[D Rapp]

I am building a raised brick paver patio that I have some questions. The raised patio will be a landing from a patio door, 18 inches tall, about 4 feet by 4 feet with curved steps (3 steps). I will be using Unilock Brussels Dimension blocks for the steps and the wall blocks for the patio. My salesman told me to use the adhesive for the wall blocks and the steps blocks. My question is, should I use the adhesive around the perimeter of the patio and on the soldier paver as the edging? If I use the adhesive on the perimeter, I wonder if the vibrating compactor will break the adhesive.

[Stonehenge]

Moved to homeowner forum

[Bill Schwab]

Without knowing the brand of adhesive you have, it is hard to say exactly, but assuming the adhesive works as well as any of the Surebond products, once it sets up, the concrete will peel apart before the adhesive lets go.

[ianc]

no need to glue the soldier paver border - just the wall/steps
might want to inlay a paver to add to the tread width (att pic) - those steps can be nasty

[D Rapp]

WOW, These are my steps. Well I hope my steps look like these. Are these Brussel Dimension blocks?. I know you have colder weather than I, but how much base do you have under the walls and pavers? Are the riser blocks resting on the base or do you have more blocks under them?

Thanks guys

[Stonehenge]

D Rapp - please provide your geographic area - easier to advise on prep methods/amounts that way.

[D Rapp]

Stonehenge,

I am located in central Illinois.

[Stonehenge]

D Rapp - will the soldier course also be sitting on Brussels Dimensional Stone? If so, then yes, adhesive will be needed. If it's just sitting on the base prep, no adhesive is needed.

As for depth of base, we like somewhere between 6-8" or more depending on the situation.

One of the biggest mistakes I see time and time again with homeowners tackling their own projects is neglecting embedment of block. Your bottom course of block for any wall should be sitting below grade - so often I see walls where the bottom course is sitting atop several inches of stone and is several inches above grade. Predictably, the wall moves and fails within a year.

Make sure you don't duplicate this misstep or you'll find yourself having to rebuild in a year.