Mistakes when laying paving slabs
When starting work, it is important to take into account the technical characteristics of the material used. These include strength, wear resistance and the ability to withstand a certain temperature regime. The operating conditions of the finished road surface are certainly taken into account. Failure to comply with these conditions can lead to premature wear and the need for replacement. Regarding the direct process of laying paving slabs, the following five potential errors should be noted:
1. Incorrect preparation of the base
The material should be laid on a layer of concrete, sand or crushed stone. The process itself involves preliminary removal of the topsoil from the area being treated, 80-150 mm on each side to secure the curbs. If the site is very sloped, it is recommended to use sand as a cushion.
2. Pre-installation of curbs
This is one of the most common mistakes. Borders are installed only after the exact shape and size of the tiles to be used have been specified. Otherwise, the material will have to be cut to fit the required parameters, which increases the amount of work and makes the result unsightly.
3. Lack of drainage for moisture
Unfortunately, inexperienced craftsmen often forget about drainage and water disposal systems. This leads to the formation of puddles on the paved area. The lack of slope adjustment provokes soil erosion and water absorption into the paving slabs, which leads to their destruction.
4. Incorrect calculation of the amount of material
It is better to buy paving slabs in reserve – within 5-7% of the total quantity. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, there is always a possibility of defective products in the batch. Secondly, during the work, circumstances may arise that lead to the damage of a certain amount of tiles.
5. Incorrect grouting
The joints should be filled with sand only. In no case should you use a sand-cement mixture, which will leave heavy dirt on the surface. Cleaning the area will take a lot of time and effort.
As an alternative to applying the solution, you can use a special mixture consisting of fine crushed stone screenings and soil with grass seeds in equal proportions. In this case, the paving slabs will fit perfectly into the landscape design.
Tips from the pros on how to avoid problems when laying paving slabs
The installation of the main material is carried out in stages. In this case, you should adhere to the following work plan:
- Preparation. Paving slabs and tools are selected, a diagram of the placement of paths and sites is drawn up.
- Marking the territory. The required slope is created taking into account the height control, markings are formed using pegs, the outline of each path and zone is outlined.
- Preparation of the base. The layer of soil with vegetation is removed, the ground is leveled, geotextiles are laid if necessary to create waterproofing, a "pie" is created for laying the main material.
- Laying paving slabs. Along the edge of the site, a curbstone is fixed on a concrete pad, then a sand-cement mixture is poured, after which the tiles are laid.
Upon completion of the laying, it is necessary to go over the paved surface with a vibrating plate for tight ramming. The final stage is filling the seams with sand.
