Are you tired of messy gravel paths, worn grass patches and sandy footprints though out your home?
Perth is naturally very sandy, and as a result, sand has a way of finding it’s way into our homes, especially if you have children walking from the backyard or front yard without wiping their feet properly. One way to reduce the sand and to make your outside area tidier and more attractive is to install a paved area. A paved area can be installed by professionals or it might be something that you would like to tackle yourself if you are up for a DIY project.
A paved path can give a smart, decorative finish to your home entrance, patio, or drive. It is an elegant way of customizing curb appeal and ushers in a welcoming ambiance. Before you get started, you need to work out the dimensions of your paving in whole block numbers to avoid waste and minimize cutting during the project. You should also make sure the correct fall is in place to facilitate proper drainage.
- Level the path
Now you’re ready to begin. The first step is to level the path. You can do this by the edging kerb on each side as a guide for correctly leveling the sand. Get a length of timber that is wider than the path and cut a notch out of both ends so it sits over the edging. The board depth below the notches should be about less 10mm or 15mm of the depth of the paving block. Once done, pull the board towards you to level the sand as you go.
- Dig the Strip
This should be done around the edge of the sub-base and laying well measured concrete footings of about 75mm on the outside of the edging blocks and about 25mm on the inside. Wait for the concrete to dry before laying the edging blocks on a bed of mortar (about three parts sharp sand to one part cement ratio). Position them properly and allow the mortar to harden.
- Form a bay with timber leveling strips
Place these strips about one meter apart, making sure they are at the same depth as the sand. This will depend on your method of compaction — bedding in the blocks by hand will reduce the sand by about 10mm, while a plate compactor can reduce it by up to 15mm. Next, pile sand into the bay, spreading it carefully until it’s perfectly level with the tops of the strips.
- Lay the blocks
Start from one corner and begin laying the blocks in your preferred pattern. As much as possible, try to spread your weight by kneeling on a length of timber over several paving blocks so you can maintain a level surface across the path. Make sure to fit the blocks tightly against one another to minimize joints.
- Confirm compactness
After laying the blocks, use your plate compactor or a club hammer and a piece of timber to press them firmly into the sand. If the blocks drop too low, then it means the sand bed is not compact enough, so you’ll need to take up the affected block and adjust the sand bed. If there are no issues, then finish up the rest of the paving, going in two square meter sections.
- Seal up
Fill the joints between pavers with clean fine sand, pouring it onto the pavers until the cracks are completely filled. As a further step, you could also use an appropriate sealing product for added durability and lower maintenance.
There you have it. Your paved path is ready for your summer onslaught of traffic.
If for any reason you need to contact a building inspector who is also a registered builder in Perth, WA, contact Perth Property Inspections on 1800 781 251. 