Excavate and Prepare Sub-Base
At 0:01 in
Slinging #pavers. #hardscape #paverpatio #landscaping
What happens here
As shown in the video, the area for the patio must be properly excavated and prepared. This involves removing existing turf and soil to a depth that accommodates the paver thickness (typically 2-3 inches), bedding sand (1 inch), and a substantial gravel sub-base (4-8 inches, depending on soil type and use). The video shows a dug-out area with a layer of compacted gravel already in place. For a DIY project, after excavation with shovels and pickaxes, you would lay down geotextile fabric (optional, but recommended for stability and weed prevention), then add and compact layers of crushed stone or gravel using a plate compactor (like the Wacker Neuson visible) to create a firm, level, and properly sloped base for drainage. Use a line level or laser level to ensure the correct slope.
Goal: Create a stable and level foundation for the patio
Tools and materials
- Geotextile Fabric — Separating soil from gravel to prevent mixing and aid stability
- Hand Tamper — Compacting small or hard-to-reach areas of the sub-base
- Line Level — Ensuring the base has the correct slope for drainage
- Measuring Tape — Checking excavation depth and gravel layer thickness
- Pickaxe — Breaking up compacted soil or small rocks during excavation
- Plate Compactor Wacker Neuson — Compacting the gravel sub-base to create a stable foundation
- Rake — Spreading and leveling gravel before compaction
- Shovel — Excavating soil and spreading gravel
- Wheelbarrow — Transporting excavated soil and gravel
- Crushed Stone/Gravel — Creating the load-bearing sub-base of the patio