Installation Instructions

PaveMaster
®
8-Step Installation Guide
1. Plan: Plan for the area you wish to pave
by bringing measurements to your paver supplier.
This way, you get the right amount of pavers,
gravel base, and concrete sand. Check with your
supplier and with local building codes for any
recommendations on your project.
2. Dig: Important: Before you dig, have an
inspection done to locate any underground
cables! Excavate 6 inches wider than the area
you wish to pave. Generally, dig 3 to 6 inches
deep for pedestrian weight or 6 to 12 inches
deep for vehicle weight. Run a plate compactor
over the excavated area at least twice, being sure
to overlap passes by a few inches. Make passes
at 45º angles from each other.
Before filling in the gravel base, check with your
paver supplier for recommendations on using
landscape fabric. Landscape fabric aids in water
drainage, helps distribute paver weight, and
reduces shifting or sinking.
Pavers
Pavers
1” Sand
1” Sand
3-6” Gravel Base
6-12” Gravel Base
Undisturbed Soil
Disturbed Soil
Check the final
height of the
pavement by
screeding 1 inch
of sand in a
small area. Place
a paver on the
sand. If the paver
is not high
enough, add
more gravel base, not sand. If the paver is too
high, remove some of the gravel base.
5. Layer Sand: Spread exactly 1 inch of
concrete sand (not cement) on top of the gravel
base. To screed, use two 2 x 4’s as guides and the
last 2 x 4 to level
the sand evenly.
Remember, if
your base is
uneven, your
pavement will be
uneven too. Do
not walk on the
leveled sand.
(See Fig.3)
6. Lay Pavers: Start laying pavers in the
corner nearest your supply, preferably by a fixture
such as your house. When putting your pavers into
place, do not exceed a 1/8” gap between them.
Note: Some pavers are manufactured with spacer
bars to ensure proper spacing. Lay pavers from
right to left, left to right, one row at a time, and so
on. Set pavers lightly on the sand. Do not push
down, twist, or slide the pavers. Walk only on the
installed pavers and not on the sand. (See Fig.4)
Some pavers will have to be cut into shape with a
masonry saw. Please follow all manufacturer’s
guidelines and safety precautions when using this
potentially dangerous equipment!
7. Install Edging:
Once all the pavers have been laid, install
PaveMaster
®
edging. Remove
the concrete
sand along the
outside of the
pavers. Place
the edging on
top of the
exposed gravel
base against the
pavers. Tap edging with a rubber mallet until it is
firmly against the pavers. Alternate between
removing concrete sand and installing
PaveMaster
®
. (See Fig.5)
Use Master Mark Plastics stakes (see mate-
rials), to anchor
PaveMaster
®
every 2 feet for
straight
sections. Make
sure edging is
secure and rests
firmly against
the pavers. For
curved installa-
tion, bend and
contour the edging so it assumes the shape of
your design. Anchor PaveMaster
®
every 1 foot for
curved areas.
8. Finish: Sweep off excess sand. Make a
few more passes over your pavers with the plate
compactor. Sweep additional concrete sand (not
cement) into any gaps to create a dry mortar.
Keep making passes over the pavers and sweep-
ing sand into the gaps until all gaps are full.
Sweep off all excess sand. Backfill with dirt and
sod so that the anchors are covered and the lawn
is flush against the wall of pavement. You have
now finished your project! So take a walk down
your proud-to-do-it-yourself yellow brick road!
3. Layer Gravel Base: Preparation of
the base is very important and could determine
how long your pavement will last. If your base is
uneven, your pavement will be uneven too.
A depth of 3 to 6 inches of gravel base is advised
for installation in hard, stable soil that has
remained undisturbed by digging or backfilling for
at least 3 years. If the soil has been disturbed or
the conditions cannot be determined, use 6 to 12
inches of gravel base. (See Fig.1)
Base material consists of coarse gravel, no larger
than 3/4”, mixed with concrete sand (fine-grained
sand, not cement). Spread 2 inches of the gravel
base across the excavated area. Rake evenly, then
pack down with the plate compactor. Start at the
outer edges and work toward the center. Add
another 2 inches and repeat until the desired
height is reached. Never pack more than 2 inches
at a time. Keep the gravel base moist, but not
soggy, to help the material compact better.
4. Check Slope: While layering the gravel
base, maintain a proper slope to guide water away
from buildings! Place a 2 x 4 and level perpendicu-
lar to the house. Measure from the top of the
gravel base to the bottom of the 2 x 4. Create a
slope of 1 to 2 inches per 10 feet. (See Fig.2)
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Materials:
• Master Mark PaveMaster
®
• Pavers
• Master Mark Stake #’s: • Coarse Gravel
12103, 12109, 12120, • Concrete Sand
43130, 43303, or 43230 (not cement)
Equipment:
• Three 2’ x 4’ x 10’ boards • Flat Shovel
• Level • Rake (hard toothed)
• Tape Measure • Broom (stiff bristled)
• Wheelbarrow • Rubber Mallet
• Gloves & Eye Protection
Rentals:
• Masonry Saw
• Plate Compactor (3hp-5hp)
• Sod Kicker (if removing sod)