I want to lay a very simple patio, plain paving stones, any tips for cheap easy way?
Answers:
My hubby and I laid a small patio in our backyard 3 years ago. We used the larger 18 x18 paver block to make the work really quick.
We killed the grass where it would go with some roundup. Then we hand dug out about 4 inches in the entire area. We used the extra dirt to make a raised flower bed. We then put down some medium/small sized rock on the bottom, then filled with sand which can be easily shifted for a level surface. You can use a 2x4 to do this. Then we laid in the pavers. We made sure that they were a little bit higher then the surrounding ground, since it would settle a little.
We were told to fill in with sand. We swept the sand into the cracks, but my hubby was worried about the dreaded weeds coming up, so he took some plain old fast drying dry cement, something that hadn't been mixed with water yet, then swept into the cracks. after that he sprayed it down lightly with the hose to make it wet. It sealed the cracks in between the pavers, and we have never had a single weed!
The important thing to remember is to keep it level, and slightly graded AWAY from the patio at the edges. It will stop puddling on the patio.
Other answers:
no if you do that they will move, you need to concreat them in.
no if you do that they will move, you need to concreat them in.
HIRE MAXICANS
Paving stones can be a cheap and easy way to visually change your patio area; however, be sure to do it right the first time. If you don't properly prepare the site before laying the paving stones, you may end up with a headache. First if there is grass in the area, determine where the stones will be placed. Remove the grass and then lay a sheet of mesh that prevents weeds and new blades of grass from coming up. Then lay sand on top. Make sure it is level to make walking on the area ease. Arrange paving stones in the pattern you like. Fill in gaps with sand. Use a broom to make sure that the sand has filled the gaps. Laying the mesh before the sand is important to prevent unwanted weeds and unsightly grass from growing. This step will save much valuable time in the end.
You should clear any vegetation out, grade the site with a slight slope away from your house, compact the ground to make sure you don't end up with a hole or sunken area, add a fiberglass mess for added stability, top with 1-2 inches of sand, again compacted, lay stones. You should fit them as close as possible cover patio with sand and then run a vibrator over all to fill voids with sand and lock pavers in place. complete by sweeping off excess sand.
You can do all that or you could just build it up and frame it. You can buy pre-made stone forms from Home Depot. You just fill them with concrete. You can even color stain them. Then you just put them together like a puzzle.You could even fill in around them with river rock or pebble stones.