DIY Network

Preparing the Site Preparing the Site From "Hardscapes" episode DHSC-101

Figure A

Building a patio with pavers, sand and gravel is easier than you may think -- and the results are more than a little impressive, as you'll see in this project. A once-bare backyard (figure A) will be transformed not only with the patio featured here, but with pathways (figure B), retaining walls (figure C), a pond (figure D) and an arbor that will provide comfortable summer shade. (Each of these elements will be added in later Hardscpaes episodes.) For now, let's get started on that patio....

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

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Tools:

shovel
spade
wheelbarrow
small Sledgehammer
stakes
2x4s
tape Measure
broom
rake
level
gas-powered Compactor
masonry wet-saw

Materials:

String
Edging
Landscape spikes
Sand
Gravel
Landscaping Fabric
Paving Stones
Safety goggles
Heavy-duty work gloves

• Begin laying out your patio by measuring out the width and length of your surface area. Before starting to dig, call your local utility company and request a "one-call service" to mark the buried gas, water and electrical lines (figure E). Utility companies usually provide this service at no charge, and the marked indicators will make it easy to know where not to dig!

  If digging by hand, drive stakes in the ground at the corners (figure F) and connect string between each stake (figure G), giving you the general layout.

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

• Use landscaper's spray paint to mark the area directly on the ground (figure H).

• Determine your finished patio height. It should be slightly above the surrounding ground (figure I) so that rainwater won't stand on the surface. Take into consideration the thickness of your paving stone (figure J) and make sure to leave an extra six inches for your sand and gravel foundation.

Figure H

Figure I

Figure J

• The secret to a long-lasting patio lies in a good base for the pavers. The thickness of your base depends upon the soil: low-lying, wet soils need a thicker base than well-drained soils.

• Now that you've taken in all the base considerations, it’s time to excavate the area (figure K) and firmly tamp the dirt surface to the desired height, making sure it’s level (figure L).

  Figure K

  Figure L

  
  

  Figure M

  • To keep your patio from being invaded by weeds, use commercial-grade landscape fabric (figure M). The addition of this material is vital for three reasons:
    1. It will keep weeds from growing up through the patio pavers.
    2. It will prevent the pavers from sagging and becoming uneven.
    3. It will reinforce the area beneath the pavers with its built-in layer of sand and gravel but will still allow water to flow through the pavers and into the soil.
  
  
  • Roll your fabric out (figure N) and secure it along the edges with 8-inch landscape spikes (figure O). You don’t want to come up short on your fabric, so roll it out about 6 inches past your dig line. After laying in your edging and stones, you can always go back and trim it off.

  Figure N

  Figure O

  
  

  Figure P

  • Next, fill the entire area with a 4-inch layer of crushed gravel. Again, level it off (figure P), making sure your patio slope is consistent.

  Next: Adding Sand and Edging
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Preparing the Site
  	Adding Sand and Edging
  	Fire-Pit
  	Stairs and Deck Access