Is a Base Really Necessary?

When installing any hardscape project whether it may be a retaining wall, patio or walkway, you expect the time and effort spent to result in many years of enjoyment.

So many times do I see do-it-yourselfers and some contractors for that matter skimp on the foundation of any great hardscape project. Just remember as you begin to build the lifestyle of your dreams in your backyard, the beauty is only going to last as long as the foundation it sits on.

Especially in Texas, we have a lot of clay soils. While these clay like soils are tough to dig and represent a hard, stable ground, they are all but not. Not to get too scientific, clay like soils act in a "heaving" and "contracting" matter. This means that as the soils absorb water they grow and swell. Being consisted mainly of clay, these soils tend to hold the water for long lengths of time, which in turn makes the soils moveable and very unstable.

In every installation whether it be a patio or retaining wall, a compacted base is neccessary. The material you use for a base may vary from project to project. For instance if you are looking to do a large flagstone patio where you plan to entertain and dine, you may want to pour a "scratch" cement base using Portland cement. However, if you are looking to do a concrete paver instead, then the base of choice would result in using a compacted aggregate and a bedding layer of sand.

While the material used for a base will result in the project and product being used, it is safe to say that any and all hardscape projects need to first be planned accordingly as well as taking all of the neccessary steps to ensure that the project will stand the test of time and offer many years of enjoyment. With the proper base preparation to any project, you will be loving your landscape worry free year after year.

For additional assistance in figuring the proper base material for your project or if you are seeking help to determine estimating or choosing product, please give us a call at 800-648-4551 or visit our website http://www.whiz-q.com/. We will be glad to help you Build the Lifestyle of Your Dreams.

-Derek Whisenand

How To Install a Paver Patio

Step 1: Prepare Gravel Base

The first step to creating a paver patio is locating all underground utilities. This can be done by contacting your local utility company. Once all of the utilities have been marked, make an outline of the area you wish to have pavers. After locating the areas you wish to pave and marking out your area, excavate the entire area to a depth of 7 - 7 ½”. This will allow for 4” of a compacted gravel base, 1” of uncompacted sand, and 2 ½” for the concrete pavers. Lay the base material over the entire area 2” at a time, rake smooth, and compact to a level surface with a hand tamp or a vibratory compactor.

Step 2: Add Sand

After the entire base is compacted smooth in 2” increments, the next area is to lay sand over the entire area of a depth of 1”. This will be an uncompacted “cushion” or leveling agent to lay the pavers on. Shovel sand over the entire area and use a straight 2” x 4” to smooth out the surface. Once the sand has been smoothed or “screeded” do not walk on it or disturb it in any way.

Step 3: Lay Pavers

Starting at one end, begin laying the pavers in any type of pattern you choose. For best results, try to lay the pavers in a diagonal fashion. Not only will this keep the pavers tight, but it will also help to keep your lines straight as you go along. Continue to lay the pavers until you have completely laid the entire area, less the places that will require cutting. For any irregular spaces, it may be necessary to use a chisel or masonry saw to cut pieces to fit.

Step 4: Install Edging

Once the pavers have been cut and fitted to the area, the next step is to add the edge restraint. The edge restraint is what holds the entire patio together and prevents the pavers from shifting apart from one another. To do this you can either use concrete or an aluminum edging.

The preferred method is an aluminum edging as it is easier to use and lasts longer than conventional metal or plastic edgings. To do this, measure and cut the edging to the required length to secure the edge of the paver area. When installing this edging, make sure that the edging is sitting on the gravel base below because the sand is not secure enough to hold the edging in place. Secure the edging with 12” spiral landscape spikes, making sure that you are spiking the edging into the gravel base and not the regular soil. This ensures that the edging will remain secure and prevent your pavers from moving laterally.

Step 5: Compact Pavers

The next step is to compact the entire paver area using a vibratory plate compactor. The reason for compacting over the pavers is to ensure that the pavers are settled in the sands below, preventing them from moving around. Do this by taking the vibratory plate compactor over the entire area one time (**do not use the vibratory plate compactor on patio stones or when overlaying a concrete patio).

Step 6: Fill Joints

Once the pavers have been compacted, the next step is to use Techniseal Polymeric Sand over the entire area. Polymeric Sand is a revolutionary technology being used by installers and paver manufacturers around the globe. It helps to deter weed growth and sand washouts in the sand joints between the pavers.

Do this by spreading a thin layer of sand over the entire area and using a push broom to sweep the sand into the paver joints. This will help to lock the pavers into each other creating what is called “interlock.”

Step 7: Compact Pavers (Again)

That’s correct. The vibratory plate compactor is used once more over the entire area, this time forcing the sand from above down into the joints. Once the area has been passed over by the plate compactor one time, you can then sweep the sand over the area to fill voided areas between the pavers. After each paver has sand between them, you can sweep the remaining sand off the area.

Step 8: Activate Polymeric Sand

Once the paver joints have been completely filled with sand, use a small leaf blower to remove any excess dust off the surface of the patio. This ensures that the polymeric sand dust doesn’t remain on the surface, activating with the addition of water.

Now spray the entire area with a water hose and a spray nozzle. Be sure to follow the instructions for activating the Polymeric Sand that is printed on the outside of the bag.

Once the polymeric sand is activated, stay off the surface for 24 hours.
If you have any questions on laying your own paver patio or any other hardscape project, visit our website at http://www.whiz-q.com/ or give a call: 800-648-4551.

-Derek Whisenand

Fall Weekend Seminars You Asked and We Delivered!

Back by popular demand, we have decided to kick off another series of Weekend Seminars. We have been putting together Weekend Seminars for the past 4 years and have decided to extend a new series for the fall!

So beat the heat and come and see us starting September 12 as we will conduct another series of our popular FREE Weekend Seminars! Call Us today of visit our website to sign up! (http://www.whiz-q.com)

The Schedule is as follows:

Saturday September 12, 2009 - How to Build a Backyard Water Garden

Join the team and professionals from Whiz-Q Stone to kick off the first ever Fall Edition of the Weekend Seminar series. In the debut seminar, learn the ins and out to building your own backyard water feature using the Aquascape Ecosystem. From start to finish, you will learn how to plan, excavate, build, and care for you pond, fish, and plant life. We will host this class at 10:00am on Saturday, September 12, 2009. So come and enjoy this FREE Seminar!
WHEN: Saturday, September 12, 2009

WHERE: Whiz-Q Stone in Fort Worth

TIME: 10:00am

COST: FREE


INSTRUCTOR: Matt Reed - Whiz-Q Stone

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Saturday September 19, 2009 - How to Build a Retaining Wall
Join Whiz-Q Stone as we show you how to successfully install a retaining wall using both natural stone and Pavestone retaining wall products. This is the only class where you will be able to see both installed in front of you! We will first be using a Pavestone retaining wall block and discuss and show base and drainage preparations as well as stacking and cutting the stones. Following the Pavestone dimenstration, we will move onto installing a natural stone retaining wall using natural stone and mortar! Come and join us as this is on of the most innovative ways in learning how to build a retaining wall using more than just one product!
WHEN: Saturday, September 19, 2009

WHERE: Whiz-Q Stone in Fort Worth

TIME: 10:00am

COST: FREE


INSTRUCTOR: Derek Whisenand- Whiz-Q Stone & Steve Akin - Pavestone Compay

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Saturday September 26, 2009 - How to Build a Rain Harvesting Patio
Be a part of the Green Movement and join Whiz-Q Stone as we teach homeowners how to install their own Rainwater Harvesting Patio. Yes that's correct! We will teach you how to build a rainwater catch system that is stored underneath your patio where it is hidden and out of site. This concept is rapidly growing in popularity and has been featured by Whiz-Q in many different magazines and trade shows around the state and nation. Come join us and learn how the system works and watch as a system is installed right in front of your eyes!
WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 2009

WHERE: Whiz-Q Stone in Fort Worth

TIME: 10:00am

COST: FREE


INSTRUCTOR: Matt Reed - Whiz-Q Stone & Trey Bradley - Environmental Enhancement

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Saturday October 3, 2009 - How to Build a Flagstone Patio or Walkway
Flagstone is widely known for making beautiful walkways and patios. Whether is be irregular, squared, or tumbled, flagstone brings natural to any landscape. Join us as we teach you from start to finish how to install Flagstone for a walkway or a patio. With the help of a professional mason, we will teach the various techniques used in flagstone installation. Learn how to install flagstone using decomposed granite, mortar, as well as polymeric sand. we will make sure we leave "no stone unturned" in this class!

WHEN: Saturday, October 3, 2009

WHERE: Whiz-Q Stone in Fort Worth

TIME: 10:00am

COST: FREE

INSTRUCTOR: Derek Whisenand - Whiz-Q Stone & John Grady - Grady Masonry

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Saturday October 10, 2009 - How to Build a Pondless Waterfall
Winding streams, splashes of water, and the beauty of the sound of running water.... without the pond! Join us as we build a pondless water fall from the ground up using the Aquascape Pondless Waterfall system. Why a Pondless? With a pondless, there is less maintenance, less worry of standing water, and it does not require a great deal of space for the water basin. Learn the benefits of having a Pondless waterfall and the secrets to building it right.
WHEN: Saturday, October 10, 2009

WHERE: Whiz-Q Stone in Fort Worth

TIME: 10:00am

COST: FREE


INSTRUCTOR: Matt Reed - Whiz-Q Stone & Trey Bradley - Environmental Enhancement

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Saturday October 17, 2009 - How to Build a Pavestone Patio

Pavers have long been the choice for driveways, patios, walkways, and any other hard surface. Learn the beauty pavers can create the the installation methods to putting them in. With our FREE seminar, we will show you the ins and outs to base preparation, tools used, paver patterns, and paver selection. Join us as we will create an entire patio right in front of you!
WHEN: Saturday, October 17, 2009

WHERE: Whiz-Q Stone in Fort Worth

TIME: 10:00am

COST: FREE

INSTRUCTOR: Derek Whisenand- Whiz-Q Stone & Steve Akin - Pavestone Compay

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Saturday October 24, 2009 - How to Build a Backyard Water Garden
Back for Round #2 in the Fall Season! Learn the ins and out to building your own backyard water feature using the Aquascape Ecosystem. From start to finish, you will learn how to plan, excavate, build, and care for you pond, fish, and plant life.
WHEN: Saturday, September 12, 2009

WHERE: Whiz-Q Stone in Fort Worth

TIME: 10:00am

COST: FREE

INSTRUCTOR: Matt Reed - Whiz-Q Stone & Trey Bradley - Environmental Enhancement