How to Lay Pavers on Painted Concrete

Cover the painted concrete slab with roughly 1 inch of stone dust, and rake the stone dust so it is fairly level. Much like it does with a traditional paver patio, the stone dust provides a solid, stable footing for the pavers and prevents them from wobbling and sinking.

Spray the stone dust with a moderate amount of water from a hose, and tamp the stone dust thoroughly with a hand tamper. Apply the water so it covers the stone dust but does not pool excessively. Hand tampers are available for rent at most equipment rental stores. While a power tamper performs the task quicker, it may not be appropriate for use on a concrete slab, as the vibrations can cause cracking. Repeat the watering and tamping process two or three times to get a compacted layer of stone dust.

Place a long level across the stone dust, and look for areas where the stone dust is too high or low. Trim or fill these areas accordingly while ensuring the stone dust is level.

Lay the pavers on the stone dust in a pattern that you find eye-catching. The pattern you use depends partly on the size and shape of the pavers, which are available in many styles. Basket weave and herringbone are common styles that create visual interest. As you place each paver, press down on it firmly. If it wobbles, add or remove stone dust under one or more corners.

Place a strip of plastic landscaping edging along each edge of the concrete slab, and anchor it to the ground with long, aluminum nails and a small sledge hammer. The edging will hold the stone dust in place and prevent erosion.

Dump sand on the pavers, and brush it around the entire area until you have filled each crack between the pavers with sand. While regular sand will work, polymeric sand will harden when wet, creating a grout-like finish. If you're using polymeric sand, spray the area with a hose after brushing the sand into the cracks.