Step 1: Preparing the area to be
paved
Prior
to being permanently fixed, we recommend that the pavers are dry laid, especially
with the circles & features. This is to help ensure that your patio will
fit in the desired location and avoid the need for cutting around after fixing.
Step 2: Preparing the sub-base
It is necessary to prepare a firm and level base. You should remove soil in the
location to be paved, then lay a sub-base with the thickness of not less than
75mm. The sub-base should be well compacted by a roller or tamper. Leave a fall
of at least 1:100 (1 centimetre in every metre) away from any adjoining
building to allow surface water to drain. If paving is being laid next to the
house, the top surface of the paving should lay at least 150m below the
damp-proof course.
Step 3: Laying Course Mix
Note
that pavers should be laid on a complete flat mortar bed, on top of the
sub-base. Mix 1 part cement to 6 parts of sand and a small amount of water. The
mortar can be mixed in a small concrete mixer, a wheel barrow or on a large
flat mixing board. Enough water should be added to allow the sand and cement to
be thoroughly mixed and "workable". Care should be taken not to add
too much water as this will weaken the mix and make it difficult to level the
paving.
Step 4: Laying the Pavers
We
recommend a laying course thickness of 25-40mm. Enough mortar should be placed
to lay one slab at a time. For circles, octagons or feature kits, slabs should
be laid from the centre outwards. For random patios work from one corner
diagonally across to the opposite corner - peg in a string line around the edge
of the area first will help to ensure that the edges of the patio remain
straight. Each slab should be tamped down on the middle with a wooden or rubber
mallet. A spirit level should be used after each one is laid, to ensure that is
is level and ensure the joints are evenly spaced. Care should be taken to
immediately clean away any mortar on the face of the paving to prevent
staining. Once laid the paving should not bare any weight for at least 24
hours. In frosty or wet weather, cover the newly laid paving until the mortar
has set.
Step 5: Cutting
Cutting
should be carried out after the whole area has been laid and should be carried
out using a disc cutter. Slabs should be marked out prior to cutting. Care
should be taken in this step.
Step 6: Pointing
Pointing
should be carried out in dry conditions using a dry grout mix of 1 part cement
to 4 parts soft building sand. The grout should be trowelled or brushed into
the joints. The grout should then be pressed and smoothed into the gaps using a
pointing tool or rounded piece of wood. Excess mix should be swept away and
re-used. Care should be taken not to stain the slabs.
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