How to Install Concrete Pavers | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough helps an expecting couple install a concrete paver patio

Time: 12-14 hours
Cost: $2500 and up, depending on size and materials
Skill Level: Difficult

Tools:

Shopping List:

Resources:

Compactors can be rented at most home centers and landscape supply stores.

The other materials Mark used, including pack, concrete sand, and polymeric sand can be purchased at landscape supply stores.

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This Old House is America’s first and most trusted home improvement show. Each season, we renovate two different historic homes—one step at a time—featuring quality craftsmanship and the latest in modern technology. We demystify home improvement and provide ideas and information so, whether you are doing it yourself or hiring out contractors, you’ll know the right way to do things or the questions to ask. Our experts including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor give you the tools you need to protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How to Install Concrete Pavers | Ask This Old House

[ChimpityChoo]

Man, these guys are good. I took me a couple of days to install my pavers. They did the job in less than 8 minutes.

[garya]

It’s a good practice to use a leaf blower to blow off any polymeric sand from the top of the pavers before wetting it in. If not, you’ll get a haze on the pavers.

[cbalan]

Once the grass grows back in around the pavers it will look even better.

[belaMajstor]

If you want to make sure that a large surface is square you shouldn't use 30-40cm square tool. You need to measure the diagonals, and if they are equal you have the 90 degrees angle.

[BB-uztc]

This old house reminds me of my Dad. You guys are amazing just like he was.. Stay handsome fellas.

[sphoto]

Brutal install. Use some rails to guide your screed bar. Don’t pre compact your sand. Don’t waste your time with the mallet. Install the pavers, sweep them in and then run the compactor over the whole thing. Sweep again to fill the joints. Blow off the surface with a leaf blower to remove any residue prior to watering.

[Cpickerel]

I love the pavers, love the process. Can't really wrap my brain around why you would leave that little patch of grass by the door though. Bring that patio all the way to the foundation and all the way to the edge of the house. Guaranteed they will go back later and fix that!

[coalminerbob]

Very helpful for the patio I'm doing. Been doing a lot of digging and leveling but wanted to watch something before doing my base layer and laying pavers. Greatly appreciated!

[brg]

I know some of you may think just scraping the sand with the screed like this is fine, but for the last 10 years, i have always used 1 inch screed pipe guides. Making sure its all level perfectly.

[Zack-dkpt]

the sand base should never be thicker than 1 inch. use a 1 inch pvc pipe or similar that is perfectly level and pitched how you want then screed the sand using the two pipes as a guide. if the sand is perfectly level as it should be then you can simply place the pavers without hitting them with the mallet which disturbs and shifts the sand. install the locking edge then run a compacter over the pavers to set them in place and follow up with the locking sand. these tricks and vital info not shown in this video will not only save you hours of labor but will also create a longer lasting patio, walkway or whatever.

[mariafriend]

These guys are gangsters! They made that pregnant woman shovel that dirt! I did a small area in my back yardage had to take lots of breaks, it’s hard on your back... then Christy came back and spread the sand and hosed down the pavers!! “Ok”, what a trooper.

[John-lrdz]

Wish they showed the initial method to ensure the subsoil was level. I'll assume same method as the sand. Great job and finished product! :)

[AndrewJJ-]

Mark: So I've discovered the meaning of life, and it's fascinating.

Christie: *ok*

[jasonw]

I love how the patio foundation went from shovels of uneven dirt to automatically leveling itself out by running a compactor over reality this takes a while along with the sand leveling, you need to layout a weed fabric sheet, otherwise you’ll have a grass patio in one or two years.

[rainking]

I watched a lot of videos on this and this is the best one for me. Very simple concepts and clear execution. Thank you, This Old House!

[jb_]

one step missing .. fabric to block weeds before the layer of gravel .... excellent video ! i may have used a sod cutter to ease the dig in ....

[TonyStark-xlxr]

This is the first place I've seen where they compact the setting bed of sand.

[don]

I always recommend the patio to go right off the house to prevent future foundation damage from water. And I use stoned dust instead of yellow sand but both work. And using 3/4 inch pipes would make it easier to level the sand.

[KellySKline]

Perfect timing! Been digging for the past few weekends getting ready for an extension of our patio. Thank you for this helpful video!

[serenababy]

Thank you for listing all details like cost, time and level of difficulty etc. Very helpful info!