How to Pave Interlock Stone

Measure the area where you want to pave interlock stone. Use the measuring tape to determine the length and the width of the area you are paving. Multiply the length by the width, to get the total square footage. This will help you estimate how much interlocking stone will be needed.

Mark the area with marking spray. Use marking spray to create the perimeter line of the area where you are installing pavers.

Contact the utility, phone and cable companies. Before you dig or pave the area, the utility companies must check to see if there are any wires or devices underground.

Prepare the area where you are placing the pavers. You should make the ground level. If the area has holes, then you need to fill those holes with dirt. You can use the level to help you. Dig out grass, sand or dirt.

For driveways and patios, dig a width that is six inches more than the planned paved area, to allow for edging installation. For a walkway, dig approximately three inches wider.

Pour the gravel into the excavated area. Use your shovel to spread the gravel out, and make it as level as possible. The height of the gravel should be three inches below the height of the paved area.

Pour coarse sand on the gravel. Use a shovel to level the sand. It should create a layer that is about one-inch thick, on top of the gravel.

Lay the interlock stones in the design you are installing. Lay it out, so you can see where you may need to cut individual stones to fit around corners, decks or other outdoor fixtures.

Mark the pavers you need to cut with marking chalk.

Cut the pavers using a three-pound hammer, or sledge hammer and a chisel. If you have a masonry saw, you can use this tool to make the cuts.

Ensure each paver sits so that it is butted right up against its neighboring pavers. Gently hammer pavers into the ground to lock them in place. You should also tap the sides of the pavers, where necessary, to lock each paver to its neighbor.

Install the edging around the perimeter of the entire paved area. Edging helps to keep the pavers in place. Slide an anchor stake through the hole of the edging, and place it vertically in the ground.

Hammer the anchor and the edging into the ground. Do this until the edging is flush, or the same height as the paver. You should hammer an anchoring stake into the edging every two feet.