What are the mistakes when laying paving slabs?
In fact, there can be a lot of mistakes when laying paving stones. These include the wrong choice of materials, inaccurate calculations, and violations of laying technology. However, among them, it is worth noting the five most common ones.
1. Improper preparation of the base
This is the initial stage of work, on which the final result depends. To form the correct base to prevent uneven load on the surface, it is necessary to optimally select the base layer, which can be concrete or crushed stone. The second option is more economical, capable of passing water well. Concrete is more expensive and is distinguished by its extreme strength. Additional layers are most often made of sand and may involve laying geotextiles. Poor soil compaction and the absence of geotextiles lead to the germination of plants between the paving slabs.
2. Premature installation of curbs
Their installation is recommended only after you have decided on the shape and dimensions of the tile. Otherwise, it will have to be cut often during the work. At the beginning, it is necessary to lay out several rows of paving stones to determine the exact distance of the edge, and only then lay the curb. Another mistake in this direction is the lack of curbstone. Without it, the area will not have a finished look, and the paving slabs themselves will "creep" over time.
3. Lack of tile sealing
Ignoring this process over time leads to sand washing out of the joints and deformation of the surface. During work, a special rubber hammer is used, which seals the tiles well together.
4. Absence of slopes along and across
Slope violation is a problem that causes puddles to form on the surface after rain and melting snow. At the same time, the tile itself constantly absorbs water, gradually collapsing over time. The reason for this is improper drainage on the surface and the lack of a drainage system. In this case, the slope should be made with an indicator of 5 mm per meter, directing them away from the building.
5. Grouting joints with a cement-based mixture
Using a low-quality cement and sand mortar will ruin the front surface of the tile – it is simply impossible to wash it afterwards. Therefore, the seams must be sprinkled with dry sand, tamping it with a broom or a rake – it will ensure that the coating is connected into a single whole.
Don't repeat these mistakes!
Even the best expensive paving slabs may not meet expectations if they are installed incorrectly. The rules that experienced craftsmen adhere to will help to make the final result as high-quality as possible:
- carefully select tile options - using poor-quality material will lead to rapid damage to the coating;
- tamping is performed only on a dry surface, in the direction from the edge to the center - after this, the tile subsidence occurs by about 1 cm;
- the seams are filled with sand and spilled with water immediately after tamping - this is done in several stages;
- it is imperative to use a level and tape measure in the work - failure to comply with the level during installation causes a "wavy" surface of the coating and the absence of slopes;
- the tiles must be laid from a corner or key point close to the entrance - this will allow you to get a neater look for the entire surface;
- before use, the finished coating should dry well for several days.
In conclusion, it is worth giving one more piece of advice to those who doubt their ability to perform the installation themselves. In order to avoid mistakes when laying paving slabs, it is worth ordering high-quality materials and entrusting the main work to trusted companies.
