When Do You Tamp Pavers?

Paver Compaction

• You tamp pavers after they are properly laid out on a sand base. Pavers need 1/4 inch of joint space surrounding them. Spread sand across the pavers and gently sweep it into the joints. After filling the joints, you need to use a plate compactor across the new walkway. These machines are easily rented from home improvement stores and provide a strong tamping action to level your pavers quickly into the sand base. You must repeatedly fill the joints with sand and tamp the area to slowly finish your project. You've completed the tamping, or compaction, portion when sand can no longer be added to the paver joints.

Tamping Strategy

• As you move the plate compactor across your pavers, allow it to overlap your last pass by approximately 4 inches. You create a more accurate leveling action with consistent overlapping. In fact, all pavers should eventually drop into the sand base by about 1/4 inch. Along with joint sand, tamping firmly holds your pavers in place. Once you tamp the entire project, you should angle your compactor 45 degrees off from your original direction as you work across the pavers again. This tamping strategy creates a long-lasting walkway that does not allow weeds to infiltrate the joints over time.

Sand Type Influence

• Tamping pavers with improper sand does not lock them into place but simply jostles them into a temporary position that is easily dislodged. Only use multisized sand grains found in course river or granular mixtures. As you tamp the pavers down, large and small sand particles rub together and slowly coalesce into a locked joint. Using only large or small sand particles does not create a stable walkway. These sand grains form small air pockets between them, allowing water to move within the joint and quickly shift the pavers out of place. Specialized sand, referred to as polymeric, has specific additives within its mixture to harden when exposed to water. Although not necessary, this sand type forms fast joints after tamping and water application.

Base Consideration

• Your paver base consists of 4 inches of gravel with 1 inch of sand. Before laying your pavers on this sand layer, you need to tamp your base. Any low-lying or bumpy areas across your base are quickly seen on a finished walkway. Your paver joints do not hold for long if they are not level as well. Tamp your sand base to create a hard-packed surface. After laying your pavers and adding joint sand, your compactor has a strong surface to compact. Your resulting walkway has strength along with flexibility to last for many years.