![]() ![]() The second most common mistake is not digging a deep enough area for the base. ![]() If you try to replace either of these aggregates with dirt, it won’t be long before you have to tear it all up and start from scratch. After you lay gravel, you’ll need to spread a smooth layer of concrete sand for your pavers to settle in and stay. Use road base gravel so that you get the right mix of fine and coarse aggregates for the best compaction. That’s why you’ll need to lay a substantial gravel base on top of your dirt. The principle to remember is this: your pavers are only as stable as the base they’re sitting on. However, if you properly lay a gravel base, you’ll essentially eliminate settling. ![]() This becomes an issue because, if you backfill with 10″ of dirt, your pavers will settle around 3″ over time. That means, if you backfill with dirt, your hardscape will settle 30%. Here’s why: dirt shrinks by 30% when compacted. Instead of having a smooth surface, you’ll have a bumpy, uneven surface. If you use dirt as your backfill or base, your pavers will sink, rotate, and separate. That’s why we’ve put together a series of paver installation video tutorials on almost every aspect of DIY hardscaping-from How to Build a Circle Patio to How to Build a Retaining Wall and so much more.īefore you kick off your first (or next) hardscape project, please take a look at our list below and make sure you avoid any of these all-too-common mistakes. We wrote this article to help save you the headaches most people encounter while you’re installing hardscape.Īt Western Interlock, we aim to help you take the hard out of hardscaping. The famed American basketball coach, John Wooden, once said, “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” The truth is, most people jump into paver installation without knowing what they’re getting into-then they make mistakes or take shortcuts that cost them a lot of time and money down the road. ![]()
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