The technology of laying paving slabs do it yourself

For many people, from owners of private houses, public institutions to government employees, the question of how to lay paving slabs is quite relevant. After all, using an artificial brick, you can improve the yard, lay out the paths, make convenient platforms near buildings, pave a street or pavement. The material is quite popular, in demand. Thanks to a large selection of shapes, colors, sizes, it allows you to create not only standard masonry, but even to make 3D ornament, lay out different patterns, shapes, other elements that differ from the main background in color.

Arrangement of large public facilities is carried out by working teams with special equipment, but the owners of their small house adjoining site can independently cope with the work without resorting to the help of specialists and complex technologies. This will save the family budget, gain useful experience. The main thing is to follow the instructions and instructions so that the result of labor brings aesthetic pleasure, be a matter of pride.

Features of paving slabs

Building material has proven itself in the improvement of the territory, whether it be the driveway to the garage or the parking of vehicles, garden or pedestrian path, the addition of the landscape of the dacha, suburban area or public park. Laying tiles in different areas was made possible due to its advantages over alternative coating options:

• It is immune to temperature changes, which allows its use in different climatic zones. Unlike asphalt, building material does not deform when heated, does not emit harmful substances.
• The surface is resistant to abrasion, and when laid, the brick is strong enough to withstand considerable loads.
• It is characterized by a long service life, which is 15-20 years.
• Differs in the small weight of a cloth, low cost.
• It is easy to install, carry out repairs, in case of damage to individual elements, dismantle when necessary to gain access to underground utilities.
• This is an environmentally friendly product, in its production uses natural raw materials.
• It has an attractive appearance, a large variety of forms, many ways of styling.
• Water does not accumulate on the paved plane, it partially goes into the ground through the joints between the blocks, flows down to one of the sides, thanks to a small slope, is discharged with the help of sidewalk drains.
• The difficulty lies in the fact that the installation process is slow, as it is done manually, and the incorrectly packed blocks will fall out.

Depending on the load exerted on the surface of the canvas, the thickness of the product is selected. 3-5 cm is enough for pedestrians, and 6-8 cm for passenger cars, 8-10 cm for trucks.

Kinds

Paving slabs differ in many characteristics. It can be made from different raw materials, vary in shape, size, thickness, color, method of production. If we consider the components of the concrete mix, we can distinguish the following types:

• Concrete. Standard product consisting of a mixture of cement, sand, water.
• From a natural stone. The most expensive, made from marble, fractions of natural stone.
• Clinker. Made from baked clay.
• Paving stone The granite crumb is its part.
• With rubber filling. It has a soft surface that allows it to be laid on children's and sports grounds.
• Polymer sandy. Instead of cement, LDPE (high pressure polyethylene) is used.
• With a three-dimensional pattern. With the help of molds, photo printing is applied to the upper edge, as well as a special protective coating.
• With reinforcement. It is made only by vibratory casting. The composition added flat reinforcement or mesh of fibrin.

The finished product is produced by three main methods:

• vibratory casting;
• vibropressing;
• hyperpressing.

Dimensions

Manufacturers produce a large range of products that differ in their parameters. For each specific model is characterized by its size. On the example of the table we consider the most popular types of paving slabs in accordance with GOST 17608-91, having their own characteristics of height - h, length - a, width - b.

The table shows a part of the basic standards. There are also various curly, decorative models. Each individual manufacturer manufactures its products according to its own developments, therefore, the parameters of products often do not meet common standards.

The form

There are a large number of options for paving slabs that differ in texture, relative position of borders. Their form in most cases depends on the material used in the manufacture of the final product:

1. Natural stone is difficult to process, so granite paving stones are limited in forms. According to the method of processing raw materials can be distinguished: sawn pavement - cut in the image of a square or rectangle with smooth surfaces; crushed - formed as a result of breaking a single piece of granite stone into small parts, has an uneven texture; sawn-punched - the form is formed by cutting, so it is convenient to lay it, and the upper face is different relief.
2. The clinker tile has a small choice of shapes, mostly rectangular variants, its cost is several times more expensive than concrete counterparts, the color palette is limited to a range of red and yellow shades, is used extremely rarely.
3. Standard cement products are presented by a wide model range, differ both externally, and in the size. Many species have names that correspond to certain parameters.

Consider some options:

• Classic. Represented by a square, has a large selection of colors of the outer surface.
• A brick. Externally similar to a brick, but smaller, allows you to create different combinations of styling.
• Cobblestone. Stone obtained by artificial means, imitating natural.
• Honeycombs. Tile in the form of a hexagon.
• Parquet. Square pavers with parquet pattern on several slats.
• Caso. It is characterized by the presence of the Gothic ornament.
• Wave. It has curved side lines, which contributes to a better grip.
• Clover. Rhombus with rounded sides.
• Gossamer It has a pattern that mimics the web.
• Coil. It resembles a standard coil, with protrusions at the ends.
• Galtovannaya. Characterized by rounded edges.
• Scale. It looks like fish scales.
• A cloud. Square products with a decorative surface like clouds.
• Flower. Square with the image of chamomile.
• Border. Protects the boundaries of the site, paths, gives a finished look laid canvas.
• Drain Special element designed to divert water.

Manufacturing material

The appearance, size, order of the borders - important characteristics of this subject. But the durability, technical properties of the product depend on the raw materials from which the paving slabs are made. Let us examine in more detail the types used in the production of materials:

1. A natural stone. For work use granite, marble basalt. It is characterized by durability, wear resistance, immunity to moisture, temperature changes. The only disadvantages are the high cost, the complexity of processing natural material.
2. Colored concrete mixes. They consist of cement grade not lower than M400 and sand. To improve the characteristics, such as strength, frost resistance, hygroscopicity, special impurities and additives in the form of crushed stone, expanded clay, fiberglass, special additives, plasticizers are added to the composition.
3. Clinker. The product is obtained by firing at a high temperature shale refractory clay. Used for paving roads, industrial floors. It features a small selection of colors, cost, 5 times higher than concrete counterparts.
4. Polymer-sandy. 75% consist of sifted quartz sand, the rest are polymers - polystyrene, polypropylene. The finished product is able to withstand temperature drops from - 70 to + 100 ° С. Plasticity of raw materials prevents the formation of microcracks, leading to the destruction of paving stones.

Colour

The construction market offers a large selection of different colors paving that allows you to solve any design problems. However, depending on the dyes used in the production, fade resistance is caused. The best are natural pigments, such as soot, giving the tile a black color, a mixture of iron oxides - a red color.

Yellow and its shades are also considered fairly stable, but due to the constant sedimentation of dust, the surface becomes gray. Natural factors are worst tolerated by blue and green dyes; it may take less than two years to acquire a gray tint material.

We should also note the natural stone and clinker. They are limited in coloring, but over time it does not change. Concrete bricks are painted in the production process in two ways:

• Surface. Alkyd, polyurethane dyes are used. Coloring is made on the laid sidewalk or on top of finished products. Allows you to change the color of the finished coating, to increase strength, wear resistance.
• Penetrating. The pigment is added directly to the solution. Natural and artificial dyes are used.

It is better to use natural coloring elements. Such substances do not lose color, do not fade under the influence of sunlight, have less negative impact on the properties of the finished product.

Rules and design schemes

Laying the finished product depends on the specific type of paving, its colors, the presence of the pattern, relief, size. The appearance of the coating depends on the installation method. Also, the design of the canvas should be combined with the landscape. Consider the most popular masonry patterns:

• Linear. Also, this method is called the classic, spoons, brick bond. Standard type of masonry with a simple image. Paving can be done in two ways: without shear; with offset. The first option is used extremely rarely, because it reduces the bearing characteristics of the web. The second method is the most common. The main condition for laying - the joints should not coincide, according to the principle of construction of an ordinary brick wall. Offset can be half and three-quarters, as well as playing colors you can get a diagonal and tracked scheme.
• Linear angular. The bearing capacity of the surface increases, so this method is good to use in places with high load. Depending on the location of the elements, two basic schemes can be distinguished: herringbone and braided. In the first case, rectangular bricks should be laid in rows at an angle of 45 °, with each successive element located on the same curve, jabbing with half a spoon of the previous one. In the second embodiment, the method of paving does not differ from the previous one, only the tile is located at a right angle of 90 °.
• Block. Brickwork is performed in blocks. It is possible to stack modules of two elements, alternating their horizontal and vertical arrangement, and also to stack pairs through one perpendicular brick. In the first case, using only two colors, a chess game is obtained.
• Random layout. An excellent choice is used tiles "Old Town", "Brick", "Classic Rusto", flagstone. Elements are put in random order, which allows you to create an original, unique pattern.
• Spiral, circular. One of the most difficult. Components are arranged in the form of a circle or square.
• Fiction. Due to the different colors, combining different ways, a detailed scheme, you can lay out beautiful drawings, ornaments, geometric shapes.

How to lay tile

Not knowing where to begin, the work may seem difficult, troublesome. But if you understand all the subtleties, it is quite possible to do it yourself, without the help of experts. The process begins with drawing up a drawing, preparing materials and tools, then steps are taken to set up the foundation, fill the cushion, install the curb, install the top blade, grout the joints. Consider in detail each stage.

Required materials and tools

It is very important to prepare everything necessary for its implementation before starting work. These actions will save time later, do not have to be distracted by the search for missing items. Also, when buying a tile, it is recommended to provide for its stock, as it can break when moving, during laying, and when it shrinks with a rubber hammer. In order not to miss anything, you should familiarize yourself with the materials and tools used to carry out work activities:

• sand, crushed stone, cement;
• geotextiles;
• paving slabs, curb elements, plums;
• concrete mixer or old bath, for mixing the solution;
• Bulgarian;
• disc with a coating for cutting concrete;
• wheelbarrow;
• electric tamper;

• spade and shovel;
• trowel, long and short rule;
• bucket, broom;
• level, tape measure;
• rake for leveling bulk materials;
• hammer and rubber;
• strong thread;
• round tubes, special profile for lighthouses;
• metal pegs.

Layout for laying

Land improvement works begin with a clear project. Of course, if only one small dacha garden path is considered, everything can be calculated in the mind, but if you pave large areas, you cannot do without a scheme.

Having made a plan, you can start marking the territory. This will require a building level, tape measure, durable thread, metal pegs or pieces of reinforcement. First measurements are taken. They need to start from the corner of the structure, which will come into contact with the canvas. If there is none, then the pegs are driven in at the tops of the site in question.

Having performed the preliminary marking, it is necessary to make additional measurements in order to install auxiliary pegs at a distance of 1.5 - 2 m, which will help in the future to correctly position the rows, align the seams, lay the details. Between the metal stakes, the thread is stretched along the level, and a small slope should be provided in one of the sides where the water drains will be located. Do not lose sight of the part of the plane occupied by borders.

Surface preparation - protective layer and drainage device

After marking the site is necessary to prepare the base. For this, the upper part of the soil is removed. Depending on the layer of the pillow, the depth of the pit may be 40-50 cm. Further, the surface of the groove is cleaned from the roots, leveled, the ground is compacted by hand tamping. Top covered with geofabric, preventing the germination of unnecessary vegetation.

It is very important to think over and equip the drainage device. On clay soil, where groundwater is located shallowly, at the stage of excavation, a slope is formed, drainage pipes are installed. If the soil consists of sandstone, it quickly absorbs moisture, then it is enough to fulfill the slope of the canvas to one of the sides, and also to provide for drainage systems and drains.

After completing the preparatory work begin to form the first drainage layer of the pie. To do this, 10 - 30 cm of fine fractional crushed stone or siftings are filled up, it is leveled with a rake, compacted.

Install curb or curb

The curb not only gives the site a beautiful view, protects it, but also fixes the tile, does not allow it to crawl around. It is installed along the path in the garden, along the perimeter of the plane, located near the house, public institutions. Correct fixation of the curb is one of the difficult stages, it requires the utmost precision and attention. Blocks should rise above the tile at half its height of 10-15 cm.

Borders are fixed on a concrete pad before applying a sand layer using cement mortar. Their height is determined by the tensioned thread, and evenness - level. If necessary, they can be raised, seated with a rubber hammer. There are also types of fences that are not visible. Such variants are installed together with paving stones on a cement-sand pillow, fastened with metal pegs, pieces of reinforcement.

Preparation of the basis under a tile

A layer of sand is laid over gravel or rubble, it is leveled with a rake, filled with water, and tamped with an electric or manual tamper. After compaction, its thickness should be 5-10 cm.

Next, pour the cement-sand mixture, obtained by mixing one part of the cement with six parts of quarry sand. Sometimes tiles are laid directly on rammed sand. The mixture is also moistened and rammed, leveled by beacons using the rule. The thickness of the layer should be 2-4 cm.

For large loads, the circuit is slightly different.First, a layer of sand of 10–15 cm is poured on the compacted soil, then crushed stone or gravel - 10–15 cm, and a reinforced concrete slab with a thickness of 10–12 cm is poured on top, onto which curbs are already installed, lighthouses are laid, cement-sand mortar is poured 2 -4 cm, aligned with the rule.

Laying tiles

On sand, as well as on its mix with cement, the brick keeps within equally. The laying should be started from the wall of the house or from the installed curb, which is more convenient, because it is set by marking. The first row fits on a flat line. In the case of laying shaped pieces trimming, which should fill the gaps between the tiles and the wall or curb, are installed at the last moment, after the completion of the basic installation work.

The tile may vary in thickness, so some elements will have to pour the mixture, while others sit down with a rubber hammer. But all paving should be tightly pressed to the surface. Also when laying brick it is necessary to observe the gap between the individual parts. Depending on the chosen scheme and the type of paving stones, subsequent rows are stacked.

If there are obstacles in the way of masonry in the form of the necessary engineering communications, pipes, trees, then curbs can be installed around them, or a brick will fit closely. But undercuts are also mounted last. Having laid out a certain part, they look at the evenness of the seams, if necessary they are trimmed, then they are sprinkled with a dry cement-sand mixture and they are flushed so that it fills the gaps between the bricks. After completion of the main work proceed to the remaining voids between the wall and the canvas. To do this, cut off the tile from the measured pieces.

Grouting

Seal the tile joints in several ways. This is an indispensable procedure for providing paving stability and durability One of the options - cement-sand mixture. After thoroughly kneading the dry components, it is poured onto the surface and distributed along the seams with a brush or soft broom. Leveling is continued until the material fills the gap under the top. The remains are cleaned and doused with water from a hose.

You can also use cement mortar for grouting. It is poured in the direction of the seams and dubbed with a rubber trowel. Immediately after filling all the grooves, until the solution began to harden, its residues are removed using a rag. After a couple of days, if the cement shrinks, the procedure must be repeated.

How to care for paving tiles

Paving slabs unpretentious material, but requires special care with a certain frequency. Only with proper cleaning it will last for decades. Special tools should be selected depending on the time of year and method of use.

In summer, the biggest problem is dust and debris. You can cope with it by simple sweeping. Serious impurities are removed with a stream of water. Tile in places of high humidity, for example, by the pool, fountain, must be covered with water-repellent substances. To clean the tile should be at the slightest pollution, especially if it is oily stains from the car, soot, dried cement.

The main enemy of street tiles in the winter is ice and snow. Rough mechanical effects, such as chipping of scrap, in this case will not work. It is better to melt a strong crust with warm water or use special chemicals. The snow plow must be plastic or wooden. To protect the coating from moisture penetration, you can use waterproofing solutions. Apply them immediately after installation.

Conclusion

Paving slabs - one of the best materials for decorating surfaces. With your own hands, you can easily perform work on laying tracks and platforms in the country, manor, in the garden, make a check for the car, parking. Thanks to a large selection of building materials, shapes, sizes, colors, ways of laying, using paving stones you can solve any design problem for the design of the landscape.