Can I Put 2 Inches of Concrete Under Pavers?

Ratio

• The concrete mixture used to install patio stones is mixed in a concrete mixer or purchased in bags from your local home improvement store with the dry mix already blended together. As a rule it is four to five parts sand to one part cement and enough water so that the mixture packs together in a squeezed fist but not so runny that it can be spread with a trowel. It should be the consistency of damp sand.

Gravel Base

• Patio stones using a 2 inch layer of concrete still need a base layer of pebbles or gravel beneath everything else to provide adequate drainage for the installation over the years. Soil tends to buckle when it freezes due to the expansion of water. To prevent water buildup, a base layer of gravel is included under the patio so no buckling can take place. This protects the patio stones from popping up over the years.

Sand Base

• Sand is the element used in patio installations that cushions the patio against seasonal movement as well as foot traffic. Usually a 2 to 4 inch layer of packed sand is included on top of the gravel for cushioning, and your concrete base is installed on top of this layer of packed sand. All these elements combined create the perfect base for a paver patio or walkway.

Slurry Coat

• Before the stones can be installed on top of your gravel, sand and concrete mixture, you need to include a slurry coat on the backs of the patio stones so that they will bond to the concrete mix. A slurry coat at its most basic level is pure cement mixed together with water to create a paint-like mixture that is then painted onto the backs of the stones as they are installed into a fresh bed of concrete. The pavers are there to stay once everything sets up.