How to Block Pave a Drive

Mark the area you wish to pave. Remove the topsoil so that you have a base at least six inches below the damp proof course of an adjoining building if you plan to use one as an edge restraint.

Make sure the intended drive area has a slight slope across both the width and length for drainage purposes. Maintain at least a one-inch slope for every yard across the width and every two yards along the length.

Run the plate vibrator across the entire surface of your soil. Dig out any soft areas and fill them with sub-base material. Use a crushed rock sub-base of any kind from your local hardware or home improvement retailer.

Lay three to four inches of your desired sub-base material on top of the soil.

Set your edge restraints along the length and width of the intended drive area using concrete kerb, existing walls or edging from a local hardware retailer. Mount and cement any newly introduced edge restraints into place. Apply cement to the outside of the edge restraints.

Lay 2 ½ inches of soft, concreting sand on top of the sub-base material. Smooth the sand with a flat wooden beam, such as a 2 x 4.

Lay the blocks on top of the soft, concreting sand in your desired pattern. Be sure not to walk on the sand.

Run the plate vibrator over the blocks two or three times. This compacts the sand and pushes it between spaces in the base of your blocks.

Spread fine joint-filling sand over the blocks. Brush the sand over the blocks using a push broom so that the sand spreads evenly and sets into the crevices.

Run the plate vibrator over the sand until it has settled between the blocks.