How to lay paving – User Guide
In this user guide, we will be learning how to lay paving slabs in your own DIY projects.
Products we will be using in this guide are:
Step 1: Excavate approx 150mm of the surface until the ground feels hard. Replace this with approximately 100mm of crushed stone and compact using a vibrating plate or roller. We recommend a gradient fall of round 1 in 60 for drainage.
Step 2: Peg or mark the area which you intend to pave. It is an idea to work in a parallel line from say a building or existing path.
Step 3: Using a cement mixer, mix 3 parts building sand to 1 part cement until the consistency is workable, not too wet. Place several spots where your first slab is to be laid, place your slab onto the mortar, and tap into place using a rubber mallet. Level the slab using a spirit level and use a line band to ensure that your slabs will follow a straight line.
Step 4: Repeat step 3 ensuring that the joints between each slab are near equal. We recommend slabs about 5mm apart (at the bottom) to create the correct width joint. Make sure that no one can walk on your new patio area for ideally, 2 days
Step 5: Mix 2 parts silver sand to 1 part cement until the consistency is workable but not too wet. Place a small amount of mortar onto a hand board and push the mortar into the joints with a pointing trowel. Be careful not to drop the mortar on top of the paving as this will most certainly stain the surface of the slab. Remove any spillages with clean water immediately.
