Concrete Paving Day 1

Concrete pavers

The manageable way to lay hardwearing paths, patios, courtyards and driveways, while avoiding the sameness of plain concrete. Pavers can be laid in stages, and even better, lifted if drains, cables or pipes underneath need servicing

Tools

Pencil

Tape Measure

String lines

Spirit level

Spade

Shovel

Rake

Broom

Screed board

Plate compactor {Hired}

Concrete saw/Paver splitter/Bolster

Planning

Draw the area you want to pave, to scale. From that, estimate the quantities you need.

Buying Tips

Buy all your pavers from one outlet and from the same batch if possible. That avoids differences in colour that can result from different batches. If you can't buy all one batch, mix the pavers up before laying.

Criteria
Weight of traffic: some pavers can withstand only pedestrian use. Others will take light vehicle traffic. Even stronger pavers will handle heavy vehicles. Check specifications with PlaceMakers.

Paver shape and size
Should suit the size and shape of the area being paved.

Laying pattern

Again, this should suit the area being paved. Options include:

45 degree herringbone,

stretcher bond;

basket weave;

soldier courses along the edges.

Extensive areas of paving, particularly when large of soft top soil have to be dug out, require large volumes of materials. There are four main materials:

• Pavers
• Bedding sand
• Base course material (usually)
• Jointing sand

 

 

 Digging Out

1. Determine the finished level of the highest part of your paving. Against buildings, that should be at least 150mm below the level of concrete floors, or below the ground level under timber floors. From there, your paving should slope between 15mm to 30mm per metre away from the building. That prevents water ponding or running under buildings.
2. Dig out the area to be paved to the combined depth of the three layers, ie. pavers, bedding sand and base course.

• Paver thickness is set by the expected weight of traffic.
• Bedding sand is laid between 20mm and 3Omm thick.
• Base course is the only variable. It is the foundation of your paving. The thickness of the base course depends on the firmness of the underlying ground, or "sub-grade". Soft sub-grade has to be dug out deeper, because it needs a thicker base course than hard sub-grade. To test the sub-grade, dig down to about 200mm in several places within the planned paved area, then test the hardness of the sub-grade by walking on and stamping your heel into it.

 

 

 

SUB GRADE TESTING Strength Weak Moderate Strong Walking and heel test Walking leaves distinct footprints. Heel leaves an impression. Neither walking or heel leaves an impression. Driveways (light wheeled traffic only) Needs 175mm of base material. Needs 125mm of base material. Needs 75mm of base material. Pedestrian use only. Needs 75mm of base material   Needs 50mm of base material. No base material required, just sand.

 

Excavation example

Paver thickness (driveway)	60mm
Bedding sand	30mm
Base Course (assume   moderate sub grade firmness)	125mm
Excavation depth below    the top surface of the    pavers =	215mm