After a long day of work, the last thing you want to come home to is a messy yard. Debris everywhere, uneven ground; it can be quite the eyesore. To improve that and to give your home a comfortable and relaxed look, installing pavers in your outdoor space is a great option.
However, before installing pavers in your yard, it’s important to first level the ground. This may seem like a daunting task, but with a little elbow grease and the right tools, you can do it yourself. In this article, we’ll give you some instructions on how to level the ground for pavers. But first…
Why Should You Level The Ground for Pavers?
A level surface is necessary for a successful paving job whether you are using concrete, brick, or stone pavers. If your ground is not level, it will be very difficult to get your pavers to lay evenly. An uneven surface will also make it difficult to walk on and could be a trip hazard.
Here Are the Materials You Need To Get The Job Done
-Shovel
-Rake
-Sand/gravel
-Level
-Measuring tape
-Stakes or string
-Rubber mallet
-Tamper
How to Level the Ground for Pavers
Step 1. Measure and mark the area
Measuring and marking the area where you’ll be laying the pavers will help you determine how much ground you need to level and how many pavers you’ll need to purchase.
To measure the area, you can use a measuring tape. If you’re using a measuring tape, mark out the perimeter of the area with stakes or string. Then, use the tape measure to get the length and width of the area.
Step 2: Remove debris from the area
Once you’re done marking the area, start by clearing the area where you want to install the pavers. Remove any debris that may be in the way. This includes sticks, stones, and leaves. You can use a shovel to remove any large rocks or roots that could impede your work.
Step 3. Excavate the ground
To create a level surface for your pavers, you must excavate the area first. If you’re working with a small area, you can level the ground with simple tools like a shovel or trowel. If you’re working with a larger area, you can hire someone to do the excavation for you. But if you’re someone who loves to do jobs themselves, it’s best if you have a powerful, versatile machine like the MAGNATRAC®. Not only does it help you excavate large areas of land with ease, but it can also help you do various works that are usually done by service providers.
The depth of the excavation will depend on the height of the pavers being used.
Step 4: Fill ground with sand/gravel and level the surface
Once you’re done digging, you can use sand/gravel to create a firm base for your pavers. Make sure to use a tamper or hand roller to level out the sand/gravel on the ground. This will also ensure that your foundation is firm and stable. If necessary, add or remove soil until you achieve a level surface.
Step 5: Lay down your pavers
Now that the ground is level, you can start laying down your pavers. Begin at one end and work your way across, making sure each paver is snug against the others. For a professional look, use a rubber mallet to gently tap each paver into place.
Conclusion:
It is important to level the ground for pavers first so that they are stable and even. It may seem like a daunting task, but you can do it yourself—especially if it’s a small area. However, if you have a relatively large property and love to do DIY projects like this and save big on contractor fees, you can check out our MAGNATRAC® by claiming your free info kit below.