Hey everyone! I'm planning to convert my mulch bed into a nice patio area with pavers. I want to remove a couple of bushes, take out some mulch, then layer in sand, pack it down, and finally add the pavers and fill the joints with paver sand. I know I need to angle it away from the house, but I'm looking for any good step-by-step guides that can help me with this process. Any suggestions?
3 Answers
YouTube is full of handy guides! I’ve done this professionally, and here’s a quick overview: First, determine the height of your finished patio and set grade stakes. Next, excavate to the right depth (consider adding space for bedding material and a stable base). Compact your sub-base really well, add a geo-textile barrier, and build up your base materials in lifts. After that, you can lay your pavers starting from a corner. Finish with a retention edge and add sand to fill the joints. Remember to clean off any excess sand afterwards!
Ideally, removing most of the mulch is best for a firm base. If it’s really deep, clear out a good portion (aim for about 4" of compacted sand) to ensure a solid foundation.
Check out ICPI.org; it's a great resource with tons of info on paver installations. Also, Techo-Bloc has an awesome Tech Spec book that outlines the installation process. Just remember, whether it’s Techo or Belgard, the steps are pretty much the same! They used to have excellent instructional videos, so it’s worth a look.
If you're after a detailed standard guide, check out "Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture." It’s comprehensive but might require some patience! No need to read 932 pages; just find the relevant sections that pertain to your DIY project!
Haha, I appreciate the suggestion but that sounds like a major time commitment. I think I’ll stick with visual guides for now!
Thanks for this breakdown! I find a lot of videos skip those initial steps, so this is super helpful. Quick question: if I’ve got about 10" of mulch to remove, do I need to take it all out or can I leave some to create a compacted base?