Laying pavers: improving the area

Today, for the construction of roads paving stone is practically not used. Despite the fact that it is quite durable (unlike asphalt), laying paving stones requires a lot of time and effort. But small areas, for example, park paths, sidewalks, sites at shopping centers - it is quite acceptable.

This demand is associated with the excellent qualities of this material:

- durability and environmental friendliness;

- excellent resistance to natural factors (temperature changes, sun rays, etc.) and mechanical influences;

- quite an acceptable price;

- a wide range of colors and shapes.

The main thing is to choose the right material and, after considering all the options for laying paving stones, properly pave sidewalks and paths. This is a guarantee of sophistication and durability.

Stages and technology of pavers laying. Basic moments

Laying pavers - a laborious process, but not very complicated. To work with this material, no special equipment or education is required.

The most important is the first stage: the marking of the coverage area. Clearly marked territory is the key to successful design (as the foundation for the house). The marking of the path or sidewalk is carried out using roulette, building pegs and twine. With their help, an imaginary curb is made: measured - pegged in - pulled the string. Thus, it is possible to visualize the future coverage visually and to assess the convenience of movement along it, to make the necessary changes in the trajectory.

The second stage is the preparation of the foundation. It should be dense, strong, since it depends on it the durability and strength of the track itself. The base can be of different materials. Someone uses sand, pressed together with gravel, someone - concrete. This is a single-layered substrate. If laying pavers is designed for high traffic areas, the base must be multi-layer: crushed stone (15 cm), sand (10 cm) and geotextile connecting them. In some cases, a layer of dry cement is laid on top of the geotextile (about 3 cm). The thickness of the tile itself is on average 7 cm. Thus, the stacking height is about 35 cm. This must be taken into account when digging the profile: it should not be too deep to avoid overruns of construction materials, but not be small enough to make all layers Thickness and at the same time did not protrude above the ground level. Having fallen asleep a profile all are necessary layers and well ramming them, we will receive the good and strong basis, ready under stacking of a stone blocks.

The third stage is laying pavers. This simple process consists in laying out patterns from elements or simply a continuous covering (depending on which form and technology will be chosen by you). The tile is laid one by one, after each laid out row, the level of the surface is checked: the projecting blocks tapped, and under the recessed layers a layer of cement mixture is poured.

The fourth stage is the pouring of pavers with sand and watering until it is completely absorbed. This is necessary to fill the joints and shrinkage. Usually the surface is poured several times.

Walk on the new pavement can be 2-3 days after the last watering.