Block Paving Your Patio

Construction of the Bedding Course

This work should never be undertaken in wet weather. Bedding sand is spread over the area in a loose non-compacted layer, slightly in excess of the finished depth. (1) A vibrating plate compactor is used to compress this layer which is then screeded using screeding rails (2), to the required level. The area of bedding course to be maintained in advance of the placement of pavers, is normally up to 40 metres square. Please remember only prepare the bedding course area which you will lay in one day. Protection of an unlaid area is essential, when left overnight or before the onset of inclement weather. The bedding sand is now ready to start laying the pavers. Once prepared, the compacted bedding course should not be disturbed.

 

Laying the Pavers

Prior to laying, pavers should be mixed from at least three packs. The pavers are laid by hand on the prepared bedding course (3). There are many bonding patterns but the strongest is the herringbone (see ’ÄúLaying Patterns’Äù, below). It is often useful to undertake a small trial area to determine the most economic use of pavers and to minimise cutting. There are two types of herringbone bond, 90 degree and 45 degree. Always start placing the pavers from an established straight edge such as a restraint. The string line is placed at 90 degree to the straight edge. Pavers are placed by hand to the pre-determined pattern. The following points must be remembered when laying:- i)stack unused pavers approximately 1 metre back from the advancing face. ii)Check pattern regularly with string lines. iii)Do not impose undue loads to pavers at this stage. iv)Do not stand too close to "edge" of paver line. Set pavers about 10mm proud of edge restraints which on compaction will leave approximately a 5mm chamfer proud of the surface.

 

Cutting Pavers

Pavers to be cut should be handled carefully and cut using a specialist cropper (4) which can be hired, or a diamond saw. Care should be taken to wear recommended protective equipment. Critical Points to Remember The end result is only as good as the sub-base, so only use M.O.T. Type 1. Sub-base levels must be formed to required final profile. Use restraints. Use Zone 2 concreting sand for bedding course. Compact to correct levels. Construct trial area. Start from straight edge. Always use and frequently check string lines. Place pavers maintaining 2-5% joint. Use kiln dried paver sand for joints. Take care when cutting. Do not over load until compaction of interlocking sand has been completed.   

 

Joint Filling and Compaction

Always use special kiln dried paver sand to finish off the job. The sand is spread over the surface and then brushed into the joints. Surplus sand is removed and the vibrating plate compactor (with rubber mat installed) is then passed over the pavers two or three times (5). If an unfinished area is being compacted, the compactor must only go to within one metre of all unrestrained edges. The pavers are normally compacted to the required level after two or three passes. After this the whole sequence is repeated until all joints are full. (6) All surplus sand is now removed and the area is ready for use.