How to Lay Paving Slabs on Soil

Create a guide for your project by outlining the perimeter of your installation area with marking paint.

Dig out your installation area to a depth of 7 inches. This should get you down to undisturbed subsoil, which provides a better support for your paving slab than the worked soil on top.

Remove any stones or sticks from the soil you have exposed. Run a plate compactor over the entire area to flatten the surface completely. You must start with a stable, flat base to achieve a stable, flat installation.

Pour a 4-inch layer of paver base or crushed stone evenly over the installation area. Smooth out the stones with a garden rake, and then compact the surface with the plate compactor to flatten out the area.

Top the paver base with a 1 inch layer of sand. Moisten the sand with a hose so that it is easier to spread, and create a completely flat layer on top of the base. Compact this surface as well; this will be the final surface on which you set your slabs.

Set your paving slabs on top of the sand in your designated design. Tap each slab against the previous slab you installed and then drop it into place to avoid dragging it through the sand and disrupting your flat surface.

Cut slabs with a diamond blade wet saw as necessary to fit in your design. This saw is specifically designed to cut through stone and brick.

Lay all full and cut slabs until your project is complete. Surround the area with plastic or metal edging material to help prevent shifting. These kits come with stakes that will hold the edge in place against the slabs. Drive them in at a slight angle toward the slabs for best hold.

Spread a layer of sand on top of the slabs and force it into the joints with a broom. Moisten the sand to help it settle. When all joints are filled, sweep away the excess sand and compact the entire surface, working first horizontally across the surface (like mowing a lawn) and then at 90 degrees to ensure that everything is settled.