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Creating a Circular Patio An eyesore of a backyard becomes a patio showplace for this Massachusetts firehouse. From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-206

(Continued from page 2)

Figure H

Phase 2: Creating the Patio Base

• Keep the spikes in place but remove the string. Use the spikes to check pitch and depth throughout this process. Dampen the ground and compact the dirt base with a plate compactor (figure H). You don't want the soil too wet--just enough to help with compaction.
  

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• Once the base is completely compacted, spread and smooth about two inches of crusher run with your landscape rake (figures I and J). Wet and compact the crusher base. Add another inch or two of crusher run and compact once again – the goal is to create a three-inch compacted crusher run base.

  Figure I

  Figure J

  
  

  	Figure K
  	Figure L
  	Figure M

• To check the three inch measurement, set up your cross strings again, and measure down with your tape (figure K). If you're low, keep your strings up and add crusher run where needed.

• The next step is to prepare a one-inch screeded sand base for the pavers. Divide the patio area into sections no wider than four to six feet. (This 12-foot patio was divided into three sections.) Lay one-inch pipes parallel to each other to mark out these sections, and check for level (figure L).

• Start with the center section and spread sand over the gravel pack. Lay the wood 2x4 across the parallel pipes and screed the sand to a smooth one-inch thickness (figure M).

• As you screed the center section, be sure to keep your center point marked.

• Slide the pipes down, add more sand, and then screed the lower half of the circle. For the sides, set your pipes along the edges and repeat the process.

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