Concrete Pavers

[Azrocks]

OK, I live in AZ and the ground is pretty dang hard as it is. I read around and they say to excavate like 9" to put down gravel and such. If the ground is really hard, how much should I need to go down and what should I put down?

The pavers are like 6x6"

Thanks!

 

[D'Animal]

What are you doing with them? Walkway or drive way?

 

[Azrocks]

Walkway only.

 

[Plowboy]

I've layed miles of that stuff, pavers average from 2 1/2 to 3 inches thick for a walkway 2 inches of p gravel compacted, barrier of weed cloth (so water can drain through) then 1 inch of sand compacted will be more than enough support for walkway pavers. I have a driveway extension set up that way with 2 1/2 paver that I drive my 3/4 truck over. NO Problems even with heavy rain.

 

[Azrocks]

I've layed miles of that stuff, pavers average from 2 1/2 to 3 inches thick for a walkway 2 inches of p gravel compacted, barrier of weed cloth (so water can drain through) then 1 inch of sand compacted will be more than enough support for walkway pavers. I have a driveway extension set up that way with 2 1/2 paver that I drive my 3/4 truck over. NO Problems even with heavy rain.

Do you use mortar type sand or something else?

 

[D'Animal]

I've layed miles of that stuff, pavers average from 2 1/2 to 3 inches thick for a walkway 2 inches of p gravel compacted, barrier of weed cloth (so water can drain through) then 1 inch of sand compacted will be more than enough support for walkway pavers. I have a driveway extension set up that way with 2 1/2 paver that I drive my 3/4 truck over. NO Problems even with heavy rain.

Plowboy

I see nothing wrong with your technic but, I don't know what your location is. Most of Tucson area has dirt that is somewhere between adobe and clay.

AZrocks did not mention if this is going in in Tucson, AZ or Vail, CO. Lack of drainage and/or frost heave may have to be taken in consideration.

Do you have any special considerations for those?

 

[Azrocks]

Vail, AZ Just outside of Tucson.

 

[D'Animal]

Vail, AZ Just outside of Tucson.

Well I never heard of it so I guess I better edit my response to plowboy. LOL!

 

[Plowboy]

I've used both mortor and silica (only at request of owner) mortor is better for holding pavers in place. Silica looks really nice for the final sweep but has a tendancy to wash out if you use a hose to clean off pavers. A vibrating plate is best for compacating but a hand tamp works ok on the p and sand layer. You can also find a product called chip sand to use instead of p. It is usually made with small chips of granite an sand. compacts really nice. Have only done one job where I had to deal with heave. A large driveway and we did pull out at least 9 inches and went 4 inches of base (Used birds eye and sand) barrier and 2 inches sand layer with 3 inch pavers. That was is No. Idaho 5 yrs ago. No movement from frost heave yet.

 

[splitshot]

With your soil there, figure out your grade, lay down a couple of inches of morter sand, dampen and compact. You'll be good to go. X2 on the vibrating plate tamper, it'll even every thing out and help the sand lock the pavers together.

 

[Azrocks]

With your soil there, figure out your grade, lay down a couple of inches of morter sand, dampen and compact. You'll be good to go. X2 on the vibrating plate tamper, it'll even every thing out and help the sand lock the pavers together.

Thanks, that's kind of what I was thinking but wanted more opinions. You probably know the soil I'm dealing with and digging down three inches or so would be a major task.

I use a Wacker plate compactor. That should be sufficient I would think.

 

[splitshot]

Yup, I live on the north end of the Catinina's. I dig all my holes with an electric rotory hammer or a backhoe

A Whacker is perfect.

 

[Cookiemonster]

Little side note to the above.

To help keep down on the dust and get better compaction have someone lightly mist the base as you compact it. Otherwise you can rent a vibratory plate with a water tank to do the same thing.
Make sure to specify when you get ready to compact the pavers themselves that you ask for the poly/rubber pad on the plate compactor. It prevents the pavers from breakage.