How to Install Pavers

When installing pavers you want to get it right the first time, otherwise, you’ll end up having to make repairs after a few years.

You want to make sure you or your contractor is using the right materials. There are ways to cut corners when installing pavers, especially to the untrained eye. If you’re doing the installation yourself it’s better to spend a couple of extra bucks so you don’t have to redo your work down the road.

Supplies Needed to Install Pavers:

• Pavers – approximately $3.00 + tax per square foot
• ¾ Road Stone – $20.00 per ton
• Concrete Sand – $35 per ton
• Edging Restraint – $12.00 per 10-foot length
• Polymeric Sand – $20.00 per bag

Tools

• Shovel or Excavator
• Plate Compactor
• Laser Level
• Cutoff Saw with a Water Attachment
• Garden Hose
• Spray Paint for Marking

First outline where you want to install your new paver patio, walkway, or driveway. Using spray paint or any other marking material, measure and outline the area where you’re installing the pavers.

Once you have outlined the area the next step is to excavate. You want to make sure you dig deep enough to lay a solid foundation. Without creating the proper foundation your pavers will shift, raise, or sink within a few seasons. Depth will always depend on the type of installation you are doing. For all projects, you want to excavate an additional foot on each side of the installation to provide a wide and sturdy base.

Tip: If you are hiring a contractor to be sure to ask them how much they excavate. Sometimes, contractors will try to save money by only digging an inch or two. 

Excavation Depths for Paver Installations:

Depending on your soil conditions you may choose to excavate an additional inch or two. If your soil is mostly clay add 2 inches for any type of installation.

Now that you have excavated you can begin to lay the foundation down. We use ¾ inch road stone because of its durability. When laying the road stone, leave about an inch of depth for the concrete sand.

After the road stone is laid using a plate compactor to level the foundation and make sure it is packed tightly. It’s very important to thoroughly compact the area to create a solid foundation that will last a lifetime. We use a Bomag 6500 cfm laboratory plate compactor. We recommend only compacting up to 8 inches of foundation at a time. For bigger projects like installing a driveway, we recommend laying half of the stone, compacting it, laying the remaining road stone, and compacting it again.

Tip: Another way some contractors try to save money is by using recycled crushed concrete for foundation instead of road stone. Crushed concrete only costs $5 per ton, but will deteriorate over time and will cause pavers to shift, sink, or rise.

Your next step is to lay the concrete sand filling in the last inch of depth. To set your grade use a laser level and the compactor to smooth over the area leaving a gentle slope away from your home. By doing so water won’t pool in the middle of the patio or run off towards your house.

Tip: Another way certain contractors can cut costs is by using an alternative to concrete sand called “dust.”  Dust costs $8 a ton compared to $35 for concrete sand. However, over time “dust” will eat away the base of your pavers causing severe deterioration of your walkway, driveway, or patio.

Now that you’ve got the foundation in place begin installing pavers by starting with the border. Then, lay down the inside pavers in the desired pattern leaving 1/16” to 1/8” gap between each paver.

Depending on the shape or pattern of your paver installation you might need to cut some of the pavers. When you begin to cut your pavers, use a cutoff saw with a water attachment. We use a Stihl TS420 cutoff saw with a water attachment. In many states including New Jersey, it’s illegal to cut pavers without using water because of how much dust it generates. Make sure you wear proper eye protection and a breathing mask to keep the particles out of your eyes and mouth.

For any of the pavers you cut, you’ll need to wash and scrub off the concrete slurry. Afterward, wash the remaining pavers with your hose. Make sure you don’t use to much water and keeping it a low pressure so you don’t deteriorate the foundation.

After all the pavers are in position it’s time to lay the edging restraint. Make sure the edging is secure and snug against the pavers to prevent shifting.

Tip: Some contractors will opt to use concrete to seal the edges because it only costs $3 per bag versus $12 per length of standard edging restraint. By cutting costs and using concrete, you are prone to deterioration and will only last a few seasons. Using a high quality edging restraint will ensure your pavers hold up for many years.

Once the edging restraints are set, spread the polymeric sand over the pavers. Use a broom to sweep the sand into position filling in the spaces between each paver.

Afterward, clean all remaining debris and begin to enjoy your new paver walkway. You may want to plan for a removal service to remove the extra dirt or debris from the excavation and installation. Every 100 square feet of excavation usually produces between 3 and 5 cubic yards of dirt (varies for depth).

Using the right materials may cost a few extra dollars now, but will save you thousands down the road. If you are selecting a contractor make sure you ask them the appropriate questions so you know they aren’t cutting corners when they are installing your pavers. We have seen so many failed paver installations over the years and 90% of the time it was due to the wrong materials being used or not digging a proper foundation.