Maintaining My Home

replace with pavers that are more suitable for the loads

prise up the existing pavers using an old screwdriver. If this is difficult, start with the one with the widest joints on all sides, remove that one and then continue to lift all the pavers

remove loose soil or poorly compacted basecourse

be aware that with pavers laid beside a house, the pavers must be at least 100 mm below the floor level of the concrete slab (with brick veneer cladding) or 150 mm below (with other cladding types)

place new gravel basecourse (AP40) to a depth of approximately 70–100 mm and compact to the required level using a vibrating compactor – these can be hired. Wear strong boots and use appropriate eye and hearing protection. Where pavers are beside a house, make sure there is a slight fall away from the house in the basecourse so rain hitting the paving will drain away from the house

place 3–5 mm of clean fine sand blinding over the area to be repaved and compact by tamping down. Level off to the correct height with a float or short screed board

lay the new pavers and tap them down flush with each other with a rubber-headed hammer or similar

spread dry, clean fine sand over the pavers and sweep into the joints. Proprietary products that lock pavers in place are also available

if required, narrow concrete haunching around the edge of the pavers will hold them in place