does the subbase need to be slightly sloped also or is that just the base and pavers? I'm confused as how you would dig the subbase and slope it evenly(if needed). And how many inches of base material can I get away with for pavers if I really want to skimp on materials for say a low traffic paver walkway and would does less than an inch of sand be ok?
yes, subsoil should mimic the slope of your patio +/- 3/8" over a 10 foot area. The base depth depends on your climate. If you have freeze thaw cycles then you should be at least 6" of base.
I enjoyed watching your videos. One thing I noticed is that you rarely stand on the operator platform while operating Toro mini skid steer. Is there any particular reason?
I love the video. Thank you so much. I have a question. Are aware if anyone has used floor mats similar to the foam board sold as the specific underlayment. I feel I can save even more money and material by using something similar to a gym floor mat and use a drill bit to place drainage holes through the panels.
Great video. I'm laying some pavers in a community garden at the entry. It's pedestrian use EXCEPT one day a year where a truck may back up over them to deliver soil for the garden. Is the drive way depth needed for that? If so I hope I have enough paver base 🤞
yes, for features no greater than 18" in height. so no for outdoor kitchens. Here is one we did with a gas fire feature: th-cam.com/video/fNP0O_8TDqo/w-d-xo.html I don't like using them for long walls though because if you are using the panels for your patio, they are laid on a slope. But walls need to be level. So you have to level sand on top of the panels to get your wall level and with a long run the bottom of your wall will end up higher than the top of your pavers.
We recently removed our deck to add a patio. We then found we had to seal the wooden basement walls. So someone came in dig out the walls and sealed. How do we pack the dirt now beside the house to continue with project? I’m hoping to have flower beds along the house and then patio. Or are we stuck letting it settle for a year? Location saskatoon Sask. farm yard. Clay.
Are the basement walls wooden? Ideally you would use a jumping jack compactor but being careful up against the foundation. Usually there is an area that we leave uncompacted along the foundation to avoid damage. Whenever we have to dig out a foundation and re-fill, we will just plan on about a one foot area from the foundation out to settle and we will just come back and lift and re-lay that over time.
Was considering removing my Asphalt driveway and replacing it with pavers. How would you tackle that? Is the base layer for asphalt typically good enough for pavers as well? Was also considering putting at least 1 inch of HPB once the asphalt is removed
We would tear out and re-do the base. Asphalt companies are typically just putting down gravel compacting and putting asphalt. We would put down geotextile and have two layers of geogrid in the base somewhere. Anything you do without replacing the base will just look like your asphalt driveway in terms of settlement
@@iamahardscaper Appreciate that. And if the asphalt hasn't settled too much (it's about 20 years old) is there a (even slight) chance I might be ok? Original plan was just to redo the asphalt - but the pavers that I did the walkway and courtyard with look so nice I'd rather do it all the same. With the courtyard / walkway, I did the geotextile and 8+ inches of HPB. I'm based in Toronto too (GTA) - what's the best way to get in touch for a quote?
It would be totally up to you. I’d recommend redoing it, but if you are confident in the base then you could proceed. You can reach out at everafterlandscaping@gmail.com Thank you 👍
Can base paver panels be used on top of limestone screenings, or do the screenings have to be dug out and replaced with three-quarter inch chip stone gravel?
I’d say if you are treating your screenings like your subsoil as if it is not going to drain, you would then install your nonwoven geotextile, HPB as your bedding layer, then your panels
Yep, this is why customers often think "wow that's way too expensive, I'll hire this guy that's half the price" and then by the following spring the patio is all over the place. I don't often excavate less than 10" for my patios in the GTA, often times closer to 12 just to be safe.
does the subbase need to be slightly sloped also or is that just the base and pavers? I'm confused as how you would dig the subbase and slope it evenly(if needed). And how many inches of base material can I get away with for pavers if I really want to skimp on materials for say a low traffic paver walkway and would does less than an inch of sand be ok?
yes, subsoil should mimic the slope of your patio +/- 3/8" over a 10 foot area. The base depth depends on your climate. If you have freeze thaw cycles then you should be at least 6" of base.
@@iamahardscaper how do you grade subsoil? Wouldn't it be too hard since you can't screed it?
@@iamahardscaper Also do you guys have to call the city to find out where all the utility lines are?
just take your time with the excavation and grading. whether you are using a machine or fine tuning. once you start, you will learn as you go with it.
Yes, always call before you dig
I enjoyed watching your videos. One thing I noticed is that you rarely stand on the operator platform while operating Toro mini skid steer. Is there any particular reason?
no particular reason, sometimes i do sometimes i dont. one we had for a bit, the platform was broken
I am making a 21 foot by 4 foot walkway in my backyard, I'm in Southern Indiana. Can I safely use a 3" paver base, and 1" paver sand.
If you are on clay you are likely needing 6” of base
I love the video. Thank you so much.
I have a question. Are aware if anyone has used floor mats similar to the foam board sold as the specific underlayment.
I feel I can save even more money and material by using something similar to a gym floor mat and use a drill bit to place drainage holes through the panels.
I probably wouldn’t. I don’t know how the pavers would sit on that or how long that would hold up
I do 12 to 14 inches for foot traffic. 18-24 for driveways
👍👍
Great video. I'm laying some pavers in a community garden at the entry. It's pedestrian use EXCEPT one day a year where a truck may back up over them to deliver soil for the garden. Is the drive way depth needed for that? If so I hope I have enough paver base 🤞
It is tough to say. You may get movement over the years from that truck. Especially on the edges if their truck goes on the borders.
Could you use the synthetic panels with features like seating, an outdoor kitchen, or gas fire pit?
yes, for features no greater than 18" in height. so no for outdoor kitchens.
Here is one we did with a gas fire feature: th-cam.com/video/fNP0O_8TDqo/w-d-xo.html
I don't like using them for long walls though because if you are using the panels for your patio, they are laid on a slope. But walls need to be level. So you have to level sand on top of the panels to get your wall level and with a long run the bottom of your wall will end up higher than the top of your pavers.
We recently removed our deck to add a patio. We then found we had to seal the wooden basement walls. So someone came in dig out the walls and sealed. How do we pack the dirt now beside the house to continue with project? I’m hoping to have flower beds along the house and then patio. Or are we stuck letting it settle for a year? Location saskatoon Sask. farm yard. Clay.
Are the basement walls wooden? Ideally you would use a jumping jack compactor but being careful up against the foundation. Usually there is an area that we leave uncompacted along the foundation to avoid damage. Whenever we have to dig out a foundation and re-fill, we will just plan on about a one foot area from the foundation out to settle and we will just come back and lift and re-lay that over time.
Your videos always have such great details! Thank you!
🙏
Was considering removing my Asphalt driveway and replacing it with pavers. How would you tackle that?
Is the base layer for asphalt typically good enough for pavers as well?
Was also considering putting at least 1 inch of HPB once the asphalt is removed
We would tear out and re-do the base. Asphalt companies are typically just putting down gravel compacting and putting asphalt. We would put down geotextile and have two layers of geogrid in the base somewhere. Anything you do without replacing the base will just look like your asphalt driveway in terms of settlement
@@iamahardscaper Appreciate that. And if the asphalt hasn't settled too much (it's about 20 years old) is there a (even slight) chance I might be ok?
Original plan was just to redo the asphalt - but the pavers that I did the walkway and courtyard with look so nice I'd rather do it all the same. With the courtyard / walkway, I did the geotextile and 8+ inches of HPB.
I'm based in Toronto too (GTA) - what's the best way to get in touch for a quote?
It would be totally up to you. I’d recommend redoing it, but if you are confident in the base then you could proceed.
You can reach out at everafterlandscaping@gmail.com
Thank you 👍
This is golden information! Great summary of all considerations when excavating
Thank you! 🙏
best place to get paver pannels?
Most landscape supply stores should have access to them
Can base paver panels be used on top of limestone screenings, or do the screenings have to be dug out and replaced with three-quarter inch chip stone gravel?
Screenings are a big no-no🫣
💯
I’d say if you are treating your screenings like your subsoil as if it is not going to drain, you would then install your nonwoven geotextile, HPB as your bedding layer, then your panels
Didn't realize I needed to go thaaaaaat deep....great video brother!
It’s DEEEEP.
Thanks man 🙏
Yep, this is why customers often think "wow that's way too expensive, I'll hire this guy that's half the price" and then by the following spring the patio is all over the place. I don't often excavate less than 10" for my patios in the GTA, often times closer to 12 just to be safe.
💯
Love this ❤️
Thank you!