Here at Jack's Garden Rescue, we're proud to offer lifetime warranties on all of our paver and block wall installations. By employing the current best practices, we harness the full potential of the products we use. Below, we will go step-by-step through a typical patio installation process and discuss the methods used.
Step 1: Layout and site prep
We begin by confirming the patio boundaries with the client. At this time, the client can also bring up any other considerations/concerns that they may have. Next, we layout string lines to make sure the patio is square and sloping away from any structures. In the photo below, you can see the client has flagged a new utility.
Step 2: Excavation and sub-base compaction
Now that we've setup our string lines and know where we want the surface of the new patio to be, we can accurately excavate to the correct depth. We to remove any topsoil with organic matter and enough sub-soil to allow for the 6 total inches of base gravel (5"of base gravel, 1" of screed gravel). After confirming that enough material has been removed, the soil is mechanically compacted to ensure that there are no pockets of air or unstable soil.
Step 3: Geo-textile seperation fabric
The next step is to install a layer of woven heavy-duty geo-textile fabric. This stops any soil from mingling with the base gravel and also acts as additional stabilization for the patio. Imagine a snowshoe; if there are any slightly weak areas of soil, the fabric will help distribute the load over a larger area increasing floatation.
Step 4: Base gravel
Now we're ready to install our 5"of crushed gravel base. The base gravel is installed in 2" lifts that are mechanically compacted as we go to ensure adequate compaction. A well compacted base of gravel provides the majority of a sturdy patio's longevity so we take our time to ensure proper compaction. String lines are referenced as we go to ensure that the base is rising at the correct grade/height.
Step 5: Screed gravel layer
The screeds layer of gravel is what gives us a perfectly pitched smooth surface upon which we can install our pavers. We use a fine chip-gravel that resists wash-out better than sand. The long lines you see are from the steel bars we use to lay the gravel out smoothly. Once a screed layer is added, nobody steps foot on it. As pavers at laid, the screed bar lines are filled with chip gravel.
Step 6: Paver installation
Now the fun part! We lay the pavers in the pattern requested by the customer. Once all of the whole pavers are laid, partial pavers are measured and cut to ensure a perfect fit. All pavers are set with a rubber mallet and made flush with the pavers adjacent to create a perfectly flat surface.
Step 7: Edge restraints, joint sand, sealant and grading.
After all pavers have been installed, edge restraints are installed to ensure that the pavers don't shift laterally over time. This project has black HDPE plastic edging secured with 8" landscape spikes every 12". Troweled concrete can also be used as an edge restraint. Next, joint sand is swept into paver joints and sealant is applied if the client elects to do so. Soil is then added back around the patio's edges to create a smooth transition between the different surfaces. Finally, grass seed, decorative rock or mulch is installed to give the final product a fully-polished look. Every job site is always thoroughly cleaned before leaving.
Comments