Patio Site Preparation for Concrete Pavers

Building a paver patio requires determining the layout and dimensions of the patio and preparing the ground to accept the pavers. Preparation means digging out the area to a specific depth, compacting the subsurface and pouring layers of gravel and sand at a slight angle away from any structure, such as a house or shed, for drainage. Proper planning and preparation ensures a smooth task of installing the cement pavers.

Marking paint
Patio furniture
Shovel
Crushed gravel
Cement sand
Tamper
String
String level
Wood stake

Instructions

- 1
  Lay out the patio furniture that will occupy the completed patio to identify the dimensions desired for the patio. Mark the outline of the dimensions with marking paint on the ground.
- 2
  Dig out the area to a depth equal to the pavers plus 3 inches. Compact the ground with a hand tamper, a long pole with a flat, heavy base and two handles on the side, or a mechanical tamper available for rent from most hardware stores.
- 3
  Hammer a wood stake into the edge of the patio closest to the house or structure and a second stake on the edge furthest from the structure. Tie a string to both stakes with a string level attached. The string needs to sit 3 inches above the ground closest to the house and angle down so that it drops 1 inch for every 20 feet of area before you tie it to the second stake.
- 4
  Pour 1 inch of crushed gravel onto the ground. Compact the gravel so that it is flat and smooth.
- 5
  Pour 2 inches of cement sand so that the sand is flush with the string and follows the same slight decline along the length of the area. Compact the sand with the tamper. Check the level in relation to the string and add or remove sand as needed.

How to Attach Brick Pavers to Concrete

How to Lay Pavers in Patterns

Paving