How to lay foundation for paving slabs
Before paving, you'll need a good foundation. Here's how you lay one.
Level of difficulty
Level 2: Intermediate
What you need
- String lines
- Pegs
- Bricks
- Spade
- Sledgehammer
- Garden roller
- Builder’s sand
- Bricklaying trowel
- Garden rake
The steps to follow
- Wrap a string line around two bricks or pegs and stretch it across the area where you plan to build the foundation.
- Use a spade to remove the turfs and the topsoil where you plan to build the foundation.
- Dig down to a depth of about 20 cm (8 in). You'll need this depth to fill in about 10 cm (4 in) of hardcore, 5 cm (2 in) layer of sand, and the layer of concrete or paving material.
- With a sledgehammer or a garden roller, compact the base of the trench.
- Next, add a layer of hardcore to the base, which should be 10 cm (4 in) deep.
- Compact it with a sledgehammer or a garden roller.
- Spread a layer of builder's sand of about 5 cm (2 in) deep.
- Smooth the surface with a garden rake.
- Next, add the concrete on top of the builder's sand.
- Tamp down and flatten the layer of concrete with a piece of timber. The piece of timber should be long enough to span the area.
- Let the foundation set and dry before starting your next project.
