PROFESSIONAL CONCRETE PAVER BASE INSTALLATION PROCESS
Concrete pavers are a durable, aesthetically beautiful material that, when properly installed, can last a lifetime. When it comes to pavers, the old saying is true. If you want something to last, start with a solid foundation!
Using the proper base materials and approach to installation is the key to a stable paver driveway, patio, or walkway. We’ve all seen installations that are uneven, with heaved stones or cracking. Typically, the fault for these imperfections lies with sloppy or improper base preparations.
Learn More About Concrete Paver Installation
Soil conditions, terrain, and even geological motion (especially here in the Bay area) can all be factors affecting the outcome of your project. However, the information in this post will provide all the information you need to create a beautiful paver installation that will last for decades, whether you’re working with a landscape professional or doing it yourself.
STANDARD STEPS FOR CONCRETE PAVERS BASE INSTALLATION
There are a couple of different processes for preparing the base when installing concrete pavers, depending on whether it is a new installation, or you’re overlaying concrete pavers over an existing concrete slab.
The first process we’re going to look at is preparing your project for a new installation. This process consists of four distinct steps. They are:
STEP 1: EXCAVATING THE SITE
The first step is to excavate the topsoil off the area where your hardscape will be installed. You must dig down to the clay or subsoil. If your home is a new build and has recently been filled, you will want to compact the area using a large walk-behind compactor before moving on to the next step.
If your site isn’t new construction, you can begin adding the aggregate base layer. When calculating how deep to excavate, you will need to compensate for the actual thickness of the paver, one-inch of bedding sand, and the necessary gravel recommended for the type of project you are installing.
STEP 2: ADDING THE AGGREGATE BASE LAYER
The typical material used for the aggregate layer is composed of crushed gravel varying in size from about 3/4″ down to dust. For patios or walkways, this layer should be around 4 – 6-inches. For driveways, you will need to add aggregate to a depth of 8 – 12-inches. If you have a heavy clay subsoil, before you add the aggregate, you will want to install a geotextile underlayment. This is a woven fabric layer that will serve to prevent the aggregate from mixing with the soil below. This layer will also work to inhibit weed growth. Adding a geotextile layer is especially crucial in driveway installations.
If you’re subject to winter freezing, you may want to add additional aggregate to compensate for the freeze/thaw cycle. Once you’ve placed the material into the excavated site, you will need to rake it off evenly. At this stage, you will want to pitch the aggregate away from the house to accommodate water runoff and prevent flooding. The typical pitch is between 1/8 and 1/4″ of drop per linear foot. For driveways, depending on location, you’ll want to increase the pitch slightly to say ½ to 3/4″ per linear foot.
STEP 3: COMPACTION
This step requires you to rent a plate compactor with at least 5000 pounds of force. Most rental companies carry this walk-behind piece of equipment. Ideally, you’ll want to compact your base in “lifts” (layers) of no greater than 4 – 6-inches at a time. That means one or two passes for walkways and patios and two or three passes for large structures like driveways. If you try to compact deeper fill with a single pass, the result will be an improperly compacted base, which can lead to significant problems down the road.
STEP 4: BEDDING LAYER
The final step in preparing the site for installation is adding the bedding layer. This is the layer that the concrete pavers will sit on, and it consists of adding and leveling 1-inch of bedding sand material to the paver base. Using two pieces of 1″ metal or plastic conduit, place them on the sand and using a 2X4″ board, screed the sand smooth and level. You’re now ready lay the pavers.
INSTALLING PAVERS OVER EXISTING CONCRETE
If your home has an existing concrete patio or driveway, you can upgrade your space by overlaying thin concrete pavers over it as long as it can support a minimum of 4000 psi and is 4-inches thick, onto sand or DriBond setting bed.
DriBond will adhere the pavers directly to the concrete slab, much like thin-set works when installing tile. DriBond goes on as a thin, dry powder. The pavers are laid onto the DriBond, and to activate the adhesive, and you simply soak them with water. If you are just using a sand base, you’ll need to install an edging restraint.
Before you overlay concrete pavers onto an existing slab, make sure to verify that the distance from the top of the slab to any doorsills or entryways will accommodate the additional paver and setting bed thickness.
Installing concrete pavers in your landscape can provide you with years of enjoyment with family and friends, and add value to your home. Concrete pavers are durable, affordable, and aesthetically beautiful. When properly installed on a solid foundation, concrete pavers offer a low-maintenance surface and can literally last a lifetime!
If you’re considering adding hardscape to your home, and you live in the greater San Francisco Bay area, give the experts at Bayside Pavers a call at (925) 291-9384. Let us show you all the possibilities concrete pavers can offer!
If you live in the East or South Bay areas, stop by our Concord, CA location at 2455 Bates Ave., Ste K. For North Bay residents, our Santa Rosa location at 1619 4th Street, Ste 12, is ready to help!
