Prepare Base and Set String Lines
At 0:00 in
and if you don’t get what you want, still show up anyway
What happens here
Before laying pavers, ensure the base is properly prepared. This typically involves excavating the area, laying a compacted sub-base of crushed stone, installing edge restraints, and finally, screeding a uniform layer of bedding sand. Once the base is ready, establish your starting lines using a string line. This line acts as a visual guide to ensure the paver courses remain straight and the pattern is consistent. For a herringbone pattern, lay out your first few pavers to confirm the angle and ensure they are perpendicular to your starting edge or reference point. The video shows workers already kneeled on laid pavers, indicating the initial setup has been done.
Goal: Ensure a level, stable base and establish guides for paver alignment.
Tools and materials
- Knee Pads — Protecting knees while working on the ground
- String Line — Creating straight reference lines for paver alignment
- Bedding Sand N/A — Creating a level, even surface for the pavers to rest on
- Compacted Gravel Base N/A — Providing a stable foundation for the pavers