How to lay paving stones?

Basalt or granite blocks used for paving paths, sidewalks, pavements, garage entrances, and so on are called paving stones. The material is characterized by a long service life, easy cleaning and does not require special care. There are many different forms, types and shades of it, which allows not only to create comfortable conditions for movement, but also to form a unique style of the site. You can do this yourself if you know how to properly lay the paving stones.

Advantages

Let's list the main advantages of coatings from this popular material:

  • pleasant and aesthetic appearance;
  • no puddles, liquid seeps through the cracks between the bricks;
  • simple stacking technology;
  • if communications need to be repaired, the blocks can be removed and moved over again;
  • when heated, there is no release of harmful substances.

Laying method

The choice of a method for arranging a pavement pavement depends on the specific conditions and features of the site operation. There are three main options:

  • masonry on gravel and sand, as a rule, is used for footpaths;
  • for the construction of access roads and parking lots, blocks are placed on a base of crushed stone and cement-sand mortar;
  • if it is necessary to improve the area on which the passage of heavy vehicles is expected, it is necessary to prepare a concrete base.

Now let's take a closer look at how to lay paving stones in each of these cases.

Preparation and planning

For work you should prepare:

  • laser level or hydraulic levels 1 and 10 m;
  • wooden wedges and steel pins;
  • cord and tape measures 2 and 10 m;
  • trowel, rubber mallet and broom;
  • shovels, rakes, sieve and rammer;
  • clamp for fixing blocks during cutting;
  • a grinder with a diamond disc for stone;
  • crushed stone (gravel), sand and cement;
  • Solution container.

If you plan to arrange the territory for heavy equipment, you additionally need to stock up on boards for formwork, reinforcing mesh and special grout for joints.

After the selection of the site for improvement, the planning of the area is carried out. At the same time, it is important to accurately determine its dimensions in order to calculate the required amount of paving stones. Blocks need to be bought with a margin of 7-10% in case of various unforeseen situations and repairs during operation. The photo shows various options for arranging paths:

Walkway

First, prepare the foundation. First of all, excavation is done in a pre-marked area. So that there are no puddles on the paving stones, small slopes are formed from the center to the edges within 1.5 cm by 1 meter. In this case, the leaked liquid will drain off the site.

The next step is to compact the soil using a manual or hydraulic rammer. Following this, the base is covered with 5-10 cm of gravel or fine gravel with a fraction of up to 30 mm. Rolling is performed again. This layer is essential for drainage. It is not recommended to ignore it, otherwise the sand will be washed out during precipitation. Over time, the blocks will become skewed and fall through.

On the perimeter of the path, curbs are laid on a sand-cement mortar (3: 1). The width should be calculated so that it is a multiple of the length of the bricks. In this case, you do not have to cut them again.

A day after the arrangement of the curb, a sand cushion 10 cm thick is poured. It is carefully leveled, watered abundantly and compacted well. Then the paving stones are laid in accordance with a previously prepared sketch. Use a rubber mallet to fix and align the blocks. If the brick has risen incorrectly, it must be pulled out, the base is leveled and only then laid again.

The finished coating is processed with a tamper with a soft backing. At the end, the seams are covered with clean sifted sand. The rest of the powder is swept away with a broom. Finally, you can wash off the excess with a light stream of water.

Platform for a car

The principle of laying in this case is almost identical to the above-described method, with the exception of some nuances:

  • 15 cm;
  • a layer of dry sand-cement mixture (6: 1) in 4-5 cm is poured on top, on which bricks are laid;
  • Finally, the blocks are compacted with a special rammer and well watered for hardening;
  • the slots are filled in the same way as in the previous case, but after drying.

Site with concrete base

If it is necessary to improve the area with paving stones, on which the passage of heavy vehicles is planned, an appropriate base should be prepared. After marking and preparing the site, make a cushion of rubble of at least 15-20 cm.

After careful compaction, formwork is installed. Then a reinforcing mesh is placed on special supports: as a result, it will end up inside the concrete base. The mortar layer should be at least 10-15 cm. While the concrete has not hardened, slopes are formed from the center to the edges in order to ensure the drainage of excess moisture.

Borders are fixed with sand-cement mortar. Then blocks (2-3 cm) are placed on a screed, which is preliminarily applied to a hardened base moistened with water.

When the coating is completely petrified, the joints are filled with a special grouting mixture.

In conclusion, watch a video with detailed instructions on how to improve the paths of a country house with your own hands:

.