December 18, 2015
7 Things You Should Know About Your Pavers
Whether you’re looking to update your pavers or install new ones for your patio, having a thorough understanding of the process is important. By knowing the right tricks, we guarantee that your patio will be looking exceptional at the end. Bedrock Industries is an Orlando pavers company that would like to share seven expert tips to make your pavers installation easier.
- Dig Deep: Before beginning, make sure to call your local utilities or 811 to have any plumbing, electrical, or cable lines properly marked. Afterwards, dig below the vegetation level, which is about six inches. For drier soils, try to water the area a day before in order to help ease the digging process.
- Eliminate Weeds: Use landscaping cloth to establish a division between the oil soil and the new sand base. Doing so will help reduce the amount of weeds and other unnecessary vegetation. Determine your patio’s square footage by multiplying the length and width, then adding ten percent.
- Create the Base: Use a wacker-plate compactor or tamper in order to pack in the paver base or sand. A well-leveled and smooth base is required to lay pavers. Don’t forget to repack the material on each layer.
- Plan for Drainage: You should also make sure your patio will slope away from your home to an area that can handle moisture or to an already established drainage. For every two feet in distance, create a quarter-inch drop in elevation.
- Make Cuts for a Perfect Fit: If you plan on establishing any sort of patterns, you’ll need to cut the stones. This can be done by using a cold chisel, or you can make your workload easier by renting a wet saw from your local home center.
- Pack in the Cracks: Have your pavers firmly set in place by layering on sand over and between them until the cracks are fully covered. When correctly done, this will keep them in place, prevent weeds from sprouting, and allows for proper drainage.
- Have Extra Pavers on Hand: Keeping extra stones or bricks is recommended in case any repairs are required later. Broken pavers can be removed by using screwdrivers or a thin pry bar. If you need to replace the new stones, make sure it is cut slightly smaller than the length of the opening in order for new sand to be packed all around.
By following these few simple tips, your paving experience will be uninterrupted and done before you know it. The Orlando pavers experts at Bedrock Industries would like to remind everyone to have the necessary materials prepared before getting started. For any assistance needed or questions, please call us at 407-859-1300.