[Jenwestie]

Hi!

First off, thanks for this great website! I know it's geared towards professionals, and it's really nice you let us DIYer's ask questions.

I'm in Wisconsin, zone 5, planning to install a paver walkway this spring.

So here's what I am planning. I have a walkway between my house and garage, 7.5 X 12 feet. the walkway will be surrounded on 3 sides by the house foundation, garage foundation, and the driveway. The other side will be grass.

I have yet to pick out the pavers, so I won't know exactly how far to dig down quite yet.

I was hoping you could give a thumbs up or down on my plan. Plus when is the earliest I could install the walkway in my area?

1. I would excavate to the appropriate depth, making sure my the ground is pitched appropriately and flat.

2. I have clay surrounding the house, so I believe I should be putting down a geotextile layer of some sort here?

3. Add crushed stone 2 inches at a time and compact it. Keeping the appropriate grade. For a total of 6 inches.

4. Add 1" sand, keeping grade.

5. Install pavers, sweep sand into cracks and compact.

Thanks for your input!

[ckcland]

HI jenwestie,

Your on the right path.
1)Your excavation should be around 8" deep
2) definately use seperation fabric. Its cheap insurance.
3)check your pitch at each point in the process. 1/4" per foot is the generl rule. Also, check for gutters around pathway. You dont want water to be flowing over the walkway. If you have a gutter downspout you will need to redirect or run under project.
4)If you use a vibrating plate compactor the general rule is tamping in 4" lifts. ALthough two inches wouldnt hurt.
5) use concrete sand for screeding. It compacts better.
6) use polymere sand on top, will not wash away.
7) Also, put spikes in every 12" and use a durable edging restraint.

Good luck!!!