How to Prepare for Paver Installation

December 1, 2022

Whether you intend to do it yourself or hire a professional to do it for you, there are some key steps you should follow when preparing for successful paver installation. With correct installation, you’ll have a nice foundation that allows for water permeation without damaging the base. This is true no matter your paver project, whether you intend to make a new driveway or transform your backyard.

So here are a few key tips recommended by our staff and expert groups like Landscape Management to help you prepare for paver installation:

Tip #1: Make Sure You Have Approval for Where You Want to Place Your Paving Stones.

Even if it's a property your family has owned for a long time, there are certain outdoor areas you have to be careful of when making alterations to your property. This is because pipes, wires and other buried objects that maintain your house and neighborhood may be buried beneath. Furthermore, paving is a significant project that may violate your homeowner agreement, HOA, or other restrictions placed upon your property.

Before you do anything else, make sure you contact all associated parties and get approval for your paving project. Then, be sure to take some tape, removable spray paint, or some other marker and carefully mark off the paving project area. Share pictures or show off this project area to the proper authorities, and once you have their approval you know you can get started.

Tip #2: Take Your Time as You Square, Excavate and Prepare for Paving.

While you may be tempted to start digging right away, be sure to take your time as you prepare for excavation. Place some stakes at your corners and tie strings between them so you can box off your digging area and avoid going past your markers. Set your grade to ensure that your surface drainage will flow in the direction you want it. Determine the proper depth for your paving project, and gather the tools you need to dig that deep.

You’ll also want to start gathering the actual paving stones you need for your project. There are many different types of paving stones, with the same stones even creating different patterns depending on how you lay them. This is the perfect time to start planning these details, as your desired design will determine how and where you need to dig.

Tip #3: Remove All Plants, Rocks and Other Debris from The Paving Area.

Before you can set anything, including sheets, gravel, or sand, you need to actually dig out the paving area. Assuming you’ve gathered the gloves, shovels and other tools you’ll need for the job in the last step, carefully dig down to the desired depth.

It is vital you clear out everything you can as you dig. This includes plants, rocks and anything else you may encounter. Failing to properly remove plants can lead to weeds growing through your paving stones, while rocks will likely lead to an uneven surface. The more even and empty your foundation is, the easier it will be to lay your desired paving stones later on.

Need Help Paving? Contact Nicolock.

Nicolock is a proud distributor of paving stones and other outdoor living products. Contact us today or check out our FAQ if you need help with your next paving project.

Question: How to Prepare for Paver Installations

There are multiple steps you should take when preparing for successful paver installation. Before anything else, make sure you have approval from the HOA and your city before starting so you don’t dig up anything you weren’t supposed to. Carefully mark off your project area and take the time to determine the proper grade so you don’t cause drainage to flow towards key structures. Make sure to also clear out all dirt, plants and other debris as you prepare.

You’ll also want to carefully consider the paving stones you intend to lay down. Different paving stones have varying attributes, especially if you consider our exclusive long lasting paver-shield™ products. Even the same paving stones can look different depending on the pattern you chose to lay them down in.

Because there are so many things to consider, we invite you to visit our blog post on this topic to learn more about how to prepare for paver installation.