TOOLS NEEDED                                         MATERIALS NEEDED

 

Tape Measure                                               Compactable fill (Base Material)

Shovel                                                             Medium/Course sand (bedding agent)

Sod Stripper                                                   Fabric (optional)

Plate Compactor or Hand Tamp                   Edge Restraint

Garden rake                                                   Surface Material (Pavers)

2’ Level and Line Level                                Medium/course sand (Joint Material)

String Line & Stakes                                     Sealer (optional)

Screed Guide (1”ID)

Rubber Mallet

Saw with Masonry Blade or wet saw

• Measure and mark off sidewalk area with stakes, string line and a line level. The stakes should be set 12” beyond the proposed edges of the sidewalk. To get perpendicular lines (sq corners) use the 3-4-5 triangle method.

• Strip Sod-excavate with sod stripper or square point shovel & excavate an additional 6” – 7”.

• Check & measure in several areas to ensure uniform width and a consistent excavation depth. Over dig 3”- 6” so that the excavation is wider on the edges where edge restraint will be installed.   

• Place compactable fill in 2” layers, spread with a garden rake & compact with a plate compactor or hand tamp. Compact from the outside into the center making at least 2 complete passes, overlapping the passes.

• After the compactable fill is in place lay down the screed guides 1’ – 2’ apart and parallel to each other. Spread sand in this area (over the guides) and screed off with a piece of 2 X 4. (or any straight edge).

• Begin placing pavers at a fixed, permanent point (drive, house, porch, etc). Alternate left to right when laying rows. Every 4’ or so, string a line across the edge & make sure the pattern is straight. Lay all full pieces first, saving the cuts to the end.

• When cutting, measure the open space from the edge to the full paver at both the top and the bottom. Cut with circular saw with masonry blade or a wet saw.

• After the pavers are in place, remove any excess sand from the edge of the pavers, so the edge restraint can be placed against the pavers on the base material. Push the edge restraint under the sand bed and the pavers. Then use a hammer to tap the edging up tight against the pavers. Place spikes every 2’.

• Run the compactor over the pavers a minimum of 2 passes working from the outside in & overlapping passes. The first pass will level the pavers and compact the sand.

• Spread a thin layer of dry sand over the pavers & sweep back and forth to fill the joints. Alternate compacting and sweeping. Repeat until no joints open up after compacting. Sweep off any excess.

                                                             Tips

·        Before starting any project that requires digging, call OUPS at 800-362-2764.

·        If loose material is dry and dusty, wet down slightly for easier compaction.

·        Joint sand stabilizer sealer will both seal the pavers and lock the sand down in the joints.

·        Polymeric joint sand helps stop insect mining and helps prevent weed seeds from penetrating.

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