For real! I worked construction for 10 years as a fire sprinkler pipe fitter and am now a firefighter. This is the first video out of MANY that ACTUALLY explains the thinking and proper process of doing this job. All the other videos have been so vague. Thank you!
Hi there I love this video! I’m laying a patio in Fl ,sandy sub base and doing 6” base, once I compact my sub base soil,do I then put my geotextile fabric then over that the 3/4 rock or the A gravel, then the 1” HBB( 1/4” clear stone). There’s only one layer of geotextile fabric and that’s over the subsoil correct? Thank you😅
WHy does this video NOT have more views?? THIS INFORMATION IS INVALUABLE... I've watched over 130 youtube videos on laying pavers etc.. and NO ONE has covered this information !! what do with clay?? how to know what 1000 lbs of compacting does ( 1 inch at a time) .. all kinds of GREAT INFO I haven't heard of yet !!!! this video is full of little tib bits to make your job so much easier. but knowing what to do and when to do it..
I am replacing some asphalt from my driveway and replacing it with pavers. This video is the best that I have seen. I will be using your method. Thanks for sharing.👍👍🍁
Just started in this trade last summer. This winter I was able to borrow and read the ICPI concrete paver installer textbook. Your channel has really helped sink it all in for me.
Great video! Very informative and detailed. I’m just about done excavating for my patio project. Thanks for the great tips. You and The Christian Hardscaper are my favorite paver channels.
i have been seen more than 20 video's of how to install paver & today i found this video & i was amazed of such a level of detail & good explanation of how to do a good job installing pavers im glad i found this video & i whish i had found it early so i don't have to watched the other videos. Great !!! JOB on making this video. thank you !!!
Another great video! Would like to see a dedicated hardscaper instructional on paver cleaning, sealing application, efflorescence, resanding, power wash and do's/don'ts.
Will do! Thank you for the suggestions. We do have an efflorescence video. And there is a resanding / power wash video in there somewhere. But definitely need a cleaning and sealing video, just been a while since I've done that.
I'm in heavy clay, you could dang near call woopie to make a ghost vase. I almost laid down 6" of 3/4 tb. I'm glad I watched this first. Looks like I need to dig more clay too.
Dude, love your name! Jealous of your good grade! They cut mine 7 inches down and leveled around to a valley and left me with a mound of dirt, 3 inches around and I'm out of dirt... first time, wish me luck!
Yes. I have a landscape company in canada and the videos are detailed and well instructed make more on pavers and retaining walls stairs raised patios. Where are you located im in a heavy clay area in norther ontario
I thought clay compaction or soil compaction should not be done first as it will prevent drainage. The ChristianHardscaper recommends compacting a thin layer of 3/4” clean stone into the clay for drainage first. Any thoughts on this?
If you are installing a permeable application then you should not compact it. But if you are installing another application and you are dealing with clay it’s not a big deal because that clay is not going to drain freely anyways. We always compact 3/4” clean into the clay and if it is saturated we throw down some sprinkling of Portland cement as well
Hi! Thank You so much for such valuable info.! When laying the pavers against wall of the house, do you place them right next to the wall ? Or do you leave a small gap to be filled with polymeric sand?
The pavers themselves should have built in bumps that naturally creates a gap. Though I still usually still add 1/8” to 1/4” gap as well when up against a foundation.
Fantastic detail, thanks! Around 15:30 you say to fill around where the screed pipes have left indents - I presumed that meant you removed the screed pipes? But then in the scene starting around 16:07, you're laying the pavers and it's clear that some screed pipes have been left intact. Is that only because there's further screeding still to be done (off to the right of the scene)? Thanks
Hi mate any chance you can do a video on limestone blocks? Just started landscaping/hardscaping and we are doing a lot of single course limestone block work, either as a retaining wall or bordering for sand pits. I can't help but think there's an easier/faster/better way than the way I've been taught currently. At the moment we're digging, laying a quickset concrete footing and roughly levelling that. then we're putting about 40mm of mortar on the bottom and placing the block, and levelling the blocks in the mortar with either wedges or mallet. then mortaring between the gaps of the wall. most videos of retaining walls I see seem to have no mortar on the bottom and just level/compact with road base.
Thank you for your videos, one of the best I like to watch regarding patios. I have an "L" shaped patio with retaining walls (I live in a condo). I understand the slope i need to have away from my house but what about from the retaining walls? We do not have any drains systems in place unfortunately.
You would have to capture that water and exit it out of the area. This would be something like a channel drain that is added with a pipe that will take that water out of the area.
Thank you! Yeah we have a video on building a single step and then we have our latest videos which are covering a project we are doing building multiple steps at the side of a house.
Thank you for your reply. Really appreciate that. When using the synthetic panels, does the polymer sand ever work its way under the pavers during the compaction process? Just trying to make sure I don’t over compact if there is such a thing with the synthetic panels. Thank you much!
Can you or do you have an in depth video on laying the paver pattern and border in order to get even cuts on corners and areas that need cuts. I've heard the term paver perfect meaning to map out your cuts to make less cuts but also even cuts like on each end of a driveway etc.
I don’t, but that would be a good video. We do have a video on cutting coping for a pool which covers cutting on corners. Start with laying your corners and those cuts, then work your way out when it comes to the borders.
I prefer 1/4" clear because we try to do open graded base or synthetic bases for each install. Can't use sand for those applications (you can use it for synthetic base, but it is not the best).
Do we need to stamp the screeds before laying down the stone? Also along the fence how can we do it in such away that it is tight to the fence? Do we need to add the plastic edge restraints along the fence?
You don't need to compact the screed layer, that comes when compacting the pavers. Here is a way you can do it along the fence to get it tight: ruclips.net/video/IsWlyf578pE/видео.htmlsi=zN4l01KC9uHoVHOY&t=598
Great video! How do you get the stones to stick to the ground (at 15:36)? The polymeric sand goes in the joints, but is there anything under the stones that needs to be applied to glue it?
Your base wouldn’t need to be as deep. But everything else applies the same. I’d reach out to a local stone supplier to see what materials they recommend in the installation where you are located.
Hi! Great videos! I have a question for you. What would he the recommended base laters for a hotter climate (Caribbean) where we don’t get the freeze frost cycles?
In a open graded system, where do you place the perforated pipes for water drainage? Also, how much effective space does a pipe cover for draining purposes; do I need multiple pipes throughout my system?
If you are concerned about the infiltration rate of your subsoil (clay), then you can dig your subsoil sloping to the middle of the project or to one end of the project and have a trench there to then lay your perforated pipe into and carry it out of the project. This is a little more complicated though deciding how many pipes and where to place them if your patio is irregular. If it is a simple square shape I would just slope it to one side and into a French drain. Some people don't even bother with the drain especially if they are using polymeric sand as their jointing compound.
hi, when the line is sloping down away from the house should the top of the paver be at the same height of the line when it’s sloping down? i’m still kind of lost on the sloping if you don’t mind helping. Thanks 😎 i love the vid btw
The line can represent anything you want it to. I use it for top of paver. And the measure down from that line to guide my excavation, base preparation, and bedding.
For example- if your patio is 20' long, 1/8" fall = 2.5" total. Start by setting your string level (starting with your desired height @ the house). From there, lower string @ the end of the patio 2.5". That will give you 1.25% grade (or 1/8" per foot)
We have found it to be pretty good. If you buy a concrete edge from a Hardscape manufacturer, it is typically polymer modified with fibers in it so it holds up much better than just straight concrete
@@iamahardscaper thanks. By bonding that concrete to the edge blocks it will allow any transfer stress or movement of the concrete to the blocks. I am not a hardscaper but looking to do some DIY work and looking for the best process. As a mechanical engineer it seems like placing a vertical thin barrier between the concrete and that outer coarse of blocks would give the block the same lateral support and isolate the blocks from any vertical movement the concrete may encounter from both Mother Nature and also lawn tractors or even people walking on and off the patio. Does that make any sense? Would placing the plastic edging with the long nails against the blocks first and then putting the concrete over that and just below the top of the vertical surface of the plastic that supports the block be the best of both worlds? Something to think about I guess. Curious about your thoughts.
Awesome video! I’m going to be installing approximately 1 inch thick travertine pavers for a patio, and using 6” of base material. Which material do you recommend for the 1” setting course? Thank you.
It depends. If you are laying them tight with no joints, I might opt for a dense base with concrete sand. If you will have joints I may go open graded. Last week we had a series of 3 videos addressing each application
I have a 3/4 ton truck and am looking to build a 20x30ft driveway on sandy soil and I'm having trouble determining what type of paver to use that will both handle heavy rain and the weight of my truck. Do you have recommendations or examples of different driveway pavers in this type of situation?
It’s not so much about the paver. Any paver that is rated for driveways has an aspect ratio to withstand the traffic it will be under. Base preparation is key. Nonwoven fabric with a biaxial geogrid will help to distribute that load. Properly compacted. And a herringbone pattern provides the best interlock of any pattern. Hope that helps
Question. I’m expanding a 3yr old concrete paver patio I installed. 3/4minus base (six inches deep) and with sand as leveling layer. Jointing material is just sand. I’ve pulled out all the old pavers and treating the whole patio as “new”. The addition base and prep is the same as mentioned above . I’m about to the point lay pavers. I have all the old and new pavers I’ll be using. I’m going to use a sealer but feel I should pressure wash…especially the old pavers. When should I pressure wash? I almost feel I should sweep the sand into the joints, compact, then pressure wash, even though I’ll have to re-sand the joints. I’m worried about disturbing the base sand leveling layer leaving me with uneven pavers. Thanks for all the awesome videos
if you are just using loose sand for the joints, you would probably want to do it as you mentioned here. I can't say I have ever tried this though. Before we do sand the joints, if the pavers are muddy we will pressure wash them
Hi! so when you say you should dig 6-8 inches past the final paver, would that mean also laying the base and compacting 6-8 inches past that final paver, so if I'm doing a 10x10 patio I really want to excavate 10.5 x 10.5?
After pavers are and edge restraints are installed do you use the plate compactor prior to using polymeric sand . Or is the only compaction after pavers are installed done during polymeric install ? Thanks
If I'm doing a small walkway, not much traffic, 3feet by 20foot long, can I use a hand tamper to tamp down the 6inches of base? I will hand tamp each two inches, so three times
Thank you so much for your super helpful videos! at 20:38 you are talking about using normal sand instead of polymeric sand (and using a stabilizer) but I am at a loss as to what sand to use. The paver sand I used as a base seems a little moist, and I'm not sure it'd go well into the cracks. I saw other videos recommend 'fine, dry sweeping sand' but I can't find any anywhere. Can you recommend a kind of sand to use that is easily available?
if not using polymeric sand, you should look for a jointing sand. The granules are a little more angular compared to regular sand. sweeping moist sand into the joints is too hard, you are better off spreading it out in the sun, letting it dry, and then sweeping it in.
Here is a video explaining which to use where: Woven vs Nonwoven Geotextile Fabric | Choosing the Correct Geotextile for Your Project ruclips.net/video/v8cqR6nXjXs/видео.html
If I use 3/4" gravel for my base, what is better to use as bedding? Synthetic paver base or HPB? (Pathway in a slope, not a driveway) Also why were you wetting the pavers after putting them down (around min 16:40) Not sure if you explained that or I keep missing it.
Synthetic wouldn’t replace the bedding material. You’d still need to level HPB and then install the synthetic. If you already have a base installed there is no need to use the panels. That is spraying the concrete slurry which is produced when cutting wet and will solidify on the pavers unless washed off
@@iamahardscaper What if you do not want grass to grow overtop of it. But want it to be more like a curb for maximum support. Thanks so much and have learned a lot from your channel.
We experience multiple freeze thaw cycles a year and clay soils, so we do a minimum of 12” of 3/4” minus or road base and a 1” bedding layer of concrete sand or HPB
Have patio concrete pads for posts. 27x27 inches. Need to lay pavers around them. Do you have any idea how or reference guide. Using permeable pavers. Maybe using traffic rated ones
I do not quite know what you are explaining. But for paving around posts, we just lay as close as we can to the posts and then lay a border paver around the posts, draw our lines, and cut the border in.
Is there an alternative to using a vibrating plate compactor with polymeric sand to finalize the consolidation of the pavers ? Is there a manual way of doing something equivalent ?
You can try a hand tamper, though it will take a lot of time and you will still need a protective layer between the tamper and pavers. Taping a piece of carpet or something onto the hand tamper would work. You will have to complete multiple passes with it as well to ensure the sand has made its way to the bottom of the joint.
It just depends on what your string line is referencing. If it is top of paver, then no. You would want to measure down from the string line at the height of your paver plus the 1" screed layer to get the base height.
Hi I am trying to do just a small 4'x8' walkway. There is no room for heavy equipment bc of shrubs & landscaping so how would I do it 🤔 Talk to me like I'm 5 bc I cut hair I'm not a landscaper lol plz & ty!
You would just had dig it. Still make sure that the bottom of the excavation is smooth following the slope of the patio. Use the synthetic base panels from this video because it will save you in excavation. Compact the excavated area, lay nonwoven geotextile, screed a leveling layer of 1/4” chip or concrete sand, lay the panels, then pavers, polymeric sand, done 👍
Is 3/4" clear the same as 2B limestone? And is 1/4 the same thing as a 1b limestone? No one around here sells anything by the names all the landscaping channels mention.
Yeah it’s too difficult to say with all the different names. I’d try to see it in person to see if it looks like a 3/4” crushed stone with no sand or round stones. Same thing with the 1/4”
@@iamahardscaper They say its from 3/4 to 1-1/2 on the landscaping sites that sell it and I dont see any other options. Does your 3/4 clear typically have 3/4 and a bit bigger or is it 3/4 max?
So detailed that I stopped following it. How many layers you put on? I want to do driveway and fix my pavers my self. I wanna try if I screw up I will hire professional. Can you please provide some details.
I’d watch this video. It provides a few different options and applications. But being in Tampa you likely only have access to dense graded base. Best Base for Pavers | 4 Base Preparation Methods with Different Applications ruclips.net/video/Zn8eODTY-QI/видео.html
Ok, so, I've been on your website and I've been researching this stuff for a while now. When you are creating grade is it just for the subsoil and then you fill everything level, or is it supposed to follow grade for each of the separate materials? In other words do the pavers themselves have a 1/8" over 8 ft slope on the very top level or is it just the grade of the subsoil, so water infiltrates down to barrier and then drains against the subsoil? I've been confused on this for a while, as everyone talks about leveling the patio. My thought is if we want water to drain a certain direction wouldn't everything stay sloped slightly?
Yes, everything sloped at a minimum 1/8” per foot. Over 8’ is 1” drop. That is sub soil, to base, to bedding layer, to pavers. People do say leveling the patio, but that is essentially getting it to the level you want it, not referring to getting it to absolute level. If that makes sense. Thanks for checking out the website, hope it all helps 👍
@@iamahardscaper Last question, if you can help me out. If you want to use the woven fabric over the subsoil (afraid my subsoil isn't very strong) we need drainage you've mentioned. Do you have a form or video on what that looks like?
I do not right now, but I will have one sometime this season. Work to pitch the subsoil towards and drainage pipe which is lower in the subgrade and drain it away from foundations.
If you didn't level the pavers on top, any water/ rain that fell would either just stay on top or migrate towards a structure. You want the water to run away from any structure. Rain doesn't drain immediately when it falls on a finished patio.
Unfortunately I wouldn’t use these. 3/4 inch crushed is what is specified for the base of interlock. 3/8” minus has several negative consequences of using as well because of the poor drainage of it.
@@iamahardscaper how about 3/8 chip? or is that too large? in my area they call what you are referring to as A gravel Crusher Run. Interesting how different areas use different lingo
Yeah we call it A Gravel, Granular A, 3/4" minus, so many names for it. You can use that as the base or just 3/4" angular crushed clear stone with no fines. 3/8" or 1/4" chip is comparable to High Performance Bedding / HPB. No fines in it and allows for drainage. We use this as the bedding layer for our projects instead of Concrete Sand.
My backyard has a retaining wall. The walls are not square so there are some gaps. What do you reccomend filling those gaps when I start laying pavers?
If I am picturing it correctly, it would be a small strip of concrete along the patio and wall. It will crack. I would just run my patio up to the wall and do a border along the wall following its unsquareness.
I've gotten about 10 estimates for a patio and they all have different methods to install. It's driving me nuts. Some say 4in RCA, some say 6. Some say poured concrete Some say sand. Some say no sand. Any idea what it should be in the northeast US? (NY)
Definitely not less than 6”. The applications just depends on the contractor. I personally don’t like to pour concrete and lay on top of it. It’s an extra costly step and you wouldn’t want a contractor skimping on the base under the concrete. I prefer open graded base instead of RCA which is a 3/4” clear stone for the base that has no fines or sand in it.
Im a general builder of 35 years and this is the most definitive and comprehensive guide to Pavers Ive seen so far on YT. Great job guys.
I appreciate that! 👍
For real! I worked construction for 10 years as a fire sprinkler pipe fitter and am now a firefighter. This is the first video out of MANY that ACTUALLY explains the thinking and proper process of doing this job. All the other videos have been so vague. Thank you!
Hi there I love this video! I’m laying a patio in Fl ,sandy sub base and doing 6” base, once I compact my sub base soil,do I then put my geotextile fabric then over that the 3/4 rock or the A gravel, then the 1” HBB( 1/4” clear stone). There’s only one layer of geotextile fabric and that’s over the subsoil correct? Thank you😅
finally someone on youtube with an in depth and easy to understand guide on how to intall a paver patio! This needs way more views
I appreciate that!
WHy does this video NOT have more views?? THIS INFORMATION IS INVALUABLE... I've watched over 130 youtube videos on laying pavers etc.. and NO ONE has covered this information !! what do with clay?? how to know what 1000 lbs of compacting does ( 1 inch at a time) .. all kinds of GREAT INFO I haven't heard of yet !!!!
this video is full of little tib bits to make your job so much easier. but knowing what to do and when to do it..
Thank you for watching and commenting! Really appreciate that!
I am replacing some asphalt from my driveway and replacing it with pavers. This video is the best that I have seen. I will be using your method. Thanks for sharing.👍👍🍁
Glad it helps!
great work man. you are very thorough. one of most detailed prep videos ive watched.i would definitely hire you if you were in my local area.
I appreciate that!
Just started in this trade last summer. This winter I was able to borrow and read the ICPI concrete paver installer textbook. Your channel has really helped sink it all in for me.
Amazing to hear! Thank you for watching. We also have resources on our website and courses open to members to help further 👍
Great video! Very informative and detailed. I’m just about done excavating for my patio project. Thanks for the great tips. You and The Christian Hardscaper are my favorite paver channels.
Hey thanks a lot!
Incredibly executed video! Loved your use of diagrams and showing the measurements on the screen. Very comprehensive. Great job!
Really appreciate that!
i have been seen more than 20 video's of how to install paver & today i found this video & i was amazed of such a level of detail & good explanation of how to do a good job installing pavers im glad i found this video & i whish i had found it early so i don't have to watched the other videos. Great !!! JOB on making this video. thank you !!!
Thank you so much! Glad it helps!
I didn't know about the draining system. That's a game changer.
👍👍
This video is money! I’m doing a home project and this really helped clarify everything.
Glad it helps!
Another great video! Would like to see a dedicated hardscaper instructional on paver cleaning, sealing application, efflorescence, resanding, power wash and do's/don'ts.
Will do! Thank you for the suggestions. We do have an efflorescence video. And there is a resanding / power wash video in there somewhere. But definitely need a cleaning and sealing video, just been a while since I've done that.
Wow, really comprehensive and step-by-step! Thanks!
Thank you!
I'm in heavy clay, you could dang near call woopie to make a ghost vase. I almost laid down 6" of 3/4 tb. I'm glad I watched this first. Looks like I need to dig more clay too.
Haha yeah we’ve got a lot of that clay here as well
Dude, love your name! Jealous of your good grade! They cut mine 7 inches down and leveled around to a valley and left me with a mound of dirt, 3 inches around and I'm out of dirt... first time, wish me luck!
Ah man even the last name 👍
Hands down the best landscape tutorial I've seen on RUclips. Thank-you
Thank you!
Yes. I have a landscape company in canada and the videos are detailed and well instructed make more on pavers and retaining walls stairs raised patios. Where are you located im in a heavy clay area in norther ontario
Thank you! Definitely got much more to come along those lines. I appreciate the suggestions. Heavy clay here in Toronto 👍
Thank you for the insight. Very thorough with your description. Very good work. ✌️
Thank you!
Unreal detail, thank you so much.
👍
Awesome video thanks for all the information and sharing your knowledge 👍🙏
Thank you!
Awesome content! Thank you so much for making your vids.
Thank you for watching and commenting!
This was a fantastic video. One of the best you’ll find. Comprehensive, but breaks it down for the beginner to the pro. Thank you!!
Really appreciate that!
I have learnt a lot I hope I'll do it one day
Glad it helped 👍
Great video, with such detail. I learned so much, making my interlocking project much more manageable!
Glad it has helped!
I thought clay compaction or soil compaction should not be done first as it will prevent drainage.
The ChristianHardscaper recommends compacting a thin layer of 3/4” clean stone into the clay for drainage first.
Any thoughts on this?
If you are installing a permeable application then you should not compact it. But if you are installing another application and you are dealing with clay it’s not a big deal because that clay is not going to drain freely anyways. We always compact 3/4” clean into the clay and if it is saturated we throw down some sprinkling of Portland cement as well
@@iamahardscaper thanks for clarifying
Thanks man I’m 19 learning to be a landscape contractor/project manager this was perfectly explained 👌🏽👍🏽
Thank you for watching!
These guys are pros !!!👍Check this video out if you’re doing this type of work… Great job guys keep it up👍👍🇨🇦
Really appreciate that! 👍👍
Excellent knowledge resource
Thank you!
what an amazing video..... nice job.... subscribed
Thank you 🙏
Wow I learned a lot here. Thank you.
Thank you!
Amazing job !!! But extremely expensive!
Thank you! When done right, it is well worth it 👍
Hi! Thank You so much for such valuable info.! When laying the pavers against wall of the house, do you place them right next to the wall ? Or do you leave a small gap to be filled with polymeric sand?
The pavers themselves should have built in bumps that naturally creates a gap. Though I still usually still add 1/8” to 1/4” gap as well when up against a foundation.
Fantastic detail, thanks! Around 15:30 you say to fill around where the screed pipes have left indents - I presumed that meant you removed the screed pipes? But then in the scene starting around 16:07, you're laying the pavers and it's clear that some screed pipes have been left intact. Is that only because there's further screeding still to be done (off to the right of the scene)? Thanks
Yes, one of the screed bars are still there for some more screeding to be done. The one to the left is removed because that side is done.
Super informative video! ❤
Thank you!
Hi mate any chance you can do a video on limestone blocks? Just started landscaping/hardscaping and we are doing a lot of single course limestone block work, either as a retaining wall or bordering for sand pits. I can't help but think there's an easier/faster/better way than the way I've been taught currently.
At the moment we're digging, laying a quickset concrete footing and roughly levelling that. then we're putting about 40mm of mortar on the bottom and placing the block, and levelling the blocks in the mortar with either wedges or mallet. then mortaring between the gaps of the wall.
most videos of retaining walls I see seem to have no mortar on the bottom and just level/compact with road base.
Nothing with natural stone unfortunately. Only with Segmental Retaining Wall units:
ruclips.net/video/u8Kwc_1fPdw/видео.html
Thank you for your videos, one of the best I like to watch regarding patios. I have an "L" shaped patio with retaining walls (I live in a condo). I understand the slope i need to have away from my house but what about from the retaining walls? We do not have any drains systems in place unfortunately.
Or should I say they are the wall that separate our property from our neighbors. Not sure is that's the same as a retaining wall.
You would have to capture that water and exit it out of the area. This would be something like a channel drain that is added with a pipe that will take that water out of the area.
@@iamahardscaper thank you for taking the time out to respond. I appreciate the advice!
Excellent. Thanks!✌️
No problem 👍
Great video, I like the preparation steps and diffrent options for grading .. Do you do professional service too ..? Where can I lease compactor ..
I run a Hardscape business. Leasing a compactor I don’t know. If you mean renting there should be a construction rental place near you.
Awesome video. Do you have one on how you built the steps at the end of this video?
Thank you! Yeah we have a video on building a single step and then we have our latest videos which are covering a project we are doing building multiple steps at the side of a house.
Thank you for your reply. Really appreciate that. When using the synthetic panels, does the polymer sand ever work its way under the pavers during the compaction process? Just trying to make sure I don’t over compact if there is such a thing with the synthetic panels. Thank you much!
Can you or do you have an in depth video on laying the paver pattern and border in order to get even cuts on corners and areas that need cuts. I've heard the term paver perfect meaning to map out your cuts to make less cuts but also even cuts like on each end of a driveway etc.
I don’t, but that would be a good video. We do have a video on cutting coping for a pool which covers cutting on corners. Start with laying your corners and those cuts, then work your way out when it comes to the borders.
Thanks for the great video. Is there a reason why you don’t use sand for the 1” bedding layer?
I prefer 1/4" clear because we try to do open graded base or synthetic bases for each install. Can't use sand for those applications (you can use it for synthetic base, but it is not the best).
Great video!! Very informative 👍👍
Really appreciate that!
Freak'in Great information, thank you.
Thank you!
Hi, what should be considered if the yard slopes toward the house?
Retaining wall at the back of the yard to allow you to lay a patio at the elevation that you want it to be at.
very good job
Thank you!
Do we need to stamp the screeds before laying down the stone? Also along the fence how can we do it in such away that it is tight to the fence? Do we need to add the plastic edge restraints along the fence?
You don't need to compact the screed layer, that comes when compacting the pavers.
Here is a way you can do it along the fence to get it tight:
ruclips.net/video/IsWlyf578pE/видео.htmlsi=zN4l01KC9uHoVHOY&t=598
Great video! How do you get the stones to stick to the ground (at 15:36)? The polymeric sand goes in the joints, but is there anything under the stones that needs to be applied to glue it?
Thank you! Nope, nothing else necessary. The jointing compound locks in the pavers.
Thank you for video
Thank you for watching!
Thank you
no problem! hope it helps!
I realize you’re in a moist climate, but wondering if you have tips for hardscaping in places like Las Vegas or Phoenix?
Your base wouldn’t need to be as deep. But everything else applies the same. I’d reach out to a local stone supplier to see what materials they recommend in the installation where you are located.
Hi! Great videos! I have a question for you. What would he the recommended base laters for a hotter climate (Caribbean) where we don’t get the freeze frost cycles?
I know in the southern states they go as low as 4” of compacted base material. Can’t speak for the Caribbean
How do you feel about building an outdoor kitchen (mini creta) on top of the paver (blu 60)? This would give the inside a finished bottom.
no, it would be best to build it on a concrete slab with concrete piers. There are also wall base units some people have used.
In a open graded system, where do you place the perforated pipes for water drainage? Also, how much effective space does a pipe cover for draining purposes; do I need multiple pipes throughout my system?
If you are concerned about the infiltration rate of your subsoil (clay), then you can dig your subsoil sloping to the middle of the project or to one end of the project and have a trench there to then lay your perforated pipe into and carry it out of the project. This is a little more complicated though deciding how many pipes and where to place them if your patio is irregular. If it is a simple square shape I would just slope it to one side and into a French drain.
Some people don't even bother with the drain especially if they are using polymeric sand as their jointing compound.
Wonderful info man. Excellent content. Do you recommend paver base for cold climates or traditional A1 or clear base
Depends on the application. Where I can, I will use the paver base panels
@@iamahardscaper : many thanks.
hi, when the line is sloping down away from the house should the top of the paver be at the same height of the line when it’s sloping down? i’m still kind of lost on the sloping if you don’t mind helping. Thanks 😎 i love the vid btw
The line can represent anything you want it to. I use it for top of paver. And the measure down from that line to guide my excavation, base preparation, and bedding.
For example- if your patio is 20' long, 1/8" fall = 2.5" total.
Start by setting your string level (starting with your desired height @ the house). From there, lower string @ the end of the patio 2.5".
That will give you 1.25% grade (or 1/8" per foot)
Great content. Can that vacuum paver tool be rented? If so, what's it called?
You'd likely have to call around to see if they have it. This one is by MQuip.
good video
Thank you!
How well does the concrete edge restraint hold up in northern climates? It seems like it would break apart after a few cycles?
We have found it to be pretty good. If you buy a concrete edge from a Hardscape manufacturer, it is typically polymer modified with fibers in it so it holds up much better than just straight concrete
@@iamahardscaper thanks. By bonding that concrete to the edge blocks it will allow any transfer stress or movement of the concrete to the blocks. I am not a hardscaper but looking to do some DIY work and looking for the best process. As a mechanical engineer it seems like placing a vertical thin barrier between the concrete and that outer coarse of blocks would give the block the same lateral support and isolate the blocks from any vertical movement the concrete may encounter from both Mother Nature and also lawn tractors or even people walking on and off the patio.
Does that make any sense? Would placing the plastic edging with the long nails against the blocks first and then putting the concrete over that and just below the top of the vertical surface of the plastic that supports the block be the best of both worlds? Something to think about I guess. Curious about your thoughts.
I think that is overkill for no reason. Like putting pavers on top of pavers because it would displace the load better. Just my thought on it.
Thanks for info
Thank you for watching!
Thanks
Thank you!
Awesome video! I’m going to be installing approximately 1 inch thick travertine pavers for a patio, and using 6” of base material. Which material do you recommend for the 1” setting course? Thank you.
It depends. If you are laying them tight with no joints, I might opt for a dense base with concrete sand. If you will have joints I may go open graded. Last week we had a series of 3 videos addressing each application
@@iamahardscaper I’m working my way through your videos. Thanks for the prompt response
Thank you for watching and commenting!
I have a 3/4 ton truck and am looking to build a 20x30ft driveway on sandy soil and I'm having trouble determining what type of paver to use that will both handle heavy rain and the weight of my truck. Do you have recommendations or examples of different driveway pavers in this type of situation?
It’s not so much about the paver. Any paver that is rated for driveways has an aspect ratio to withstand the traffic it will be under. Base preparation is key. Nonwoven fabric with a biaxial geogrid will help to distribute that load. Properly compacted. And a herringbone pattern provides the best interlock of any pattern. Hope that helps
Question. I’m expanding a 3yr old concrete paver patio I installed. 3/4minus base (six inches deep) and with sand as leveling layer. Jointing material is just sand. I’ve pulled out all the old pavers and treating the whole patio as “new”. The addition base and prep is the same as mentioned above . I’m about to the point lay pavers. I have all the old and new pavers I’ll be using. I’m going to use a sealer but feel I should pressure wash…especially the old pavers. When should I pressure wash? I almost feel I should sweep the sand into the joints, compact, then pressure wash, even though I’ll have to re-sand the joints. I’m worried about disturbing the base sand leveling layer leaving me with uneven pavers. Thanks for all the awesome videos
if you are just using loose sand for the joints, you would probably want to do it as you mentioned here. I can't say I have ever tried this though. Before we do sand the joints, if the pavers are muddy we will pressure wash them
@@iamahardscaper thanks!
Hi! so when you say you should dig 6-8 inches past the final paver, would that mean also laying the base and compacting 6-8 inches past that final paver, so if I'm doing a 10x10 patio I really want to excavate 10.5 x 10.5?
That is correct. That area is for your edge restraint and a little bit beyond so you need to prepare your base.
Can you do a video with using manual tools to doing pavers Without big tools like excavator.
Check out our video on Using Paver Base Panels. And yes, we will have more!
After pavers are and edge restraints are installed do you use the plate compactor prior to using polymeric sand . Or is the only compaction after pavers are installed done during polymeric install ? Thanks
After the installation of polymeric sand 👍
I really want to learn all about pavers
We have a members only space with several courses. Check the link in the description 👍
If I'm doing a small walkway, not much traffic, 3feet by 20foot long, can I use a hand tamper to tamp down the 6inches of base? I will hand tamp each two inches, so three times
I wouldn’t. Mechanical compaction is always better
Thank you so much for your super helpful videos! at 20:38 you are talking about using normal sand instead of polymeric sand (and using a stabilizer) but I am at a loss as to what sand to use. The paver sand I used as a base seems a little moist, and I'm not sure it'd go well into the cracks. I saw other videos recommend 'fine, dry sweeping sand' but I can't find any anywhere. Can you recommend a kind of sand to use that is easily available?
if not using polymeric sand, you should look for a jointing sand. The granules are a little more angular compared to regular sand. sweeping moist sand into the joints is too hard, you are better off spreading it out in the sun, letting it dry, and then sweeping it in.
@@iamahardscaper Thank you for your quick reply!!!
Do you use nothing but a 1” HPB layer for synthetic base on grade? Or is it still necessary to lay down geotextile and geogrid?
Need to have nonwoven geotextile, then HPB 1”, before laying panels
Can you please tell us which geotextile did you use?
Here is a video explaining which to use where:
Woven vs Nonwoven Geotextile Fabric | Choosing the Correct Geotextile for Your Project
ruclips.net/video/v8cqR6nXjXs/видео.html
If I use 3/4" gravel for my base, what is better to use as bedding? Synthetic paver base or HPB? (Pathway in a slope, not a driveway) Also why were you wetting the pavers after putting them down (around min 16:40) Not sure if you explained that or I keep missing it.
Synthetic wouldn’t replace the bedding material. You’d still need to level HPB and then install the synthetic. If you already have a base installed there is no need to use the panels. That is spraying the concrete slurry which is produced when cutting wet and will solidify on the pavers unless washed off
@@iamahardscaper thank you
Soooo much info 👍👍👍👍
Glad it was helpful!
Is there any downside to having the concrete edging come higher than 1 inch up on the paver?
Grass may not be able to grow properly overtop of it
@@iamahardscaper What if you do not want grass to grow overtop of it. But want it to be more like a curb for maximum support. Thanks so much and have learned a lot from your channel.
Can we add wet look sealer on the top of pavers ?
for sure you can
Hey there, question, is 6 inch base good enough for a planter boarder to grass? Thanks!
6 inch in depth is good for a freeze thaw climates 👍
Is it necessary to use geotextile fabric on a 2' wide sidewalk?
I would use geotextile under any project
What foundations you need to put under pavers for driveway
We experience multiple freeze thaw cycles a year and clay soils, so we do a minimum of 12” of 3/4” minus or road base and a 1” bedding layer of concrete sand or HPB
Have patio concrete pads for posts. 27x27 inches. Need to lay pavers around them. Do you have any idea how or reference guide. Using permeable pavers. Maybe using traffic rated ones
I do not quite know what you are explaining. But for paving around posts, we just lay as close as we can to the posts and then lay a border paver around the posts, draw our lines, and cut the border in.
Instead of a 4x4 post imagine a 27wx27l posts. How would you arrange a permeable paver pattern around that size post??
Is there an alternative to using a vibrating plate compactor with polymeric sand to finalize the consolidation of the pavers ? Is there a manual way of doing something equivalent ?
You can try a hand tamper, though it will take a lot of time and you will still need a protective layer between the tamper and pavers. Taping a piece of carpet or something onto the hand tamper would work. You will have to complete multiple passes with it as well to ensure the sand has made its way to the bottom of the joint.
Once you get the grade right do you fill the base up to the string line?
It just depends on what your string line is referencing. If it is top of paver, then no. You would want to measure down from the string line at the height of your paver plus the 1" screed layer to get the base height.
@@iamahardscaper gotcha now the horizontal string line needs to be even with the vertical string line at leveled but not sloped correct?
This video may help you a lot with string lines:
ruclips.net/video/cQ0OesQ44n0/видео.html
I do my bases down to the frost line
4 feet?? 😮
Sure you do! 😀
where do you get those anchor screws?
Anyone that sells Gator Base should also sell the screws. You can also find them on Amazon in the states if you search alliance Gator base screws
Hi I am trying to do just a small 4'x8' walkway. There is no room for heavy equipment bc of shrubs & landscaping so how would I do it 🤔 Talk to me like I'm 5 bc I cut hair I'm not a landscaper lol plz & ty!
You would just had dig it. Still make sure that the bottom of the excavation is smooth following the slope of the patio. Use the synthetic base panels from this video because it will save you in excavation. Compact the excavated area, lay nonwoven geotextile, screed a leveling layer of 1/4” chip or concrete sand, lay the panels, then pavers, polymeric sand, done 👍
Omg thanks so very much!!! I think I've got it!! Really quick, if the pavers are, say, 2" thick, how far down I dig?? Thank you thank you 🥰
Is 3/4" clear the same as 2B limestone? And is 1/4 the same thing as a 1b limestone? No one around here sells anything by the names all the landscaping channels mention.
Yeah it’s too difficult to say with all the different names. I’d try to see it in person to see if it looks like a 3/4” crushed stone with no sand or round stones. Same thing with the 1/4”
@@iamahardscaper They say its from 3/4 to 1-1/2 on the landscaping sites that sell it and I dont see any other options. Does your 3/4 clear typically have 3/4 and a bit bigger or is it 3/4 max?
and the B gravels are all clear and As have the fines. Lowes wants to sell me a gravel that looks like a 1a or b and then sand to put on top of that.
So detailed that I stopped following it. How many layers you put on? I want to do driveway and fix my pavers my self. I wanna try if I screw up I will hire professional. Can you please provide some details.
Layers? Like in the base?
@@iamahardscaper yes please
Geotextile, your base material, the bedding layer, and then your pavers
I have a project im looking at, I have alarge patio im wanting to do in pavers. It is now just an ugly concrete slab, what would my base be for that?
in Tampa. so rain is a consideration, a few low spots but not bad, most water runs off, just a few small areas that retain.
I’d watch this video. It provides a few different options and applications. But being in Tampa you likely only have access to dense graded base.
Best Base for Pavers | 4 Base Preparation Methods with Different Applications
ruclips.net/video/Zn8eODTY-QI/видео.html
@@iamahardscaper thanks for the quick reply, and the link! Ill watch it now. More questions later :)
bring them on 👍
is that 5xt biaxial grid?
i believe it is. but we use what our supplier stocks
Where can I get the pavers?
Search for a landscape supplier near you, they will have a selection
good👍🇮🇩
Thank you!
Ok, so, I've been on your website and I've been researching this stuff for a while now. When you are creating grade is it just for the subsoil and then you fill everything level, or is it supposed to follow grade for each of the separate materials? In other words do the pavers themselves have a 1/8" over 8 ft slope on the very top level or is it just the grade of the subsoil, so water infiltrates down to barrier and then drains against the subsoil? I've been confused on this for a while, as everyone talks about leveling the patio. My thought is if we want water to drain a certain direction wouldn't everything stay sloped slightly?
Yes, everything sloped at a minimum 1/8” per foot. Over 8’ is 1” drop. That is sub soil, to base, to bedding layer, to pavers.
People do say leveling the patio, but that is essentially getting it to the level you want it, not referring to getting it to absolute level. If that makes sense.
Thanks for checking out the website, hope it all helps 👍
@@iamahardscaper Last question, if you can help me out. If you want to use the woven fabric over the subsoil (afraid my subsoil isn't very strong) we need drainage you've mentioned. Do you have a form or video on what that looks like?
I do not right now, but I will have one sometime this season. Work to pitch the subsoil towards and drainage pipe which is lower in the subgrade and drain it away from foundations.
@@iamahardscaper Yeah, that's the plan. Thanks again. Really appreciate it.
If you didn't level the pavers on top, any water/ rain that fell would either just stay on top or migrate towards a structure. You want the water to run away from any structure. Rain doesn't drain immediately when it falls on a finished patio.
Where in Canada are u?
Toronto
My supplier only carries 1 1/2 crushed and then 3/8 minus will this work?
Unfortunately I wouldn’t use these. 3/4 inch crushed is what is specified for the base of interlock. 3/8” minus has several negative consequences of using as well because of the poor drainage of it.
@@iamahardscaper how about 3/8 chip? or is that too large? in my area they call what you are referring to as A gravel Crusher Run. Interesting how different areas use different lingo
Yeah we call it A Gravel, Granular A, 3/4" minus, so many names for it. You can use that as the base or just 3/4" angular crushed clear stone with no fines. 3/8" or 1/4" chip is comparable to High Performance Bedding / HPB. No fines in it and allows for drainage. We use this as the bedding layer for our projects instead of Concrete Sand.
@@iamahardscaper Thanks for the knowledge sir
No problem!
My backyard has a retaining wall. The walls are not square so there are some gaps. What do you reccomend filling those gaps when I start laying pavers?
You can either use the same thing you will use for the joints of the pavers or stay a few inches or so away from it and install decorative aggregate.
@@iamahardscaper I had a guy look at it that does pavers and he said fill with concrete. In my opinion it wouldn't look good.
Oh no, I wouldn’t do that
@@iamahardscaper He reccomend concrete. Why wouldn't you do that?
If I am picturing it correctly, it would be a small strip of concrete along the patio and wall. It will crack. I would just run my patio up to the wall and do a border along the wall following its unsquareness.
❤❤❤❤❤❤
👍👍
are you ICPI cert?
I am not
I've gotten about 10 estimates for a patio and they all have different methods to install. It's driving me nuts. Some say 4in RCA, some say 6. Some say poured concrete Some say sand. Some say no sand. Any idea what it should be in the northeast US? (NY)
Definitely not less than 6”. The applications just depends on the contractor. I personally don’t like to pour concrete and lay on top of it. It’s an extra costly step and you wouldn’t want a contractor skimping on the base under the concrete. I prefer open graded base instead of RCA which is a 3/4” clear stone for the base that has no fines or sand in it.
Do you have an email I can send you some pictures of my project. I need some advice.
howtohardscape@gmail.com
7:17 RIP Rake
😂
Yay Gatorboard
👍👍