Alpharetta Paver Stone Installation

Measure the area where you plan to install Alpharetta stone pavers, then stake it out about a foot wider with wooden stakes and builder's twine. Be sure you have 90-degree (square) corners at your starting point. Then order stones from an Alpharetta dealer (or other similar stones if Alpharetta stones are not available in your area). The dealer will tell you how many you need to fill the area and what other supplies you need.

Excavate your area for a base after contacting utility companies to make sure there are no buried water, communications, gas or other lines. If your area will be for only foot traffic, dig 7 to 9 inches deep; for vehicle traffic, dig 9 to 11 inches. Excavate a foot beyond your paving area on all sides. Then install a gravel base, 4 to 6 inches for foot traffic, 6 to 8 inches for vehicles. Compact the soil with a hand or mechanical tamper before laying down gravel. Lay your gravel in courses, compacting each layer until you can walk on it without making an indentation before you add another layer. Put down gravel until the base is 3 inches or so below the desired finish level.

Prepare a sand bed. Place edge restraints -- plastic, metal, pressure-treated wood or (recommended) concrete curbs. Lay a layer of sand. One recommended method is to make screed rails of electrical conduit or wood, 6 to 8 inches apart, then pack a 1-inch layer of sand between the rails. Run a 2 by 4 board across the rails to smooth and level the sand; then remove the rails and fill the indentations with sand. Don't step on or compact the sand once it's smoothed.

Lay your Alpharetta stone pavers. Start in a 90-degree corner and lay the paver stones in any pattern you have chosen, keeping joint lines straight. Use a string line as a guide to keep lines straight. Work from pavers you have laid to avoid getting on the sand bed. Periodically check paver height by running a string line across the pavers. Leave a 1/8-inch gap between stones. Cut stones where necessary to fit using a wet saw or mallet and stone chisel. Once all pavers are laid, sweep masonry sand into the gaps; leave some on the surface at first, then tamp the stones with a hand tamper and sweep the remaining sand in. You will have to sweep in more sand for two or three days until gaps are filled.