Laying of pavers correctly, is vitally important if you require a job that will not only look good, but last for many years. The 2 most important parts of laying pavers is preparation of the base and the inclusion of sub-surface drainage (i.e. below the surface of the pavers). Both of these must be done to ensure a neat and tidy job that will last. Below are our suggestions for the correct laying of pavers, other suitable methods may be used, but attention to the following points should be adhered to.

1 Excavate the area to be paved to the required depth. Allow at least 200mm (8 inches) for driveways or high soil movement areas, or at least 150mm (6 inches) for walkways. Remove any existing vegetation from the site to be paved. When excavating, allow for the depth of paver as well.

2 Determine the low points of the area to be paved. These positions will be where you will include your sub-surface drainage. As a guide, a product called "ag-drain", can be laid every 5 metres. Any paving job should have the paving slope away from your project (e.g. house, pool, shed etc). The ag-drain should be situated at least 50mm (2 inches) below the sand bedding course. It should be surrounded by washed coarse aggregate (not dirt or sand) for at least 50mm. Dirt or sand should not be used around the ag-drain as they can block the drain holes and prevent water draining away.

5 To hold pavers into position, secure the pavers by laying a strip footing around the outside and mortaring the outside row of pavers down on top of the strip footing (remember that an ag-drain will be needed at the lowest points, which will need to run out through or underneath the strip footing). Pictured right are some more examples of securing the pavers.

6 Lay the pavers in the desired pattern making sure to use string lines every 1 metre and lay the pavers to the string lines, not to the paver next to it.

7 When finished laying pavers, check pavers line up with string lines and adjust any that require straightening, using a brick layers trowel or a screwdriver.

8 Spread sand over the top of the pavers and sweep sand into the joints with a broom. We suggest you use either sharp bricklayers sand or a commercially available product such as "pavelok" or similar.

9 Compact sand and pavers using a vibrating bed compactor with a roller attachment. If a roller attachment is not available, a piece of carpet wrapped around the plate and secured with wire is an acceptable alternative.