Installation of Cement Pavors in Sand

Removing Soil

• Excavate the soil at the area where you intend to install the sand base for the pavers. Use a pickaxe. Dig the soil 8 inches deep. This will allow for the base materials of crusher run gravel and sand, and will also account for the 4 inch cement paver, which must be 2 inches below grade, as well.

Installing Gravel

• Install 4 inches of crusher run gravel into the bottom of the hole. The crusher run must be used beneath the sand so that the base will remain stable. Tamp the gravel with a gas tamper or hand tamper, which can be found at any tool rental store.

Installing Fabric

• Install landscaping fabric over the top of the crusher run gravel. This fabric will prevent weeds from growing through the sand of the paver installation. Overlap the fabric by 6 inches, though. Cut the fabric to size using a razor knife.

Installing Sand

• Lay one stick of 2-inch PVC pipe on top of the fabric. Add sand to the top of the PVC pipe over the entire area to be paved, tamping the sand flat with a hand tamper. Remove the pipe after adding the sand. The pipe is used only for height reference.

Paver Installation

• Install the pavers onto the sand, beginning in the center, tapping them into the sand using a rubber mallet to set them in place. After installing a 4-foot area of pavers, use a level to check the pavers. Cut paver pieces around the edges of the installation with a right angle grinder and a 4-inch masonry blade. Wear goggles and a dust mask when cutting. Sweep sand into the paver joints, and wash off the surface of the pavers with water.