DIY Patio Stone Installation
1. Stake Out Project and Excavate. Lay out project by marking
area with tape measure, string line and stakes. With a shovel,
excavate the area 6 inches larger on all sides than the nished
project size (Fig. 1). Excavate 6 or 8 inches deep: 6 inches for
well-draining soil conditions and 8 inches for poorly-draining
soil conditions.
2.
Create Leveling Pad. Base material can be paver base or an
equivalent to
3
/
4
-inch minus (with nes) aggregate. Add paver
base in 2-inch increments to excavated area and thoroughly
compact with a plate compactor (Fig. 2). Repeat as needed. To
achieve the desired nished patio height, nished compacted
base should leave enough room above for patio stone height and
leveling sand. The nal grade should slope away from the house
or structure, dropping
1
/
4
-inch per foot, for drainage.
3.
Screed Sand. Temporarily lay two 1-inch diameter pipes parallel
on base, several feet apart. Spread 1 inch of paver sand over
compacted base between pipes. Level sand by pulling a straight
2x4 across the pipes several times until sand is smooth (Fig. 3).
Remove pipes and ll voids with sand, using a trowel to level
sand. Repeat until project area is covered with sand.
4.
Lay Patio Stones. Lay patio stones in the desired installation
pattern (Fig. 4), preferably starting at a 90-degree corner (nearest
house or structure, if applicable). If the desired installation pattern
requires cutting, cut the patio stones with a circular saw or tub
saw using a diamond blade designed for cutting concrete pavers.
Always wear eye protection when sawing blocks.
Read and understand the operating manual before using a saw.
5.
Install Edge Restraint and Fill Joints. Place edge restraint around
entire project on top of base (Fig. 5). Use trowel to remove
sand from edge of patio stones. Push edge restraint up tight
to the patio stones and install according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. Sweep paver sand into joints until all joints are lled.
Do not use plate compactor on patio stones. Simply sweep sand into
joints until all joints are full.
6.
Backfill Around Project. Finish project by backlling and rmly
compacting dirt in the area outside edge restraint.
Call 811, Common Ground Alliance, to have utilities marked before starting your project.
Read all instructions prior to installation.
Installation materials and tools needed (reference images on page 2):
Gloves
Tape measure
String line
Stakes
Shovel
Paver base or an equivalent to
3
/
4
-inch minus (with fines)
aggregate
Plate compactor
Two 1-inch outside diameter pipes
2x4 board
Paver sand
Trowel
Edge restraint
Circular saw or tub saw
Diamond blade designed for cutting concrete pavers
Safety glasses
Carpenter’s level
1. Lay Out Project. Figure out quantity of patio stones needed. Place patio stones onto existing surface (grass, mulch or rock). Consider your path,
direction and distance covered when placing the patio stones. Once you have them laid out, walk through the stepping stone path to make sure
you’re happy with the location of the patio stones.
2. Install.
• If installing on grass, cut around outside edge of the patio stones with a knife. Remove stepping stone and with a shovel, excavate grass.
Some soil may need to be removed and contoured to t desired height of patio stone; paver sand can also be used to adjust height. Replace
patio stone and tamp with a rubber mallet to adjust into desired position. Continue process until all patio stones are installed.
• If installing on mulch or rock, mark around outside edge of the patio stones with a trowel. Remove stepping stone and excavate mulch or rock
with a shovel. Some soil may need to be removed and contoured to t desired height of patio stone; paver sand can also be used to adjust
height. Replace patio stone and tamp with a rubber mallet to adjust into desired position. Continue process until all patio stones are installed.
DIY Patio Stone Installation for Stepping Stones
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
To Next Page
Need help?
General