Introduction
Is there a pavers job in the schedule for the summer, but you need to know what tools to get? Or you have done it sometimes, but something has felt a little off about the job. It may have felt too hard.
I’ve made a list of those questions to help everyone new to installing pavers get it done more efficiently. We usually decide to do something, but we need to follow the proper preparation. We get straight to working and find it hard.
Concrete pavers can bring any porch, patio, or outdoor space to life without costing you a fortune. And to save even more money, many homeowners often opt out to do the work themselves. What’s more, projects of this magnitude increase curb appeal and raise the value of your home.
Before installing your concrete pavers, you get complete instructions and the following tools. You’ll be sure to get a perfectly installed DIY concrete pavers patio. Some tools like wet tile saws and power tampers are best to be rented.
Gloves and knee protection
The first thing you will need is some hand and knee protection. Some of the work will be done standing, but I usually end up on my knees when leveling the gravel and sand with screeds.
The gloves are good as the rough concrete will remove the skin from the fingertips. I usually go through a few pairs when I’m installing concrete pavers.
Getting some sturdy gloves for the job, something with cut protection might work well, as the paver cuts usually eat the first holes in my gloves. Then it’s the skin next.
Wheelbarrow and shovel
The wheelbarrow is used for transporting gravel and sand, and I also use it for moving pavers. When you deliver gravel and sand, it’s good to have it as close as possible to the spot we’re paving. It will save you some hard work.
Some will still need to be moved by hand, and a wheelbarrow is the tool. A good digging shovel will be best for loading the wheelbarrow.
When working the wheelbarrow, it’s good not to get too greedy. If you overfill it and suddenly can’t push it anymore, or it falls over, it’s an unneeded setback.
Power tamper
After you’ve excavated the earth from the concrete paver slab area, you’ll need to backfill the hole with some pea gravel and a layer of fine sand. This allows for optimal water drainage and ensures that the concrete pavers don’t sink or sag after installation.
Power tamper is for compacting the ground before you install your pavers. Loose gravel could be better for installing something. After we have used the tamper, it’s time to level the sand.
When you level the sand, you might or might not want to tamp it. I usually don’t, as I tamp the pavers after I’ve installed them and placed the first sand to the joints. It will help the sand get to the joints and the pavers to be compact. The same can be achieved with a garden hose.
Hand Screeds
A handheld screed is needed to get the soft white sand layer as flat and as smooth as possible. Metal screeds work best as these are much more uniform and straight, even under the most stressful of workloads.
The hand screed should be as long as the area you’re working on is or are comfortable using. Long a screed is challenging to handle and could be better in narrow spaces.
Level
We need a tool to check inclination; even though concrete pavers will let the water through the joints, having anything inclined towards our house is always a bad idea. The water should always travel away or towards the drainage we have built.
So, we used the level to set the sand sloped away from the house and checked the pavers with it. I wouldn’t say I like working by eye on things like this.
Rubber Mallet
A rubber mallet is needed to ensure that each paver ends up in the correct position and is as tight as possible against one another. A quality rubber mallet hammer is a must-have tool when your concrete pavers are designed to conform to a specific pattern.
Be sure you tap each row tightly before setting the next, and you’ll be sure to get a straight and uniform layout from beginning to end.
Wet Tile Saw / Angle grinder with a masonry blade
This may seem like a strange tool for a paver patio project. Still, if you need to cut your paver layout, a wet tile saw is crucial to getting the most out of your concrete paver project. A wet tile saw creates quick work of even the most rigid paver materials without the mess of a concrete carbide saw.
When oddly angled cuts are involved, a wet tile saw is the only way to ensure cuts stay smooth and consistent. While a wet tile saw cuts through pavers like butter, it won’t cut through your fingers so that you can work efficiently and safely.
The best thing about a wet tile saw is the dust control. Any other tool will end up leaving a concrete dust mess. Still, I’ve done work with an angle grinder and masonry blade.
Masonry blades will cut concrete pavers easily; the only problem is the dust that will escape. It’s good to cut in a remote location, so it’s easy to wash it off with water. For a big project, I’d rent the wet tile saw as it is much more comfortable.
100′ Tape Measure
Most handheld tape measures only go 25-30′ at the most. That means if you’re installing a sidewalk, driveway, or patio over 30′ long, you will need to double up the tape measure to get the complete measurement.
This can quickly ruin even the strictest of layouts if you have to do this more than once. Using a 100′ tape measure, you ensure that as you lay out the concrete pavers, they end up exactly where they should go.
Conclusion
When it comes to paver installation, having the right tools and protective gear can make all the difference. This list of essentials may seem long, but each item serves a crucial purpose. It’s worth noting that purchasing these items isn’t always necessary, as renting or borrowing can also be an option.
Don’t underestimate the importance of hand and knee protection when working with rough paver surfaces. Without it, you risk injuring your skin, which can slow down your progress and cause pain.
Each tool listed here is essential for achieving the best possible outcome for your project. While a shovel and 2×4 plank can work, using specialized tools will make your work more efficient and precise. This will ultimately result in a more polished and professional-looking finished product.
By taking accurate measurements and properly preparing the ground, you’ll ensure that your pavers are installed correctly and won’t be affected by ground heaving. This is crucial, as a poorly planned and executed installation can lead to an uneven surface with some parts lifted and others sunken. Don’t let all your hard work go to waste – invest in the right tools and take the time to plan and prepare properly.
