PAVING A WALKWAY OR TERRACE

Do you want to pave your driveway, walkway or terrace?

Then there are several things to consider. Where do the existing sewers, pipes and utilities run that need to be considered? Do power lines need to be laid underground for pathway lighting later? Where are the transitions to other surfaces and where does surface water drain? Drainage channels at the lowest points can protect against puddles and wet shoes! Therefore, good planning is essential for a perfect result.

You start by surveying the terrain first, as a 2% slope is required for drainage. The subsequent excavation must have the same slope as the paved area to create an equally strong, solid and load-bearing layer everywhere.

As always, the depth of the excavation depends on the subsoil and must be a minimum of 400 mm. Then compact the sub-base and spread the gravel, which is also very thoroughly compacted.

When calculating the excavation, the following should be subtracted from the later planned height:

Approximately 300 mm for the layer of gravel, which serves as protection against frost and rising damp. For this layer, use coarse gravel of 8-16 mm fraction, compact the gravel layer
Approx. 40-50 mm for a layer of finer gravel of fraction 4-8 mm, which serves as a layer for paving
The thickness of the paving blocks you will be paving with, usually 50-80 mm

It is important to work accurately to avoid creating steps at transitions to other surfaces.

Curbs, stairs, driveways, flower beds

How are the coping, steps, access paths, flower beds and connections to landscaping to be made? At what height and in what direction? If curbs or palisades are to be placed, they are usually set 1/3 into the ground. For this purpose, trenches are dug in the excavation pit in which the concrete palisades are placed. The palisades may run horizontally or follow the slope of the ground. And how high above ground level should the slopes end? In any case, so that open car doors do not hit them.

If necessary during excavation, drains, pipes, drainage gutters, utilities, electricity, etc. are connected, sanded and compacted so that the pipes cannot be damaged by large rocks. The soil shall then be compacted with a vibratory plate. Gravel can now be applied for a clean layer, i.e. frost protection, and spread evenly. The gravel is again compacted with a vibrating plate. Another layer of gravel is applied on top of this, this time in a smaller fraction for laying. This is levelled with a slat so that the sub-base for the later paving level has exactly a 2% slope. The required paving blocks or slabs are then laid in the gravel bed.