Interlock Patios/Walkways
Bluewater Stone - Sarnia Lambton's Top Patio Installation Company
What's Under Our Patios?
We install our patios to manufacture specs. 4-6” of crushed aggregate base, compacted with a gas-powered plate compactor followed by 1-2 " of screening for the leveling process. The next step is paver installation, concreting edges in, and lastly poly sanding the joints of your new patio. (more detailed info provided below)
Setting Heights Based on the Grade of Your Property
The first step to installing a patio is to evaluate the level of your property. This is the most important step in figuring out the height of your new paver project. This will determine everything else moving forward. Besides, understanding the elevation of your property is crucial for a successful patio installation. Patio installers near me recognize the significance of this stage. Once we know our starting height, we will add “pitch” to the pavers; we like to add 1.5” every 10ft pitched away from your home. This will ensure proper water run-off and make sure the patio does not feel like a ramp. As a result, your patio will be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, creating a space you’ll love to enjoy.
Excavation, Removal of Soil or Debris in the Area of Your New Paver Project
Now that the heights are set the crew can start to excavate. From the height of our string line, we dig down 8-10 inches. All the soil we excavate will be carted away. With that complete and all the soil removed, the crew will check one last time to confirm their heights and then start compacting the ground. This will help prevent settling.
We Then start to fill the area with RCA. Recycled concrete aggregate, is what we use as a subbase for all residential. The RCA is installed in “lifts” meaning we fill the area with 2-3” of the base, compact it, and then repeat until we reach the top of our forms. Once we have achieved a satisfactory amount of subbase it is time to add fine screening. The sand will get spread over our RCA subbase, tamped, and then screeded out to a smooth finish.
Setting Up to Install Pavers
Once the sand is ready we can set up our square lines. When you lay pavers, the joints in between each paver create bond lines, when setting up the patio we want to ensure it is “square” with your home or any other designated and stationary structure in that area. This is proper construction etiquette and most visually appealing to the eye. Our team is trained to lay pavers first and borders after.
The border is where you will get a chance to add a pop of color to your project. The possibilities are endless, ranging from the same color border as your patio, an accent color, or even a double border. Once all pavers are laid the patio is in its final phase of completion.
Final Stages to Paver Construction
What we do next is add a concrete edge to the perimeter of the patio that is exposed. This concrete edge is a restraint and keeps the pavers from shifting out of place. The concrete is set about 1 inch below the top of the paver and then gets covered by topsoil.
To fill in all the joints between the pavers we use polymeric sand. This process is where we sweep the sand into the joints and after proper installation and adding water the sand will set to a hard finish. Ultimately locking out weeds and helping keep the pavers together.
Paver Sealants
You may say to yourself you love the way the colors look when the patio is wet. Some sealers can leave the pavers with that look. However, to seal your patio you will need to wait at least 1 year to seal it. The reason for the wait is to allow the efflorescence to come out of the pavers. Please contact us if you would like a detailed explanation of efflorescence.