How to Lay Down Outdoor Pavers

There's little better than sitting outside when the weather is warm; and if you have your own patio with room for a barbecue grill and chairs, all the better. You can create your own patio in a weekend, depending on the size of the patio. Most people use paving stones because they come in a variety of shapes, sizes and material to match any home style. Start by going to your hardware or home center and make your selection.

Instructions

- 1
  Rid the area where you plan to place paving bricks of all refuse and growing matter and spray weed-killer to discourage vegetation from regrowing. Dig out the soil where the pavers will be laid to about 4 inches deep. Pick the direction where runoff will flow away from the house, and with your spade make the area next to your house about 1/4-inch per foot higher than the other side of your patio so heavy rain will drain properly away from your house. Tamp down the dirt and eliminate any visible low spots.
- 2
  Pour enough sand into the area so that it is 1 inch to 3 inches deep when spread out. Level the sand with a length of 2-by-4 or other lumber.
- 3
  Sketch out your patio before you begin laying the pavers, then begin laying them. Make sure they fit together snugly; many styles of paving stones have ridges on their sides that interlock when installed
- 4
  Sprinkle sand over all of the pavers, then with a broom, sweep the sand between the grooves to perfect the fit. Hose in the sand lightly and brush more in as needed. Simply spread sand and sweep again from time to time as part of a maintenance routine.

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