Laying Pavers into Gravel

Cookie_Monster

We're putting down a number of pavers to act as step along a lime chip border surrounding the house, about 1.4m wide at its widest, but variable. Pavers are spaced out 25cm from each other in a line basically.

The ground they're being laid on it pretty dense clay and quite hard to get an accurate level on without a lot of work.

What's the best way to place the pavers down to securely level them? While I would put down a layer of sand if doing a patio it seems a bit pointless in this case and a lot of sand to cover the entire area. Is it worth putting a layer of sand just under each paver? My wife just wants to let them settle naturally though I think the ground is to hard for this to happen.

Putting a weedmat down as part of the process as well to prevent weeds and help keep the gravel cleaner, rather than settling into the ground over time. If a sand layer is the way to go, is on top of the matting a better idea or not?

Cookie_Monster

anybody? before I go and do it wrong :pac:

TopTec

CM, the only way to securely lay single pavers is onto a mortar bed on a suitable sub-base. Laying them onto bare clay is asking for trouble as clay will swell and shrink. It will be an eyesore in the not too distant future. Likewise pavers are designed to hold each other into place so leaving any gap between will mean they move unless fixed with mortar.

If the step is only 1400 wide then I would put down a thick mortar base, place the pavers down and level with a 4 X 2 and spirit level and a soft mallet.

I never used weed mats or landscaping fabric for pavers, any weed growth can be controlled easily enough with a good glyphosate weed killer.

Best of luck.

TT