Step-by-Step on How to Pave a Driveway

Sprinkle powdered chalk over the area you want to pave to demarcate it and separate it from the surrounding space. Mark existing structures within the chalk lines by encircling them with powdered chalk. Measure the width by the length of the marked space to determine the square footage so you use bricks accordingly. Make a second chalk perimeter 8 inches outside the previous one to provide adequate working space and room for edging.

Dig a 9- to 11-inch deep trench within the outer powdered chalk outline for the project. An excavation this deep accommodates 6 to 8 inches of the gravel base, the sand bedding and the selected paver height. To improve drainage and direct rain or flood water away from your house or nearby building, dig the trench an inch deeper every 5 feet so it slopes.

Compact the base of the excavation with a plate compactor so it is level and firm. Remove any plant debris, stones or rocks because the smallest depression or bump will be visible in the finished project.

Lay a 3-inch-thick layer of crushed rock over the base and compact it with a mechanical plate compactor. For best results, work in a circular motion and run over the area two to three times. Moisten the rocks lightly to prevent the base from drying. Once firm, spread another 3-inch-thick layer of crushed rock and compact. Spread a third identical layer and compact so the top is 3 to 3-1/2 inches below the top of the excavation.

Insert edging around the rock to hold it in place and prevent the pavers from shifting. Lay lengths of steel, plastic or precast concrete edging around the edges of the excavation and reinforce with 12-inch spikes.

Spread 1-1/2 inches of coarse sand over the gravel bed. Level the top of the sand.

Lay the pavers directly over the sand bed. Start from one corner of the prepared area and work until the other corner, spacing adjacent pavers 1/8 inches apart. Split a paver with a mechanical splitter or masonry saw, if necessary.

Compact the pavers with a mechanical plate compactor that embeds them in the sand below. Spread sand over the bricks and sweep over the driveway so it trickles into the spaces between pavers. Brush away excess sand from the surface of the pavers.