San Diego Pavers Installation

1 Area Preparation

Before starting the installation, we will prepare the area where we will install the pavers. This includes pre-demolition to locate all the utilities such as electric, gas, water, and other features to avoid any damage during installation.

Next, the demolition process begins, which includes removing any existing hardscaping, like concrete, asphalt, or pavers.

Once the demolition is completed, we remove any dirt or debris from the area to ensure the surface is level and remove any large rocks or debris.

2 Grading the Area and Installing the Drainage

After the area is cleared, the next step is to grade the area to ensure proper water drainage. This is critical to prevent water from pooling on the paver surface, which can cause damage and make it slippery.

Depending on your project, we may install a drainage system, such as a French drain or a catch basin, to prevent water from accumulating in low spots.

3 Filling and Compacting Class 2 Road Base

The next step is to add the Class 2 road base, a crushed rock material. This creates a stable foundation for the pavers to sit on.

The road base is spread evenly across the area and compacted using a plate compactor. We use the compactor to ensure the base is level, providing a solid foundation for the pavers.

4 Installing Bedding Sand

Once the road base is compacted, a layer of bedding sand is added. The sand helps level out the surface and fill gaps between the road base and pavers.

The sand is spread evenly across the surface and smoothed out with a screed, a straight edge used to level the sand.

5 Laying the Pavers

The next step is laying the pavers on the bedding sand. We can lay pavers in different patterns, including herringbone, basketweave, and running bond.

We start by laying the pavers at a fixed point, like a corner or a straight edge, then laid side-by-side, with a small gap between each paver, usually around 1/8 to 1/4 inch.

As the pavers are laid, we use a rubber mallet to tap them into place and ensure they are level.

6 Cutting Boarder Pavers

Once the main area of the pavers is laid, we cut and install border pavers and fit them around the edges to create a finished look. We often use a wet saw for cutting pavers.

7 Adding and Compacting Joint Sand

After the pavers are all laid, the sand is swept across the surface, filling the gaps between the pavers.

Once the gaps are filled, the plate compactor compacts the surface again. The compactor helps push the sand into the gaps and ensures the pavers are tightly locked in place.

8 Cleaning and Sealing

The final step is to clean the surface of the pavers. We use a broom to sweep off any excess sand or debris and a leaf blower to blow off any remaining dust.

Once the surface is clean and dry, we apply a sealant to protect the pavers from stains and fade due to exposure to the elements.