Installation driveway pavers

Pre-ordering materials and staging the jobsite will also help ensure that your project will move along smoothly. There are 5 common base types that are used in the installation of driveways, patios and walkways, each with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Although the Traditional Gravel Base method has been used for decades, Permeable Base has gained in popularity and is becoming more of the standard because of ease of use, and performance.

Method 3 is a unique hybrid of the first two. These last two methods are less popular and therefore are not specifically covered in this How-to Guide. Specialty installation as specified by hardscape professional or engineer. Typically used in climates with minimal freeze thaw concerns. Do Not use for driveways. In order to determine how deep you need to excavate, you need to assess the subsoil type. Refer to our YouTube video on this subject to learn how to do this. Knowing the site soil type and drainage properties will help determine excavation and base depth.

The use of Unilock DriveGrid can significantly reduce the depth of excavation and thickness of base material required, while adding stability to the driveway to prevent settling and rutting.

Compact this gravel base and any surrounding soil that was loosened as a result of excavation using a compactor. When pouring the curbing, ensure that the curb is perpendicular to the main structure and that it is precisely straight.

However, the material will change based on Base Material Type. These materials do not drain well due to a high concentration of fines which, when they become wet, will cause ruts to appear in the driveway.

Nearly every job with concrete pavers requires some cutting. Pavers are typically cut along the edge of the pavement, around planters or drainage inlets or when there is a change of pattern. OSHA requires that masonry products must be cut with a saw that is capable of cutting dust-free. This could be a wet saw or a saw with dust mitigation system. Always wear proper PPE for hands, eyes, face and lungs. For borders and insets where the pavers are thinner than the main field pavers, the process is the same except this time you are adding bedding material instead of removing it.

Step 3: Remove the border or inset pavers and add more bedding material. Use the the wooden guide to scrape away any excess to reach the desired height.

All edges of a paver driveway must be restrained. Concrete street curbing and garage floors are generally already in place and serve as a restraint for some of the edges. Poured in place curbing for the sides of the driveway are a good option for irregular or curved driveways but can be difficult to precisely position for straight driveways. Most contractors prefer using invisible edge restraints because they deliver a clean visual appearance and are practical for lawn maintenance. Concrete curbs are stronger than other types of edge restraints but they are expensive and difficult to position precisely perpendicular the garage floor.

Plastic edging is popular because it is fast and practical. A reinforced concrete edge can be troweled along the edge of the perimeter. This works well for almost all paver applications, straight or curved. This will prevent proper leveling, and could result in scuffing and scratching.

The surface must be free of all debris and sand prior to compacting. Check entire area for color blending. Move any pavers around to improve the blend. All edge restraints must be in place before compacting. Compact in three directions for a minimum of three passes total.

IMPORTANT: To prevent scuffing or scratching of the paver surface use a rubber roller compactor, or a vibratory plate compactor with a polyurethane pad connected to the bottom. Before installing jointing sand, the entire project should be visually inspected to ensure any damaged pavers are replaced. This is also the final opportunity to ensure that color has been properly blended throughout the project.

Pavers can be removed and rearranged using various mechanical and pneumatic lifting tools. Either way, regular maintenance is a must: Plan on sweeping or vacuuming the joints at least once a year to prevent them from becoming clogged with leaves and debris and acting just like your old driveway. Shown: This driveway can absorb at least 10 inches of rain per hour, about twice the intensity of the heaviest year downpour in the U.

First, call for an underground utilities check. Next, do a percolation test to see how fast the soil absorbs water. Contact your local Cooperative Extension office for details. Remove the existing pavement, and dig to a minimum depth of 15 inches, unless the perc rate is less than 0. In that case, you may need a deeper base or drainage pipe. River gravel, with its rounded profile, is unacceptable.

Go over it twice with a plate compactor, across and lengthwise. Install a concrete or hard-plastic edging to keep the pavers from shifting. There are many decisions to be made, but what makes it so much easier is the abundance of choices available when installing driveway pavers, to help you create an appealing driveway. When deciding on the width of the driveway, be sure to allow a minimum of twelve feet wide at the vehicle parking areas so that it will be a sufficient space to move around the vehicles exterior and avoid stepping on any lawn nearby.

As for the length of the driveway, it should be at least 18 feet in length per vehicle. Installing Driveway Pavers. Home Installing Driveway Pavers. Follow Us. Basic Information about the Installation of Driveway Pavers Driveway Grading The main purpose of grading or sloping the driveway is to direct rain water away from the house or building structure toward the yard area or into a drainage pit.

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Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Homewyse strongly recommends that you contact reputable professionals for accurate assessments of work required and costs for your project - before making any decisions or commitments. This infographic highlights decisions and site issues that can cause large cost variances in the typical Driveway Paver Installation budget.

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Sand base. Quantity includes typical waste overage, material for repair and local delivery. Layout, mark and excavate area to be paved. Add 6" base gravel, edge border, and 1" bedding sand.