Laying paving stones in the garden is not difficult. You just need a little patience and accuracy. The hardest and most difficult job is to prepare the ground for the pavement. Laying the cube itself is a pleasure afterwards.I deal with broadly understood construction, so I have had the opportunity to do it many times.In my letter I would like to give all readers of my favorite magazine some practical advice.
Where to start?
At the beginning, you need to define the goal you want to achieve. Depending on whether it will be an alley, terrace or road to the garage, the substrate, the thickness of the paving stone and the way it is laid may differ. Let's assume that we want to create a decorative walkway that divides the garden into parts.In this case, a 6 cm thick cube will be enough.
Sizing
The size and shape of the path depend on the plot area and financial possibilities. Remember that the more cubes you arrange, the less green you can plant.You have to balance it so as not to overdo it with either one or the other.Another thing - the sidewalk should not be too narrow. After all, we must move freely around it. The standard width is within the range of 90-120 cm.
Shape and color selection
The shapes of the paths and the type of paving stones can be really different - with simple or elaborate geometric shapes or wavy edges.I know from experience that rounded, irregular lines optically increase the size of the garden.It is also not worth exaggerating with the colors of the cube. One or two, matching the colors of the buildings, will be more than enough.
Necessary tools
- rammer (even a wide board nailed to a long handle),
- rubber hammer,
- wheelbarrow and shovel,
- grinder (for possible cube cutting),
- string,
- meter,
- wooden stakes,
- spirit level,
- thin, long slats.
Materials needed
- paving stones,
- cement,
- sand,
- rubble (optional).
Stages of making a path from cobblestones
1. With the help of stakes and a string, we mark the boundaries of the path.Then it will be easier to measure how much material we need if we haven't calculated it beforehand.
2. We dig the soil to a depth of 1-2 pieces and level the level in the dug hole.
3. Pour a small layer of debris on the bottom (it hardens well), and then sand to 2/3 of the required thickness.
4. Then we prepare a dry bedding - a bag of cement for 5 bags of sand.Mix the ingredients thoroughly until they have a uniform, smooth gray color.
5. We pour the ballast downwards. You have to take into account the thickness of the cubes and the fact that it may drop a little after whipping. The cube should also not protrude higher than the lawn.
6. We put two slats in parallel and use a spirit level to check the slope of the path.We also use it to even out the sand (the slats are removed afterwards, of course).The slope of the path, if required, must be determined before starting work. It is worth taking into account slight slopes - then the water flows off the path more easily.
7. Kneeling on the board, place the cubes in rows (you should never walk on the ballast). Every now and then we move forward with it. After arranging 2-3 rows, attach the second, long board to the ankle.We level the level of their arrangement by hitting different parts of the board with a rubber mallet. At the beginning, we select only whole elements for placing.
8. We create successive layers of the path, from time to time moving the board. If necessary (especially on the last row and on the sides), cut the cube with a grinder.
9. The whole thing is leveled with a rammer (at this time, we pour the sand to fill the gaps and water it, without regretting the water, so that the ballast binds and hardens.Repeat the treatment several times.And that's where we finish the work! Without hardening the substrate in summer, the cube would spread in all directions, and after winter, after the soil thaws, the water would displace it upwards.
