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  • 122 Hornby Road, Wilton 2571
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What you need to know before starting a paving project?

Making your next paving project efficient and successful involves some planning and preparation.

The following are a few things you need to keep in mind to ensure that everything goes smoothly to get you excellent results.

Paving project

The Tools You’ll Need

Before starting out on your landscaping paving project, ensure that you have the following materials:

    • Plate compactor – for leveling and smoothing the earth
    • Screeds – to flatten the paving sand
    • Screed rails – to guide your levels
    • Spirit level – to ensure that levels are correct
    • General gardening tools such as a rake, shovel, and mattock – for easy digging, clean up, or distribution uses
    •  White marking paint – to mark the area you’re going to pave
    •  Bucket and sponge – for cleaning
    • Rubber hammer – to strike your pavers down without damaging them
    • Hammer and bolster – to crack stones, blocks, or bricks
    • String line – to regulate paving machine height and grade steering
    •  Wood floats – to help you erase flaws and create smoother surfaces
    • Diamond brick blade saw – for cutting pavers
    •  Wheelbarrow – to carry soil, bricks, and other materials
    •  Tape measure
    • Safety gear such as gloves, glasses, knee pads, and earmuffs
    •  Cement mixer (optional)

Once you have these items you can now start preparing the base. While most of these are available at your gardening supply stores, you can rent some such as the plate compactor, the wheelbarrow, or the cement mixer.

Preparing the Base

Paving an unused region of your backyard begins with building a sound foundation. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get the job done smoothly:

    1. Measure the area you want to pave, then outline the edges using white marking paint to serve as a guide.
    2. Lay the road base in a series of mounds. Use a wheelbarrow to make it easier to spread evenly over the whole area.
    3. Using a shovel, spread the base, then level it with a rake. Use a tape measure to determine a depth of roughly 70mm.
    4. Dampen the foundation with a hose, then compact it using a plate compactor to lower its depth by around 10mm.
    5. Spread paving sand over the base in a series of mounds to ensure level distribution.
    6. Level the sand with a rake to leave a layer 20-30mm thick.
    7. Place screed rails on either side of the sand bed so that their surface is at the desired finishing level.
    8. Using a screed and a spirit level, level the sand layer. Work backward to avoid disturbing the completed surface.

Yard tip

One cubic metre of mulch covers roughly 13 square metres at 75mm deep. Measure your beds before you come in and we will get the quantity right first time.

How to Lay Your Pavers

Follow these simple steps to lay your pavers.

    1. Build a sand bed on top of your base. Add a layer of paver sand to your paver base. Smooth out the sand layer using a wooden float to create a flat surface.
    2. Lay your pavers and trim them as needed. Begin laying paver stones in the pattern of your choice. Cut your paver stones with a diamond brick blade saw to fill any gaps left along the side. Wear protective equipment such as gloves and safety glasses when cutting your pavers.
    3. You can now add your edge constraints to keep your pavers straight and separate them from the earth.
    4. Using your plate compactor, secure and push down the pavers into the sand bed.

How to Cut Pavers

When laying pavers, you will most likely need to cut some to fit the layout. Below is a guide to help you do it safely and efficiently:

    1. Using a ruler and chalk or pen, measure the brick paver and indicate where the brick should be cut.
    2. Wear safety goggles and a dust mask to protect yourself from flying debris and dust. You may set the brick on an additional stone-cutting surface and cut it effortlessly. Hold the paver securely in one hand, taking care not to let your fingers get in the way of the blade.
    3. Switch on the diamond-bladed saw. Slowly move the saw away from you in the other direction while cutting along the mark.
    4. Once you’ve completed cutting, turn off the saw and carefully inspect the brick, as you may need to sand or shape the edges.

How to Finish Your Paving

To finish off your paving project, do the following steps:

    1. Once the pavers are in place, apply a layer of paver sand (also called joint fill sand) to fill in the spaces between them. Sweep any remaining sand from the whole area.
    2. Once you’ve finished filling the gaps with sand, apply a paver sealant to your pavers to further secure them and keep them from slipping.

Whether you’re building a DIY patio, driveway, walkway, or pool deck, pavers are a simple method to simplify outdoor areas while also adding value. This guide is sure to help you get the job done efficiently.

Speak to the friendly staff at Wilton Landscape Supplies 4630 9401 regarding your paving project.

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