If you have been considering installing a new walkway, driveway, or patio, cobblestone pavers are an excellent material choice. Cobblestone will add an attractive look to your home while also increasing the resale value of your property. Whether your project is straight or winding, using a mixture of these cobblestone pavers will create the look you desire.
To tackle this project, you’ll need these supplies:
– A Shovel
– Crushed Gravel
– A Rubber Mallet
– A Broom That Is Stiff
– Sand (Construction Grade Preferred)
– Sealant
– A Gardening Hose
– A Gardening Hose Spray Nozzle
– A Carpenters Level
– Yard Stakes and String (to outline the area)
– Trowel
– Pavers (these can be natural cobblestone or interlocking)
How to Install Cobblestone Pavers
Step One: Outline
Begin your project with a diagram. You will first want to draw out the project. Next, outline the area you intend to pave with yard stakes and string. This will aid you to get a visual and to get the proper measurements so you can purchase your pavers.
Step Two: Excavate
Clear the area. You will want to remove all rocks, roots, shrubs, etc, that will make the surface uneven. After you have completed this, start excavating the soil. You can do this with a shovel; make sure to dig out enough space to fit the gravel, sand, and pavers.
Step 3: Gravel
Lay your gravel base. You will want around 2 inches of gravel, then compact it with a trowel. If there are areas that have poor drainage, you should use more than two inches of gravel.
Step 4: Sand
Pour two inches of sand on top of the gravel. Then, compact the sand with your shovel; you don’t want any air pockets.
Step 5: Begin Paving
Pick a corner to start at, and then start laying your cobblestone pavers. You will want to do this one at a time, while making sure that each of them lies flat. If they seem a bit crooked, remove some of the sand underneath it.
Step 6: Pack
Be sure to pack the cobblestones with a rubber mallet. This will help to ensure that each stone is secure within the sand bed. You do not want any stones to be loose for this can cause trouble or cracking in the paved area in the future.
Step 7: Sweep Sand
Use any leftover sand to fill the cracks between stones. You can do this by using a stiff broom, sweeping the sand into the holes. Make sure that the sand is dry; you should wet it once you are done so it will compact.
Step 8: Sealant
Apply sealant to your finished product. By adding sealant, you are increasing the longevity of your project and decreasing the likelihood of weeds growing through it. The area will also be much more durable. Always read the label of sealants, each is different.
Cobblestone pavers are an elegant way to pave any area in or around your home. The process is much easier than many other pavers. You can find many assorted types and colors of pavers at your local home improvement store.