7 Covered Patio Ideas The screeding will basically have already compacted the sand for you. Even though it sounds like it might be a good idea, you can’t just lay pavers on dirt or sand. Doing so will allow the pavers to move and not allow for proper drainage. You want your pavers to sit at or slightly above ground level. After you dig, use a hand tamper to compact the dirt and make a firm base. This step-by-step guide will make it easy to complete this outdoor project. Typically, pavers tend to be more expensive than concrete when it comes to patio installation. An important factor to keep in mind is long-term maintenance. Pavers can be easily (and cheaply) replaced without specialized equipment or skills, but concrete repairs are more involved (expensive). DIY Patio Ideas By aligning the edge of the end stones with this string, you'll ensure that your installation starts square. Once you’ve designed your paver patio, mark the area using stakes and string Click for more info or a garden hose to outline the shape. Be sure to consider any slope for water drainage, as you don’t want water pooling on your new patio. How to Build a Patio Contact Us Clear View Builders Email: info@clearviewbuildersinc.com Phone: +19164205862 4913 Rio Linda Blvd Sacramento, California, United States 95838 As a last resort, rent a large trash bin, at least 10 cu. Yds., and move the dirt into it with a wheelbarrow. Let the company know you’ll be filling it with dirt, though, because it’ll likely limit how much you can put in. This project is easy on beginners and leaves you with a sharp, stylish patio you'll be proud of. Between the stones, and check that the matching faces of the stones are flush and that the second stone is level with the first from side to side. Get inspired with these budget-friendly and creative DIY patio ideas. It’s also likely that one side of each paver will sink and your patio will be really wonky. Our new home has multiple outdoor spaces that are in need of repair. We plan to be here a long time, so it’s important we do it right when we makeover these outdoor areas. Although they can take a long time to grow, shade trees like maples are an excellent way of providing shade to your outdoor spaces. Once you have your design down and your materials ordered, it's helpful to dry lay your slabs out first to check that everything fits together seamlessly.As you add more stones, always make the edges meet flush and check the overall slope frequently, especially as you work farther from the house.This will help you calculate how many pavers and other materials you’ll need. The other is that since you can walk on the pavers as you place them, it will be much easier to get around the patio. You’ll be forced to work outside the patio the whole time if you level the entire space at once. You’ll also benefit by getting a second set of hands for this. Use a level to double check the slope angle that you set up based on your string lines. We built forms, ordered ready-mix concrete and poured the entire patio at once. If that’s too daunting, you can build one or two small form sections and pour them individually at a more leisurely pace. If you choose that route, consider buying a portable mixer and selling it when you’re done. You can grout the joints with either sand--which we used--or stone dust that's available from your stone dealer. Spread the material you choose over the patio and use a push broom to fill the joints. When you’re done setting bricks, run the compactor over them to settle them in and create a level surface and to embed them in the sand. Work in a circular pattern from the outside to the center. Keep the compactor moving to avoid breaking bricks or creating a low spot. If your stone is thick like ours, tamp it along with the bricks. Don’t tamp thinner stone (2 in. thick or less); it may break. With the border stones in place, it’s time to lay the bricks. Laying a patio requires both precision and patience, and each of the below steps will need to be completed in turn in order to achieve a professional finish. The delivery truck dumped the pea gravel onto my driveway in a giant heap. My dad and I then shoveled the pea gravel into a wheelbarrow, wheeled it to the patio area, dumped it, and spread it out. There are certainly fancier gravel types than the pea gravel I chose if your budget allows but I loved how the pea gravel felt under my feet.
