Build a Paver Patio

People like to build a paver patio because of its several advantages. Once you have constructed the paver patio it will last for a long time. It does not require much maintenance. Cleaning of a paver patio does not require much effort. A little bit of brooming and a gentle power washing is enough. If any of the paver stones get damaged, they can be easily replaced with new ones.

To start with, you have to ascertain the position where you want to install a paver patio. Then decide the size and shape of the paver patio. Usually, square and rectangular shaped paver patios are preferred because they can be created easily. Mark the location accordingly with the help of a string and take the measurements so that you can determine the number of pavers you have to purchase. Always buy a few pieces of pavers extra as they can be used when some of them need to be replaced.

Prepare the Base
The first step to build a paver patio is to prepare the base for the patio, for which you require some common garden tools. This is a very vital step as the success of the paver patio project largely depends on how well the base surface has been prepared. Clear the sod, debris, rocks, bricks from the area with the help of a square shovel. Then dig the soil with a depth of around 4 inches for the paver and the sand. It includes two inches for the paver and one inch for the sand base.

If there is poor soil in any area then a deeper base will be required. To check that the depth of the base is uniform, you can use a string to measure in some random areas of the dug surface. If the patio is adjacent to the house, then you have to make a slope for proper drainage. A slope of one inch in an area of 8 feet will be just right for this purpose. Create marks with strings on the ground after a gap of every 8 feet and remove some extra soil as you move away. The soil of the dug surface has to be leveled and made compact using a tamper to make it more flat. Otherwise the surface of the patio will be uneven.

Adding Sand
When a flat compact base has been prepared, it's time to add paver's sand on it. You have to spread one inch of sand on the surface to increase the stability of the patio and for a better drainage system. To get uniformly leveled sand, take two PVC pipes of one inch diameter and lay them a few feet away from each other. These pipes will act as the screed rails. Continue to add sand in the areas surrounding the pipes and then fill up the entire area.

Placing the Paver Stones
Now place the pavers as per the patio design that you have planned. Make sure that the pavers are fitted very tightly in order to make the pattern more prominent. Once you have completed filling up the area with paver stones, you may find some spaces on the edges where the entire piece of the paver cannot be fitted in. This happens more when there are more number of curves, and not so much in square-shaped and rectangular-shaped patios. In that case, you have to cut the paver stones with the help of a masonry blade or circular saw. You have to take measurement of the gaps. Place a cardboard over the gap and mark the line on which the stone has to be cut. Use this as a sample and cut the stone as per that size. As a finishing touch, pour some sand on the newly laid paver stones and broom it into the gaps in between the stones to secure the pavers. Thus, the project of building a paver patio comes to an end. Occasionally, keep adding sand to the gaps as the sand is washed away by rainwater.

A paver patio is an excellent home improvement idea. To build a paver patio, it is not necessary that you have to use the concrete ones only. There are other options that are available as well. Stones like granite or limestone can be used for this purpose too. However, it is an expensive option and you should avail it only if your budget is high. Otherwise, you can use brick, as it can give a versatile look to the patio without costing you too much. A last word of advise is to make sure that your patio blends somewhat with the outdoor furniture or patio furniture that you have in your garden or backyard.