in place with spikes. Run a plate compactor just like earlier over the blocks. Pour sand over the entire patio and work the sand into the joints with a stiff broom. Mist the patio with a garden hose.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear proper safety gear when cutting pavers.

References

• Lowe's: Lay the Foundation for a Patio or Walkway
• Lowe's: Install a Paver Patio
• Professional Deck Builder Online: Paving a Deck With Stone