Before construction starts on homeowner’s new paver patio


Installing the paver patio begins


The area will be excavated to firm ground.
A woven geotextile fabric will be laid to prevent aggregate from settling into the ground.


The excavated area will be backfilled and compacted every 2 inches, until a six inch base is achieved.
A thin layer of crushed limestone will be laid on the base.


The pavers will be laid and edging will be installed around the perimeter.
High quality polymeric sand will be swept into joints. Water is applied to the polymeric sand to harden the sand to the touch. This prevents sand erosion which is destructive to the patio (also prevents weed growth). Hard sand is vital for the durability of your paver patio. Compacting the finish product will lock the pavers in place. A sealer can be applied for uv protection. Wet look sealers are also available.
The MLH Design & Build Installation Process for Paver Patio, Paver Driveways, Paver Sidewalks Exceeds all Manufacture Specifications
Four important factors in the construction of paver patios are Sub-Grade Compaction, Paver Foundation & Compaction, Drainage Bed & Edging, and the Grouting of the Paver Joints.
Compaction ensures pavers stay smooth & level. Compaction is the process of apply energy to soil or other materials in order to increase there density and load bearing capacity. Benefits of proper compaction are increase load bearing capacity, prevention of settlement of material, decreases water seepage; reduce swelling & contraction of material in Northern climate freeze thaw cycle.
Sub-Grade Compaction: soil must be virgin or undisturbed to adequately support load of pavers. If there are areas of the sub-grade that have been disturbed or are loose they will be removed or compacted through impact force to ensure that these areas have adequately load bearing capacity. So not to settle.
Paver Foundation & Compaction: MLH First lays a Geotextile Fabric down for added soil stabilization and to prevent sub-grade from contaminating limestone base. A base of #304 Limestone will be laid in two inch layers and compacted through impact & vibration force to achieve proper density. This process will be repeated until a minimal base of six inches is achieved (paver driveways base 12 inches deep). MLH has now created a foundation that can support the load of the pavers.
A drainage bed of #9 limestone (not sand) is laid ¾ inch deep (advantages of #9 limestone vs. sand: allows for more drainage, larger particle size doesn’t move or wash out, insects prefer sand). The pavers will then be laid at a slope of ¼ inch per foot to allow rain water to run off patio and not to puddle. An edging is installed around perimeter to hold the pavers in place. The pavers are now compacted through vibration force using a plate compactor. MLH uses a rubber membrane on the plate compactor to protect the newly installed paver surfaces.
Grouting the Paver Joints
Standard Method- concrete sand is swept into paver joints. Recommended for Pavers with small joint gaps (1/8 to ¼ of an inch). Not recommended for above grade applications.
Polymeric Sand- Polymeric sand is a mixture of polymer binders and calibrated sand. Polymeric sand is swept into the paver joint gaps. Water is then applied in very small amounts to activate the polymer binders. After curing polymeric sand will become hard to the touch preventing sand erosion, insects, and weed growth. Recommended for pavers with small to medium joint gaps (1/8 to ½ inch)
Liquid Joint Stabilizer & Sealer-Liquid Joint Stabilizer & Sealer is a single component epoxy modified liquid. Bagged dry mason sand is swept into the paver joint gaps. The liquid joint stabilizer & sealer is then flooded on the paver surface and squeegee into paver joints gaps. After curing liquid joint stabilizer & sealer hardens the paver joint gaps to the touch preventing sand erosion, insects, and weed growth. While also sealing and protecting the paver surface from stains, fading, and moisture absorption. Recommended for pavers with small to wide joint gaps (1/8 to 1 inch). Recommended for above grade applications.
Easy Pro by Unilock- Easy Pro by Unilock is an epoxy based joint sand. Water is applied to the joint sand to activate the epoxy. Joint sand is then squeegee into the paver joint gaps. After curing Easy Pro by Unilock becomes hard to the touch preventing sand erosion, insects, and weed growth. Recommended for pavers with medium to extra wide joint gaps (1/4 to 4 inches). Recommended for above grade applications.