How to Install

Step 1: Planning

A good plan is essential to any paving project. Draw a diagram of the area you want to pave, noting any existing structures such as buildings, fences and the edge of the garden.

To ensure adequate drainage, you will want to slope the paving away from the buildings in the direction of normal drainage.

Step 2: Excavating

Prepare your area by removing existing driveway or garden for a patio. Excavate minimum of 250mm to allow for 150mm of hardcore, 50mm of sand and 50mm/60mm for your block paving. Soft ground may require a greater depth.

Step 3: Compact the Hardcore

Lay the hardcore to a minimum depth of 150mm. Laying the base outside the boundaries of the project will make your project more stable. Thoroughly compact the sub-base using a vibrating plate compactor. Ensure you don’t have any dips or bumps. It is essential that the base is well compacted and there are no soft spots. If any area is still soft, it should be dug out, removed, replaced with more hardcore and recompact.

Step 4: Installing the Edge Restraints

Edge restraints should be installed to ensure paving blocks remain firmly in place and prevent them from creeping sideways. They should be used on every side that is not supported by a solid structure. You can use PVC, aluminium, concrete or pressure-treated wood. Concrete kerbs are recommended because they are easy to install, are very durable and will accent your paving.

Step 5: Manhole Cover

If there is a manhole cover it must be set in place by using a mixture of sand and cement making sure it is as the correct height and fall. The manhole lid must be placed inside the outer frame to stop anyone from falling down the manhole.

Step 6: Setting the Sand

Before laying your paving, lay a 25mm-40mm bed of coarse grit sand to the entire area, 20mm higher than the finished height to allow for compacting. Level the sand to roughly the correct height and compact it using a vibrating plate. Screed the layer to the correct level. The paving block should be 5mm higher than the finished height to allow for the final compacting once all the block paving is in place.

Step 7: Laying Paving

Starting in a 90º corner, lay the bricks in the chosen pattern.Work outwards, keeping all joint lines straight. Periodically check alignment of the rows by stringing a line along the front edge of the leading row. Do not disturb the sand bed as this may cause the laying pattern to become distorted. To ensure an even

distribution of colour and texture, mix and lay blocks

from at least 3 packs of block paving. Install all full paving blocks before cutting in the edges.

Step 8: Cutting

Once alignment has been checked the edges can be cut in. Measure & mark blocks to be cut with a marking crayon. A diamond blade wet saw, paver splitter or hammer & chisel can be used to cut pavers. Always wear safety glasses.

Step 9: Compacting and Jointing

Sweep the surface to remove any debris. Spread Kiln-dried jointing sand over the paving, sweeping it into the joints, leaving surplus on top. Use a vibrating plate compactor to compact the paving bricks into the sand. The excess sand on the blocks will cushion the surface and the vibration will assist in filling the joints.

Step 10: Finishing

Sweep the remaining excess dry sand over the surface filling the joints and it is now ready to be used. As the jointing sand settles and the rain compacts it, it will require a top-up over the first few weeks.