LAYING STEPPING STONES & PAVING
Stepping stones and paving slabs/blocks come in a variety of shapes, materials, textures and colours. Choose the ones that best suit your requirements and the style of your property.
Why use them? - Stepping stones are usually laid to protect areas (particularly lawns) from wear and tear caused by continuous walking. Paving is used for laying paths, driveways/ hard-standing areas (for cars etc) or simply lifestyle enhancement.
How to lay them - It is always best to produce a layout plan to ensure economical use of materials and to pre-plan for difficulties such as what to do with lying water, drainage pipes, manhole covers or where to allow for a gentle fall to take rainwater away from the house. You can make yourself aware of the measurements of the area(s) to be paved and so calculate how many stepping stones/pavers you require. You can also use it to experiment with different textures, sizes and patterns.
Stepping Stones - Decide on the direction you want the path to take. Lay out the stepping stones on the lawn so that you can see how they look and test the distances between them to provide an easy walk (the average stride is 45cm from the centre of one stone to the next). Once you are happy mark the position of the stones (either slice into the turf to provide an outline or sprinkle some sand around the edge of the stone to mark the shape). Remove the stone and dig out the earth within the outline to ensure that it eventually sits about 2.5cms above the ground once you have put in the sand/sub-base. Make sure that it fits comfortably and does not rock as it is stepped on. Fill in the area around the stone with soil and tamp it firmly. When you have laid the path ensure that all the stones are level by laying a board across them and check using a spirit level. Use a rubber mallet for tamping the stones into place. Over time you will probably find that the stones settle and sink. Simply lift them and add some soil or sand to restore the levels.
Paving - Mark out the corners of the area you want to pave with stakes and run string between them at the level you want the paving to be. Use a spirit level to set the initial line and then adjust the string to allow for a small slope so that rainwater can run away from the house (approximately 12mm for every 3m). Remove the topsoil to a depth that will accommodate a bed of sand/sub-base (25mm thick for foot traffic and 50mm for heavy traffic and cars) plus the thickness of the pavers. Level and firm the ground (add gravel to soft spots), then compact the surface (use a compactor for large areas). Lay a timber framework around the area driving in stakes behind them and ensure that the tops of the boards are level to act as a guide for levelling the surface. Use river sand, sharp sand or sub base metal, which should be laid slightly damp. Screed the surface of the sand to get an even, flat layer of base material working on 3m areas at a time. Lay your pavers from the corner and work outwards (if working on a slope start from the bottom and work up). Place the pavers on the sand bed, flush with each other, allowing a 2-4mm gap (to be filled with sand later). Regularly test that they are level in a 360 degree rotation, using a spirit level, a board and a rubber mallet to tamp them down. (Hire a ‘wacker plate’ to settle the pavers for areas larger than 25 square metres).
To cut the pavers, mark your line and then use a mash (or club) hammer and bolster to form a groove on both sides of the paving slab/block, then cut with a sharp blow. Finally when all the pavers have been laid cover the surface with a mixture of 4 parts clean, dry sand and 1 part cement and sweep into the cracks until all have been filled. Brush off the excess and spray with a little water (you will probably have to repeat this process). Fix a border as required for retention or for decoration.
Bunnings can help you with all of this, so come and speak to us!
Information provided by Jim Wolger, DIY Presenter, Bunnings Warehouse North Shore.