Laying your Pavers Return to index
Starting from a permanent edge such as a house, driveway, or even a piece of pave edge, lay your first paver starting from either side. (As you start laying pavers, work from right to left, then left to right and so on, one row of pavers at a time.) Set the pavers lightly onto the sand, never press them or hammer them in. Be sure to allow 6" (15cm) for the pave edge on the open sides later. If you are starting with the pave edge as a starting point (read A below), every 4 feet or so run a string line across front of the laying edge. If there are some Pavers lagging behind go about three rows of pavers and using a small pry bar, wedge between the Pavers and pry the Pavers forward until they are in line again. Do not worry too much about gaps at this point, they will even out during tamping later. Many different laying patterns are possible, but herringbone provides the best surface interlock.
Set the pavers hand tight, but DO NOT use a hammer to adjust the pavers or set them. If you are doing the project over a couple of days, cover the entire area with plastic overnight if rain is expected. Do not lay pavers over the 6" (15cm) extended base area where PAVE EDGE is to be set later.
A. Before Laying the Sand Layer
Snap chalkline on base material before you screed sand if you are going to start laying your pavers from a Pave Edge line first. Spike edging so that the chalk line remains visible. Spike every 2 feat with 10" (25cm) x 3/8" (9mm) diameter steel landscape spike. (Available at any building supply store.)
The Pave Edge not only holds the Pavers, but the sand as well. It is a wonderful material and I recommend it to anyone installing pavers at there home.
Cutting Pavers (If needed)
If you have to cut your pavers to go around pre-existing things like posts, then you will need to have a Mason diamond saw. When you need to cut the paver use a crayon to mark where you cut, remember to allow up to a 1/4 inch space for the sand that will fill the gaps later in the construction process
Mason or brick saw:
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