How to prepare a base for pavers

The layers, from the bottom up

Driveways and areas used by vehicles should follow an engineer’s or manufacturer’s specification where one applies.

Step by step

1. Mark out the area and dig down to the total depth of all layers, plus a slight fall (about 1:100) away from the house.
2. Compact the exposed ground with a plate compactor.
3. Spread road base or crusher dust in layers of no more than 100mm, dampen each layer and compact it firmly.
4. Spread bedding sand 20–30mm deep and screed it flat with a straight edge on rails. Do not compact the sand before laying.
5. Lay the pavers on the loose sand, working from a fixed edge, then compact them in with a plate compactor fitted with a rubber mat.
6. Sweep fine sand into the joints and compact again.

How much do you need?

For a 20m² patio: 20 × 0.1 = 2m³ of road base or crusher dust, and 20 × 0.03 = 0.6m³ of bedding sand. Our guide to how much landscape supply you need explains the maths.

Road base or crusher dust?

Road base is stronger and suits driveways and heavier use. Crusher dust is finer, easy to level and suits patios, paths and tank pads. See blue metal vs recycled concrete if you are choosing between crusher dust types.

Tools you’ll need

• Spade, shovel and wheelbarrow for digging out and moving material
• String line, pegs and a long spirit level to set heights and falls
• Plate compactor (most hire shops have them)
• Screed rails and a straight board for levelling the bedding layer
• Rubber mallet and a masonry saw for cutting pavers

Getting the fall right

Paved areas need a slight slope so rain runs off instead of pooling. A common rule is a fall of about 10mm for every metre, running away from the house and towards a garden bed, lawn or drain. Set the string lines to this fall before you lay the base, then follow it through every layer. Check your local council’s rules if the paving is near a building or boundary.

Compacting in layers

Lay road base or crusher dust in layers no more than about 100mm thick, dampen each one lightly and run the plate compactor over it two or three times before adding the next. A base compacted in one deep lift tends to settle unevenly later, which is when pavers start to rock and dip.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping compaction, or compacting the base when it is bone dry.
• Making the bedding layer too thick. Keep it to about 20–30mm.
• Walking on the screeded sand before the pavers go down.
• Forgetting edge restraints, so the outer pavers spread over time.

We supply the bulk base and bedding materials. Buy your pavers from your paver supplier and follow their laying advice.