What to lay paving slabs on. Paving slab laying technology and step by step guide. Preliminary site preparation

The many benefits of paving slabs make them the material of choice for paths and sidewalks. Regardless of the purpose of the pavement, we can find tiles, thin and thick, in the form of paving stones. There are options to meet the requirements for sidewalks, driveways and even make the road for heavy traffic.

Unfortunately, despite the many advantages that this material has, it also has a rather serious drawback. The price of its laying and leveling is approximately twice its cost. Therefore, many people look for ways to save on installation by trying to organize the whole process themselves, especially when laying sidewalk in their own yard, on a driveway to a house or on a terrace.

Is it possible to put paving slabs on sand and without sand? How to prepare for work and what is required for it? What kind of sand is best to cover? How to avoid the most common mistakes and, finally, how to lay paving stones on sand step by step? Everything can be found in this article necessary advice and recommendations on these issues.

How to design a pavement surface?

Before you start laying, you should think about the layout of the track. It is necessary to plan the width and pattern in such a way as to minimize the need to cut the tile. This will allow you to work faster and without unpleasant surprises in the form of cracked plates, crooked elements or installation difficulties.

A photo. Cutting tiles is quite a chore, so it's best to avoid it if possible when planning your track pattern.

When planning the layout of a terrace or walkway, we must also consider water drainage. Can arrange different variants water outlet:

1. linear outlet;
2. in the form of gutters in the sidewalk;
3. plan for elevation changes.

The elevation difference is planned towards the ground adjacent to the tile, for example, into the lawn. It should be borne in mind that the surface of the sidewalk should be raised above the surrounding area so that we can avoid it being polluted by water flows, in addition, this makes it easier for water to penetrate the ground. The correct arrangement will allow the tile, even after rain, to dry quickly and be always clean.

When buying a tile, you need to pay attention not only to its decorative qualities, but also to the thickness. Different sizes are suitable for different purposes. Tiles with a thickness of 4-6 cm are used for paving walkways, sidewalks, or decorative strips around the house, while for surfaces with increased load (entrances to the house and garage), you need to choose an option with a thickness of 6 to 8 cm.

Before you get started, you need to prepare the following tools:

You will also need the following materials:

• sand;
• cement.

Work step by step

The creation of a sidewalk always includes several stages, which, depending on many parameters (type of soil, nature of the use of the sidewalk, pattern), may differ slightly from each other.

Stages

The following general steps can be distinguished:

1. Designation of the area of ​​work, preparation of tools and equipment.
2. Site marking and preparation.
3. Installation of curbs.
4. Laying tiles.
5. Grouting and finishing work.

Most of the work when laying different tiles will be the same, with the difference in step 4. Depending on the type of paving: stone, paving stones or paving slabs, the material is laid slightly differently using different bases.

Designation of the work area, preparation of tools and equipment

Laying tiles begins with the transfer of the project to the ground. It is important to plan the shape of the path or pavement, determine the location of the control points, preferably where it is important to make sure that the pattern is laid correctly or where there are some changes that should be taken into account. For planning, pegs and lace are used, with which they “draw” the shape of a path, platform or road.

Marking and preparation of the site

Work begins with the formation of a recess that corresponds to the course of the sidewalk. The depth of the excavation depends on the use case of the pavement - the higher the load, the greater the depth should be, since the thickness of the base should be greater. The recommended depth is:

• for sidewalks, paths, terraces - the depth should be from 15 to 20 cm;
• for more loaded areas, for example for car paths, this depth is at least 50 cm.

The depth of excavation also depends on the type of soil:

• on sandy soils, it may be less;
• on clay, where it is necessary to remove the impermeable layer, the recess should be larger.

In small areas, excavation is usually done manually, and in large areas it is worth using specialized equipment that can be rented.

The earth from the recess must be carefully selected. The soil can be moved to the site, especially if its volume is large, and professional equipment is required for transportation. It is important to select the entire fertile soil layer, as it is very valuable and can be used to create flower beds and beds.

The bottom of the recess must be flat, smooth and regular in shape - if we are planning drainage in the form of a height difference, the bottom of the pit should be properly formed, planning the drain. The difference should be about 1 - 2%. After all the necessary soil layer has been selected, tamping of the site can begin.

Installation of curbs for paving slabs

To clearly define the course of the pavement surface and give it the desired stability and durability, you need to install curbs. The edges of the curb are fixed on a cement foundation. Curbs take on a large load from the surface, so they should be installed very carefully and diligently. They are a frame that enhances the surface of the sidewalk. The edges must be planned so that their surface is flush with the surface of the tile. The transition from the surface to the curbs should be smooth. The size of the border, as well as the tiles, depends on the type of substrate, as well as on the nature of the use of the surface. Borders can vary in thickness, height and strength.

Drainage installation

Drainage is installed on the prepared surface.

Water diversion can take two forms:

After the above work, you can begin to prepare the substrate. This work takes place in several stages, depending on what kind of soil we have and what kind of surface we plan to create. Foundation preparation can be done in several ways. The base consists of several layers:

• native soil;
• crushed stone;
• bedding, sometimes without a layer of rubble.
  

After removing the fertile layer, the soil is strengthened. For this purpose, the substrate is removed with a shovel, and then this layer is mixed with cement. Mixing is done with a rake. After completing this work, compaction is carried out with a manual or mechanical rammer.

Then the base is made. This is a layer that can consist of a mixture of screenings, gravel, crushed stone or clay, the thickness of which varies from 5 cm and above - depending on the use of the pavement. Then the base layer is leveled, compacted and the bedding is scattered on it.

What is the best sand to work with? The backfill is usually fine sand or sand mixed with cement. This layer is not compacted, it is simply leveled and laying begins. The sand will compensate for the possible curvature of the track, which should not be too big! Depending on the type of paving slab - stone or concrete, as well as depending on the type of substrate, these steps differ from each other, which will be described below.

Laying of paving slabs should begin after opening all packages. This will avoid possible differences in the color of products from different batches. When laying the pavement, use the elements from each package.

Do-it-yourself tile laying - video

Laying stone paving slabs and paving stones

Stone paving slabs are used in open areas and in private households, both for roads and on sidewalks, ramps or sites. It looks very stylish and elegant, and works well in homes decorated in both classic and contemporary styles. On the market you can find stone tiles that vary in size, thickness and shape.

stone paving

Stone sidewalks require the use of stone curbs. Sometimes cobblestone curbs also work well with them, which, like others, must be attached to a concrete base. The basis under a stone blocks is gravel, elimination or their mixture. A layer of fine sand is poured onto such a base and then paving stones are laid. If the soil is permeable, and it is planned to use it for footpaths or to drive with a small load, then you can abandon the gravel layer and lay stone blocks on a layer of sand with a thickness of 5 cm to 20 cm.

Stone paving stones are laid 2 cm above the level. After laying, each element is driven in with a rubber mallet, then the cracks are filled with fine-grained sand, sweeping it into the cracks. This arrangement is ideal for patterns such as waves, fans or circles.

If it is planned to lay a long stone cobblestone, in a pattern with lines, a substrate in the form of crushed stone 17–23 cm thick may be required. A layer of sand is poured on it and then laid.

stone tile

Laying stone tiles is most often used in pedestrian areas, the process is similar to the laying of paving stones above. The tile is laid on sand, the layer of which has a thickness of 15 cm - on permeable soil. An area with impermeable ground where water stagnates is not a good solution. Therefore, in this case, two layers will be used as a foundation: the first (which is deeper) is a gravel mixture, i.e. a mixture of sand and gravel of various fractions (15 cm thick), and the next layer is sand with a layer having a thickness of 2 - 3 cm.

If we lay large tiles, it is not always necessary to use borders. Fixation can be used to stabilize the whole structure cement mortar.

Concrete pavers are today the most popular pavement solution, primarily due to its attractive price, but also due to good technical parameters and great choice options. Unfortunately, sometimes due to excessive patterns and colors in the composition, we get an ugly tasteless and lurid result. Therefore, when choosing paving stones, it is important to think carefully about the design of the sidewalk or the platform with which it will be paved.

Concrete pavers are currently produced in four thicknesses: 4 cm, 6 cm, 8 cm, 10 cm.

Depending on the purpose, a different thickness of the material is chosen:

• 4 cm - for sidewalks or decorative strips around the building;
• 6 cm - for areas with low traffic (pedestrian and light transport roads for cars weighing up to 3.5 tons);
• 8 cm - for street roads and parking lots;
• 10 cm - roads for heavy vehicles, buses and other heavy vehicles.

Most often, concrete pavers are produced in various colors. There are refined options, the surface of which is decorated with crumbs, and the texture can be more decorative. There are also pieces that are deliberately aged or stylized, hence their great popularity.

The advantages of this material include relatively easy assembly, dismantling or repair of any damage. Concrete cubes are also very resistant to stress, abrasion or external factors.

concrete pavers

This type of coating is laid in accordance with the type of substrate and the purpose of the surface (pedestrian, travel):

The paving stones should be placed 1.5 cm above the level, the joints should be about 2-3 mm. The seams are filled with sand and the surface is wetted so that it settles. This is repeated until the seams are completely filled. Then the surface is cleaned and, if necessary, compacted with a vibrating plate with plastic lid.

Paving stones have many advantages, so they are often used as paving paths and sidewalks in private homes.

Paving slabs in the design of the territory of a private house is always a winning option. Work on laying it is not cheap, but this is not a reason to give up the dream. Learn how to lay paving slabs with your own hands - embody the chosen design, saving a decent amount.

Arguments in favor of paving slabs

Advantages of paving slabs:

• Large selection of colors and shapes;
• Reliable and durable;
• Easy to install;
• Creates a neat and well-groomed look.

This type of decoration is very attractive - the whole yard is transformed, and the design possibilities are completely unlimited. You can lay out any pattern you like, using colors, shapes and paving methods.

Choice of clinker tiles

The laying of clinker tiles or clinker bricks looks especially beautiful. Even one batch of this material has different shades due to firing, which allows laying unique platforms and paths. The laying of such bricks is also called clinker paving stones. Retro style is always relevant and looks very solid.

Laying - step by step plan

The only disadvantage of paving slabs is the high cost of both the material itself and the work on its laying. But if you study the technology of the case, you will see that there is nothing complicated about it. Laying paving slabs with your own hands in a small area is an interesting activity that saves the budget.

Tools for the job

The set of tools and devices for work is quite simple:

• Shovels;
• Rake;
• Rubber mallet;
• Wooden boards;
• Corners and channel;
• Level;
• Bulgarian;
• Master OK;
• Homemade rammer;
• Construction fishing line or nylon thread;
• Steel bars.

This entire set can be found in any garage, so there should not be any difficulties at the stage of selecting tools.

Expendable materials

Having prepared all the materials, you can proceed to the practical part.

Planning and marking work

Laying paving slabs begins with a layout on paper. In order to realize your design project, you need a diagram of exactly how each element will be located. This is a color scheme and the way you are going to lay the tiles - in rows, in a circle, etc.

After that, the preparation of the territory and marking begins, the technology of which requires the use of steel rods, a strong thread and a level. For DIY work, this set is enough to outline the contours of the site, heights and slopes. Pegs (rods) are placed in the ground, and the thread helps to mark the height. It is necessary to outline the slopes so that the water leaves the house. If you lay the tiles in this way, you will protect the foundation from moisture, but you should not make excessively sharp slopes and fractures.

Bedding preparation

Now you need to decide on the removal of excess soil, since the tile laying technology involves the installation of a litter (pillow) under it. Excavation is done in such a way as to bring the entire surface, together with the litter, to one level. For curbs, you need to dig appropriate trenches.

How to make a bedding:

• With dense soil - a layer of sand of 5-20 cm;
• With loose soil - a layer of gravel 10-15 cm.

Experts recommend even on dense soil to arrange bedding using gravel and crushed stone. This will help to avoid deformation of the paved surface. If you put a tile on a poorly prepared surface, subsidence is not ruled out.

As a pillow for laying clinker or ordinary tiles, it is best to use a triple bedding:

• Geotextile (optional);
• layer of coarse gravel;
• Small gravel;
• layer of sand;
• Sand-cement dry mix.

Layers of gravel and rubble are carefully compacted, covered with sand and spilled with water. The last step is repeated until the sand stops shrinking. Properly executed technology will create a reliable foundation for any masonry. Professionals use special vibrating plates for ramming, but doing the work yourself can get by with a simple rammer made from a handle and heavy tiles. The use of geotextiles is not necessary, but it prevents the germination of plants.

The last layer for laying is a dry mixture of cement and sand, which can be bought, but it is cheaper to make it yourself. To do this, you need to take cement and sand in a ratio of 1: 5 and fill it as the last layer of bedding by 3-4 cm. The easiest way to distribute this mixture is with a rake, and level it with wooden planks and channel.

Border

The border helps to give the entire site a clear geometry and a complete look. In this capacity, larger tiles are sometimes used. The border keeps the entire structure from spreading in different directions, especially if we are talking about small areas.

It is correct that the tile is placed not lower, but 3-5 mm higher than the curb.

The curb elements themselves are installed on the M100 liquid solution, the sides are spilled with this composition and covered with sand.

masonry

The main task when laying tiles is to minimize the gaps between the elements. It is correct to work diagonally, laying each tile close to the previous one. The whole process takes place away from you, without disturbing the even layer of sand with cement.

Laying tiles can only be started a day after placing the curb.

A mallet will help put each slab in its place, and if it does not lie down as it should, then you need to lift it and add sand and cement with a trowel. Upon completion of the paving of the entire territory, it is necessary to adjust the position of the tiles, which have become out of level.

For the final compaction of clinker or stone blocks, it is recommended to use a rubber-coated vibrotamper. This stage will give the surface an ideal look, however, this is not a mandatory stage, but it is desirable.

It often happens that some elements will have to be cut with a grinder, especially when the seme requires complex lines. But it will be correct to lay all the whole tiles first. It is not worth cutting by eye, you need to clearly draw a line, attaching each element to its intended place.

Final stage

After eliminating surface defects, all cracks are filled with a carving mixture of sand and cement. Excess must be washed off with a hose with a spray nozzle, and the cracks should be moistened well. The mixture between the tiles can sag a lot, then it needs to be added a little more. Such thoroughness is not in vain, because the joints take on a considerable load. Therefore, do not skip this step, even if you are doing your own styling for personal use. It is important to use clean sand, not contaminated with dust, impurities and salts. When filling cracks with dirty sand, the site may begin to overgrow with weeds.

Immediately after laying, it is impossible to walk on a paved surface - you need to wait 2-3 days.

Whatever tile you choose, by doing the work yourself, you will save a good amount. This is much better than saving on the quality of the material, limiting your desires. Paving stones made of stone or clinker tiles look great, creating a stylish design. Paving technology for different materials does not differ, therefore, according to the described scheme, you can lay any tile with your own hands.

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Every owner of a house is familiar with the concerns associated with ennoblement. adjoining territory, among which the installation of paving slabs is one of the main ones. Having laid out the path of paving slabs, it becomes possible to realize two most important tasks at once - to make the yard more well-groomed and comfortable. Undoubtedly, the paving of paths with paving slabs can be entrusted to professionals - then the customer will only have the opportunity to observe the installation and enjoy the result of the work performed. But is it always possible to be sure of the professionalism of employees? In addition, the technology of laying paving slabs with your own hands is not so complicated, so any owner who wants to make his own patio cozy and attractive can do the job. Even if the preference was for third-party workers, the owner, who is familiar with the laying technique, will be able to adequately control all processes.

What is this article about

Preparation for work

Before laying paving slabs, you should complete the layout. Proper preparatory process is the key to installation work will delight you with high-quality and durable results.

• Yard layout. It is rather illogical to lay out the entire household territory- then there will be no place for green lawns, trees, flower beds and shrubs. It is much more expedient to plan paths between the main buildings - a house, a bathhouse, a kitchen, a garage, etc.;
• selection of material. Despite the huge variety of materials, paving with paving stones or paving slabs is most often chosen.

Pay attention to the type of soil - if it is hard and stable, then the sand-cement cushion will be an excellent base for a future structure that can withstand even heavy loads, such as a car. But for vague ground prerequisite is the pouring of a concrete base, otherwise the paths will quickly “blur”.

Before laying paving slabs with your own hands, you should definitely familiarize yourself with some rules, the understanding of which will make the result of the work better.

• Be sure to take care of the arrangement of drains for rainwater. If the base is a sand cushion, then small gaps between the tiles are sufficient - through them, excess moisture will naturally go into the soil. But with a concrete base, you should definitely make a slope - it is recommended 1 cm per 1 meter. A special channel for draining water is placed between the track and the curb;
• On the this stage determine the dimensions of the tiles. It is logical that for wider structures it is recommended to choose large elements - then the layout will take less time and effort. But it should be borne in mind that too large a tile is quite heavy - the weight can reach 15 kg, which complicates the workflow. Try to choose the size of the elements so as to avoid unnecessary trimming;
• Keep in mind that all communications are laid before laying the paving stones, otherwise you will have to dismantle the finished structure. In the case when the layout of the yard and buildings is not final, it is recommended to lay in the most logical places plastic pipes diameter 50 mm;
• In order to prevent subsidence of the future path, as well as the appearance of vegetation between its elements, a layer of geotextile should be placed between the soil and the base;
• The paving stone laying technology is based on the fact that the soil and the base have normal moisture content. therefore, it is not allowed to perform work during rain;
• The base must always be exemplarily flat and smooth.

Having learned the main rules for laying paving slabs, you can safely get to work.

Step by step instructions

Detailed instructions for laying paving slabs will help to avoid many mistakes. The main thing is to listen carefully to the advice and tips of professionals.

1. Layout of paving slabs - can be chaotic, geometric or artistic. In order not to break the sequence of colors or pattern, resorting to complex layout schemes, first make a visual plan for yourself that will tell you what follows;
2. Preparation of materials and tools. The main materials that will be useful in the work are tiles, sand, cement, border. From the tool, the master will need a special rubber hammer, a broom or a brush, a trowel, a comb, a building level, a strong thread, pegs, a grinder and a concrete disk. Do not forget about the robe for yourself - it should be comfortable and protect against mechanical damage;
3. Determining the boundaries of the future track. In order to make markings, you need to install pegs and pull a strong thread at the required level - these guidelines will become tips when preparing the base for paving paving stones;
4. Foundation arrangement. Direct installation of paving slabs begins with the preparation of the base. To do this, the upper ball of soil is removed, leveled, well spilled with water and carefully compacted. Existing roots, fragments of plants and dismantled buildings should be removed. At the bottom of the formed bed, a drainage layer is poured - from crushed stone or gravel. The layer height is from 160 to 400 mm, depending on the load on the future structure. If geotextiles are laid under the gravel, the likelihood of groundwater washing away the pavement is reduced. The final ball of sand - its height is at least 20 mm. The surface of the last layer should be perfectly flat;
5. Laying the tile itself;
6. Seam grouting. First, clean sifted sand is poured into deep seams, and then they are poured with a concrete mixture (sand and concrete in a ratio of 1: 1). After evenly filling the seams - for convenience, you can use a broom or brush, the seams are well spilled with water until puddles form.

The process of laying tiles also has its own stages:

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

• The process begins with laying the curb - it will make the boundaries of the track clearer and protect its edges from sprawling. For reliability, the stone is installed on a concrete castle a little higher than the level of the sidewalk;
• Ways of laying paving slabs. If the base is sand, it should first be moistened with a spray gun and allowed to settle a little - the sand should be moist and dense, not wet. The concrete-sand base is formed by laying a reinforced mesh on the sand (item 4) and filling it with a mixture of sand and cement in a ratio of 1:4;
• The paving slab laying pattern depends on the chosen pattern, but there are rules that are unchanged. The tile is laid on the mortar. Paving the sidewalk should start from the bottom point and away from you - in the process of work, the master moves all the time along the finished layout, without stepping on the base. In the process of work, it is necessary to constantly monitor the level of the height of the elements.

Hand paving is completed.

Paving slabs are an ideal option for covering paths and areas in front of a country house. It is characterized by increased wear resistance, practicality of operation, highly aesthetic appearance. Installing it is not a very complicated process, while laying paving slabs with your own hands requires compliance with certain rules, which are described in our step-by-step instructions.

In our article, we will tell you how to properly lay out paving slabs with your own hands, what tools and materials you will need for this, and also give useful recommendations in video tutorials.

The main advantage of self-assembly is the maximum reduction in the cost of the process. For any work you need to pay, and services of specialists today cost a lot. In addition, with self-laying, you can do everything without haste, following all the recommendations.

At the same time, it is quite difficult to find workers capable of laying the slab with high quality and correctly. The desire of any team is to complete the order quickly in order to receive payment, quality often suffers from this. With self-laying, the owner will be able to take into account all the features of his site, because only he knows the weaknesses well.

It is unlikely that a team of hired workers will take these nuances into account so carefully, unless they demand sky-high pay for their work.

The disadvantage of self-assembly is the need for a thorough study of the rules, additional costs for the purchase of a special tool for work.

Main types and selection rules

The composition of the paving slab is a cement mixture with the addition of various dyes, mineral components, plasticizers. Use of raw materials High Quality guarantees compliance with GOST, therefore, the durability of the coating.

Proper dosage, adherence to technology - quality assurance, therefore, it is worth purchasing material from trusted manufacturers, not chasing the cheapness of handicraft production.

It is advisable to give preference to the option that has additives of granite chips, polymers, high-quality clay. It is better to refuse the option consisting exclusively of a concrete-sand mixture, since it will not last long.

Modern manufacturers offer the consumer There are two main types of paving slabs:

• . It has most often a rectangular, square or diamond shape, uniform colors.
• . It is made by hand, therefore it is distinguished by a larger range of colors, the maximum variety of shapes.

When choosing, the quality of the base is taken into account, functional purpose coverage areas. Experts advise choosing a material of small sizes, as it is more resistant to cracking. It is important to consider the thickness of the blocks. The minimum is three centimeters, for parking and car passages - at least 5-6 centimeters.

The color and shape are selected in harmony with the decoration of the building of the house. considering your own preferences. The installation of a diamond-shaped and rectangular slab is more complicated, it requires the use of some work skills. It is easier to lay the curly one, because the flaws are less noticeable.

IMPORTANT. When choosing a stove, one should take into account its environmental friendliness, since heating the surface in summer will cause emission harmful substances which will adversely affect the health of the family.

Each plate is carefully examined, its quality is evaluated. It is worth refusing to purchase material that has the following disadvantages:

• Inhomogeneous structure of the outer side.
• Too bright color.
• Uneven coloration.
• Dark spots on the reverse side.
• Clots of material in the structure.
• Smooth, high gloss surface.

ADVICE. By knocking two copies against each other, you can determine their quality: a dull sound indicates the fragility of the material. A high-quality plate should be sonorous.

We will tell on the pages of our site everything about! You will learn many useful tips and recommendations.

Preparatory work

Before starting work, you need to purchase tiles, supplies, tools.

How to calculate the amount of material needed

The calculation method depends on the drawing that is supposed to be posted. Complex compositions require a special approach and specific recommendations. The quantity is calculated based on the selected pattern, after drawing up a preliminary sketch plan of the entire site.

If selected simple shapes worth remembering school course geometry and calculate the area of ​​a specific geometric figure, which is a plot or its individual parts.

The area of ​​all parts that need to be covered will be taken as a basis. Number of tiles per one square meter manufacturer indicated on the packaging, therefore, by simple mathematical operations, it is calculated required amount purchased kits.

Experts advise to purchase material with a margin one square meter for each part of the surface to be covered. This is necessary so that there are fewer joints in non-right angles.

REFERENCE. There are special online calculators, automatically calculating the number of tiles after entering parameters (lot area, block size). Using it, they make accurate calculations.

Additional border available, which is set to prevent blocks from moving around the edge. Its quantity is calculated according to the length of the perimeter of the covered area.

When purchasing material and planning the size of the coating, you need to try to make calculations in such a way that there is no need to lay cut copies around the edges. The fewer cut pieces will be in the coating, the more aesthetically pleasing it will look.

What you need

Do-it-yourself installation of paving slabs requires using special tools:

• Rammer
• Roulette.
• Rubber mallet.
• Line or cord for marking.
• Rule.
• Level.
• Bulgarian with discs for concrete.
• Master OK.
• Rake.
• Broom.

In addition to tools, consumables are purchased:

• Sand (on a standard plot 2-3 tons).
• Cement.

Foundation preparation

Careful preparation of the base is the key to high-quality laying. After making a plan, marking is carried out using pegs with a thread stretched over them. The quality of the soil of various parts is preliminarily assessed, the sides of the slope are clarified. If it is located towards the house and yard buildings, a drainage system is preliminarily thought out.

Sites are carefully leveled., the soil is removed with a height of 15-20 centimeters. Then the surface is compacted. At the same time, drainage and sewer pipes are being installed.

After leveling and tamping crushed stone pillow is poured. For garden paths from paving slabs with their own hands, the thickness of the layer is 10-15 centimeters; for parking lots and the roadway, the thickness of the crushed stone is doubled.

The pillow is rammed by a special machine, is covered with geotextile, which will prevent the penetration of sand between the rubble. In areas with weak, loose soil, geotextiles are additionally placed under crushed stone.

The prepared pillow is poured with a cement-sand mixture (1X5), sand is poured on top of such a height that, before tamping, the plates are 1 cm above the surface.

ADVICE. To prepare the base, it is advisable to use guides from boards along the height of the pillow. Particularly careful preparation requires a foundation in the event that the site has soft soil. It is rammed after moisturizing.

The whole further process will depend on the quality of the preparation of the base.

Important to avoid mistakes! If you want to know how to lay paving slabs with your own hands, watch the video of a person who decided to lay it wrong:

Safety

The organization of work requires compliance with safety measures:

• The workplace is freed from foreign objects.
• If the slab is laid on a concrete base, the notches are made with goggles.
• All work is carried out in rubber gloves so that the skin is not injured and corroded by the cement mortar.
• The sorting of the material and the processing of the edge of the tile is carried out in tight mittens.
• Knee pads are used to protect the legs.

On our site you will also find out! How to work with such surface paving elements?

About the features of laying porcelain stoneware and how to properly prepare the base for this material - read.

You will learn how to make steps from paving slabs with your own hands by reading our following material:.

How to lay correctly: technology and work procedure

After preparing the base for laying tiles with your own hands, the following steps are necessary:

• Pull the cord along the edges of the tracks and platforms with the help of stakes.
• Install curbs along the borders, digging them into the soil to the desired height. For greater stability, the curb is fixed with cement mortar.
• Arrange drainage for the outflow of water. The pipe is wrapped with geotextile, placed in a prepared trench next to the curb.
• Further, starting from the curb, begin to lay the slabs. Rows can be arranged diagonally or in a straight line. The rows are laid away from themselves so that the prepared base does not collapse when the workers move along it. The laid paths must be strictly parallel to the stretched cords.
• For the uniformity of the gaps between the tiles, special crosses are used.
• The slab is laid on a sand cushion, tapped on top with a hammer for a snug fit to the surface. If a distortion of some specimens is noticeable, the blocks are lifted, a cement-sand mixture is poured under them for leveling. The building level is used to control the horizontal.
• If corners or obstacles are encountered along the laying path, they should be bypassed with whole specimens. Then the remaining places are filled with suitable fragments. The tile of the required shape for these purposes is cut using a grinder with a disc for concrete. These areas are filled as a last resort.
• After laying all the rows on a continuous area, the seams between the tiles are covered with a mixture of sand and cement. Excess that did not wake up in the cracks must be brushed off with a broom.
• After all the gaps are filled with a sand-cement mixture, the surface is poured with water from a hose so that the blocks are fixed together. It is imperative to put a diffuser on the hose so that the jet of water does not knock out the filling mixture.

Process proper styling You can watch paving slabs with your own hands in this installation video tutorial:

Another useful video tutorial on how to properly lay paving slabs with your own hands - what you need for this and how to lay it correctly:

IMPORTANT. When laying each section at the end of the day, it is covered with a sand-cement mixture and thoroughly swept. If this is not done, moisture that accidentally enters can spoil the appearance of the coating even before the end of all work.

Coating care

For durability of a covering and preservation of its beautiful appearance you must follow the rules for caring for him:

In fact, this is a simple process that you can completely handle on your own, but you should not rush. The work requires thoroughness, painstaking work, it is better to do the work slowly, carefully following the recommendations of specialists.

Sidewalk modules have gained popularity among the population of the country. Properly selected instructions and do-it-yourself laying of paving slabs will reduce the cost of landscaping the local area and be proud of the builder's own achievements.

Tile pavement - an affordable, inexpensive material for decorating the area around country house, driveways. Thanks to the options:

• frost resistance;
• practicality;
• resistance to mechanical stress;
• durability;
• other.

The construction market presents a choice of tiles according to color scheme, texture, shape, size. picking up type of coverage in accordance with the general design of the site, create a single harmonious ensemble that will turn Vacation home and the courtyard around it into a complete picture.

The advantage of tiles is durability in the summer heat, this material does not:

• softens;
• fade;
• deformed;
• releases harmful substances.

The sand between the joints allows rainwater to freely seep into the ground, leaving no puddles and creating comfort in the area.

How to choose paving modules

When considering a beautification project suburban area to mark zones of different loads:

• car parking lot;
• access part of the territory;
• the area around the tile house;
• footpaths;
• recreation area.

Based on the estimate obtained, the thickness of the fragments, the amount of material for the sand and gravel cushion are selected. Color laying tiles harmonize or contrast with the background of the house. If it is difficult to determine the color, it is better to opt for light gray tones - this shade is considered universal.

The quality of the future tiles plays a special role. Therefore, it is better to purchase or order the coverage of the local area through the online market from manufacturers, at the bases building materials. Read testimonials from former clients, look at certificates, talk to neighbors and friends who have already encountered this problem.

1. Do not save on the purchase of tiles, because this material serves long years and looks attractive - the areas that are lined with this tile are located in plain sight.
2. Looks prettier and easier to install irregular shape- errors are not so noticeable. It is more difficult to lay square and rectangular fragments, here the deviation from geometric correctness is immediately evident!
3. If the tile fragments are selected in different shades, you can spend time, but lay out patterns or drawings.
4. Based on the draft, you should carefully calculate the number of tiles, the volume of sand, gravel or cement. You need to mark the area using a rope and pegs. Making such devices is simple and fast, so there will be no delays.
5. During tiling, a gap of 2 mm remains between the two segments. If the tiles do not fit snugly against the fragments of buildings, file them with a “grinder” using a stone circle.

Installation instructions

Properly selected types of paving slabs - great addition design solutions site, emphasize the relief of the territory and the originality of the created landscape. In order for this beauty to please the eyes of owners and guests, you should remember some installation rules on your own and competent instructions will help with this.

Necessary materials and tools

1. Depending on the use of the future site, tiles or concrete pad.
2. When choosing a coating, you need to consider external design, operational parameters of products. A car parking area is more durable than a footpath.
3. Before starting work, you should carefully study technical process, choose a tool that is comfortable to use with your hands.
4. Before buying tiles for the site, they draw up a project for the location of sites and paths for the correct calculation of the amount of material.
5. During the installation of the tiles, a slope is made for the unhindered flow of water from the paths to the lawn. The slope is 5mm per 1m.

Laying process

When laying tiles by hand, do not miss important points and make it right. First step preparation of the base or cushion is considered. From the degree of quality preparatory work the beauty of the future site and the duration of the operation of the tile directly depend.

We select excess soil from those areas where the tiles are laid with our own hands. If these areas are planned for laying engineering networks, lay the pipes in advance. Crushed stone and gravel are chosen in small or medium fractions. If a footpath is laid, the pillow is made up to 15 cm deep. For parking - deepen the base to 20cm. These dimensions will be obtained after careful compaction of the poured material. Next, we prepare a pillow of sand with our own hands, laid on a layer of gravel.

Step-by-step video of preparing the base for paving slabs:

However, there are situations when the soil on the site is complex, there are many irregularities and so on. Instructions on how to fix this moment are presented below.

After sealing the first layer cover the area with geotextile so that in the future the sand does not mix with rubble. Then the sand is compacted: a thick layer is not made here, 5 cm is enough. Check the horizontalness of the sites using the building level. Identified inaccuracies are additionally sprinkled with sand and again compacted.

If the soil in the work area is characterized as weak, the geotextile is laid in 2 layers: before and after the gravel. This once again enhances the strength of the base.

The base is ready, now it remains to prepare the mixture on which the tile will lie. This mixture is prepared in the ratio: 1 part cement and 5 parts sand. Spread the composition on top the last pillow with a layer of 5 cm and compact.

Now proceed to, during which follows constantly check the levelness of the site with a building level.

Video: laying paving slabs with your own hands

The process of laying the tiles is completed, now it remains to cover the surface of the laid coating with fine sand and wipe it along the joints between the modules.

Paving slab repair

Care for such a coating: you can overcast, wash even using chemicals. If one or more tile fragments are damaged, it is easy to repair the coating:

Get the corrupted fragments;

Align the sand cushion;

Lay new tiles;

Fill the seams with new sand.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I want to show one video on how not to lay paving slabs:

In order for paving slabs to serve for a long time, do not work in wet weather, do not use other backfill other than sand, and do not hammer cement into the seams. After the laying work is completed, a trench is dug along the perimeter of the site, crushed stone is poured and curbstone. For strength, it is poured with cement. The construction of the curb will prevent the modules from spreading and loosening. A cushion made of a 2.5 cm mortar, under which there is a reinforced concrete base, will give the site special strength.