DIY Network

Finishing the Patio Finishing the Patio From "Grounds for Improvement" episode DGFI-109

Figure A

Wasting no time, Dean and Mike start tamping down the gravel, checking it for level (it must be level before the sand goes in). A very useful tool to get for a large area like this patio would be a laser transit. The transmitter sits on the ground like a tripod and sends a laser to the receiver you hold on top of the area you want level. When you find an area that's level at the depth you want, the machine will let you know. For areas that aren't level, a power tamper (figure A) does the trick!

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	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

Install 1" poles like a vertical grid over the newly leveled gravel to help keep the next layer level. The metal poles also act as a guide to make sure there is exactly 1" of sand throughout the foundation. It's now time to pour prepared bags of sand over the gravel. Begin pouring next to the house and work your way back toward the yard. Then rake over it evenly. Before the concrete paver stones can be placed, the sand must be screeded. By going over the metal poles, the excess sand gets pushed to the edge, and you can also see where more sand needs to be placed. Screeding is basically pressing down on the sand with the 2x4 to give it a smooth top (figure B). It's important that once the sand has been screeded, no one walks on it. Now it's time for the concrete paver stones!

Once the sand is smooth and flat, everyone lays the pavers in a creative pattern Dean came up with (figure C). As the pavers go down, Amy and Dean install metal edging (figure D), and the crew starts planting in the newly created beds. After the crew continues mulching and spreading a little more paver sand in between the gaps in the patio, the day comes to end and the job is complete. The old fence is gone, and Mike and Amy now have a new paver patio and planting beds that makes their yard look more attractive, bigger and more cohesive.

The stones can be arranged in a pattern according to preference. Again, you'll want to start at the house and move toward the yard. Once you've placed enough stones on one side so that you can kneel on them, switch over to that side and start screeding the sand that you were on just before. This will ensure that you're not kneeling or standing on top of sand that's been screeded. After creating a pattern, simply repeat it throughout the entire patio.

If you want to create smaller stones for your pattern, you can rent a wet-blade diamond saw (figure E) at your local rental center for about $50-$75 a day. Make sure you wear gloves and goggles to avoid injuries while doing this!

A neat idea to add on to your patio is to create a border for flowerbeds. Simply edge your patio by placing upright paver stones around the patio and then use a mallet to hammer them into place.

The last step for your new paver patio is to install plastic brick edging around the borders. You can measure out the plastic brick edge to the desired length and cut or saw off the excess. When installing the edging, make sure it's resting at the gravel base because the sand is not secure enough. Then hammer the edging into place with nails.

After all the edging is in place, they spread more paver sand to fill in the gaps between the pavers and start planting (figure F). As the day comes to end, the job is complete. The old fence is gone and Mike and Amy now have a new paver patio (figure G) and planting beds that makes their yard appear bigger and more cohesive.

RESOURCES :

Black and Decker tools
Website: www.blackanddecker.com
Black & Decker, Inc. (Corporate)
Website: www.bdk.com/main_bd.htm

Sealants
OSI Sealants, Inc.
Website: www.osisealants.com

Porter-Cable Tools
Porter-Cable Corporation
Website: www.deltaportercable.com

Delta Woodworking Tools
Deltak Power Tools
Website: www.deltamachinery.com

Irwin Industrial Tool Company
Website: www.irwin.com

Ames True Temper Tools
Ames-True Temper
Website: www.ames-truetemper.com

Paving stones
Pavestone
Website: www.pavestone.com

Equipment rental
Sunbelt Rentals
Website: www.sunbeltrentals.com

Annual plants
Wyld West Annuals
Web: newsite.com
E-mail: gardensla@aol.com