An excellent way to boost the appearance of your landscape is through the installation of pavers. Pavers are not only an economical option, but they are also user-friendly, making them ideal for individuals who like engaging in DIY projects. Nevertheless, the process of paver installation is not merely about embedding them outside your home. There are several considerations that you should bear in mind to make sure that your pavers will have a prolonged lifespan and will not become susceptible to damage. The following are some of the tips that you could employ during DIY paver installation.
Start with a solid foundation
Before embarking on any construction work, you need to ensure that you have a solid foundation. The installation of pavers is no exception to this. The first thing you should do is dig out a bed that is several inches into the ground. This digging gets rid of the loose topsoil that could lead to shifting pavers once they start being exposed to heavy foot traffic.
Pack down the base
In addition to creating a foundation for your pavers, you should also take the time to tamp the base down. Packing down the base ensures that the soil remains compacted during the paver installation. This technique also functions to prolong the lifespan of your pavers, as they will be at less risk of loosening.
Position the slope away from your residence
As you prep to install your pavers, ensure that your walkways or patio flooring all slope away from the home. Once the pavers are in place, precipitation will flow easier if the slope is appropriately constructed. If you would like to prevent water from entering the foundation of your home, you should ensure that the directional slope of the installation is away from your home.
Prevent the growth of weeds
One thing some people overlook when it comes to pavers is keeping weeds from growing. As a result, the vegetation starts to creep up in between the pavers, which poses the risk of premature cracking. Luckily, weed prevention is quite simple. All you need to do is purchase some landscape barriers to lay on the surface of the dug out soil before placing the pavers. You may also want to consider applying an additive in the soil that would kill weeds before they get a chance to thrive. These measures stop the growth of weeds right in their tracks.
