The main steps for installing slabs and paving stones like a landscaper expert
Make a plan for your project. It's difficult to start without having drawn out the shape you want on paper! You must first choose where you are going to make your path, your platform, your patio, etc. Then, depending on the surface area, make a scale plan for your project. The general shape must be defined, then the reasons if there are any. The more detailed your plan, the better. Also think about the problem of drainage and runoff. You should always provide a slope so that rainwater drains away from your house. There is generally a slope of around 1 to 2% depending on the surrounding environment.
Once the plan is made, we strongly suggest contacting info-excavation in order to identify potential electrical wires, cabling or even pipes that should be avoided.
Make a plan for your project
Contact info-excavation
Materials choice
Let's move on to materials. It's up to you to choose the paving stones that suit you, they come in all sizes, shapes and colors. Most often, the paving stones are made of brick, cement, natural stone. The choice will depend on your tastes, your project and your finances. You can purchase them from a masonry center as well as hardware stores.
If your slabs have a fairly geometric general shape, it is quite easy to calculate the number of paving stones you will need (number of paving stones = total surface area/surface area of a paving stone). Plan to buy 5-10% more for accidents and cuts! If your slabs have a more eccentric shape, made of curves, allow 10 to 15% more!
Always order more, because there are always cuts to be made. The more elaborate the contours of your paving, the more cuts you will need, and the more pavers you will need!
Remember that pavers are very heavy! This is why it is better to have it delivered... In addition, there will probably be costs for pallets and delivery.
Demarcate the area of the installation
Demarcate the area to be paved. To do this, use a rope or a garden hose. Plant small stakes which will hold the rope and allow you to clearly visualize the angles and curves. Make sure to dig wider and longer than your final project so you can install edging.
Predict and adjust slopes
Already think about adding a slope. When demarcating the paving with the string, plan to add a slope to allow rainwater to drain away from the foundations of your home. Put your rope higher on the opposite side of where you want the water to drain. High points are close to the house or building and low points are as far away as possible.
Plant one or two stakes on the high point and make a mark on it which will indicate the top of the paving stones in the area. This mark must correspond to the height where you want the paving to arrive on your walls. Tie your string securely so that it does not move, so does your slope.
Put a stake on the opposite side, where you think is the lowest point. Pull a string from the highest point to the stake at the lowest point. Level this string. Then, lower the string on the low point stake by 1 to 2% depending on your needs.
If your paving has an irregular shape or has curves, you will need to do the same, perhaps planting intermediate stakes. The more stakes you put, the more certain you will be of putting the correct slope.
You may want to consider hiring someone who knows how to use a level or laser level and measuring rod to get the result quicker.
Excavation
Dig the location of your paving. If your paved area is a busy place for pedestrians, you will need to make a bed of gravel of at least 9 inches. If you are building a vehicle access road, you will need approximately 12 to 16 inches of stabilizer underlayment. From there, you must dig the necessary depth (do not hesitate to ask the person who sells you the paving stones for advice). To summarize, the depth of your surface must take into account the thickness. Measure carefully before you start so as not to remove too much soil as this is an arduous task.
Try to level and level the ground where the pavers will be located at the ends. You can spread the base material a little further than the edges and flatten it with a compactor or hand tool. Then install the border firmly.
The depth of your excavation is measured from the string that has been stretched over the stakes and not from the ground, otherwise you will lose your slope!
Prepare the base layer. It is important to install a quality geo-textile to prevent your gravel from sinking into the ground. As a foundation, we generally use 0''-3/4''. This layer must be compacted effectively. If you don't put the right material in and don't compact adequately, your paving will quickly deform!
Do the layer in several batches. If you have to put 12 inches, first put a 3-inch layer that you will compact with a lady (for small areas) or a professional compactor (for larger areas), then a second identical layer that you will also compact . Compaction is an essential step. Be careful not to make any holes or dents, check with a mason's rule. Also check the height in relation to your level strings, you should not exceed a certain level. Make the necessary adjustments.
Make the foundation
Install the sitting bed. It is the bed, rock dust which allows the paving stones to be positioned and blocked
Spread it into an evenly thick layer of no more than 1 inch. If you have a large area, you will have to divide it into small compartments (10-15 square feet) using small rigid pipes or small wooden rafters. Fill these racks and when the dust is well settled, remove these pipes and plug the holes. Your dust will be well distributed.
You are now ready to install your tiles.
Sitting bed
