A well-designed sidewalk is both attractive and practical. It may also aid in the prevention of erosion in high-traffic areas. Learn how to design a sidewalk in simple steps with the help of this guide.
Planning Of Your Sidewalks
Consider the size, height, amount of
traffic it will receive, and the overall design and appearance of your property
when designing your paver sidewalks. You can easily accommodate any changes in
elevation by constructing your sidewalks in parts. With two long pieces of
rope, layout path of your sidewalks. Then, using a tape measure, check the
width of your route and make any necessary adjustments. Mark the perimeter with
a shovel until you've determined the correct measurements.
Digging Out the Soil
To begin constructing the sidewalks,
remove sod and rocks with a sharp spade or shovel. After that, you'll need to
dig a seven-inch-deep trench. Compact the soil in the trench's bottom with the
help of a hand tamper. Make the surface of the soil hard and then even.
Making A Gravel Base
To make a sturdy foundation for the first
segment of your sidewalks, start with a layer of crushed gravel. Remember to
operate in sections so you can make the necessary adjustments to the sidewalks.
Cover the compacted field with two to three inches of crushed gravel. Spread it
out uniformly with a landscape rake. Using a hose, wet down the gravel and
firmly compress it with the hand tamper. If necessary, top up with crushed
gravel as well as tamp it down till the gravel base is marginally under grade.
Putting Paver Sand
A 1/2-inch thick layer of paver sand
should be applied across the entire section. Smooth the surface with a
finishing trowel.
Laying The Pavers
To spray the sand with a fine mist of
water, you have to make use of the nozzle on your hose. Use half blocks to
start every other row for a simple running bond pattern. A running bond pattern
staggers the joints, allowing you to make minor adjustments to create a nice,
gentle curve if necessary.
Follow The Generic Steps
Build the steps to be about seven inches
tall. To avoid tripping, place them at regular intervals. Dig about 10 inches
back into the slope when constructing a step. Crushed gravel should be used to
fill the space up to the level of your base. Wet the gravel and tamp it down
firmly and smoothly with a wall block or tamper. In the trench, place 10 1/2 x
7-inch wall blocks side by side. Allow them to spit on the sidewalks. To keep
everything in alignment, use a level to check the wall blocks and add sand
underneath them if necessary. To stagger the joints, dry-fit a second row of
blocks in various sizes. After you've finished your pattern, go back and place
a bead of construction glue between each row.
Making the Next Section
Steps three through six should be
repeated for the remaining parts of sidewalks.
Laying The Step Treads
To keep everything on a level plane, use
the same thickness of step treads as your pavers. Attach the phase treads to
the wall blocks using construction adhesive. Over a smooth layer of paver sand,
continue laying the pattern in the next segment.
Cutting The Pavers
Measure and label where you want to cut
pavers to fit into your sidewalk template when you're ready to cut them. Use a
concrete saw or a wet saw equipped with a paver-cutting blade. When cutting
pavers, be safe and wear work gloves, dust mask and protective glasses.
Securing the Edges
If all of the pavers are in place, use
paver edging or a brick trowel to trench around the perimeter to prevent them
from moving. Fill the trench with cement if you're trenching alongside the
pavers to prevent them from moving over time. Mulch or dirt may be used to
cover the cement.
Adding The Polymeric Sand
Check the weather forecast before adding
the polymeric sand. Make sure there won't be any rain for the next few days so
it can set. You need to pour a generous amount of polymeric sand onto the
sidewalks. After that, sweep it into the cracks with a push broom.
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