Silverthorn Landscape Supplies

INSTALLATION

1. PLAN

Go through the How to Start list, make a good plan, be sure to include your measurements, which type of product you need, and quantities.

2. PREPARATION

Mark out the area to be excavated.
*Remember to call the appropriate utility companies to find out where any lines may be buried before you dig! Phone, cable TV, internet, gas, hydro, waterlines, city piping…etc.

3. EXCAVATE

Excavate the area a minimum of 6”- 10” deep (depending on your exact project type). Be sure to remove all loose soil. Your sides should be excavated a minimum of 3” wider than the area you are laying your stones onto.

4. BASE

Place A-gravel into the excavated area, compacting every 2”. Grade the base as close to the final outline of your project as possible. Continue to add gravel and tamp every 2” until height requirements of your project are met. Be sure to slope all installations away from buildings, for drainage purposes. (Minimum slope is one inch across every ten feet). Your gravel base should stop 3” (roughly) below desired finished height of the walkway.

5. SCREENING

Once a solid A-gravel base has been compacted it is time for Limestone Screenings to be put down. Lay ¾”-1” diameter pipes on top of the compacted base so that when your pavers/flagstone is laid they will be 3/8” above desired finished level, then put down Limestone Screenings. Level the screenings evenly by pulling the 2 x 4 board across the pipes. Once screenings are level, remove the pipes, and fill in the holes with additional screenings.

6. LAYING YOUR STONE

Lay your pavers/flagstone directly on the bed of screenings you just leveled.
*If you are using manufactured paving stones: Start laying your pattern along the longest straight side of your patio – this minimizes the amount of cutting required. Use a string guide to keep the joint lines straight as you lay. Be sure not to lay the pavers too close together, or you will not be able to fix a line irregularity. *(If you are doing any banding or accents, place these first before installing your main pattern. Build your main field towards your accent/boarder and cut the pavers to fit into the design). * If you are using flagstone either follow the above sequence if you want a uniform and precise look, or lay your pieces in a random pattern to get a much more natural look.

7. CUTTING

Depending on the design you chose and the size of walkway you are building, some pavers/flagstone may need to be cut in order to fit the design properly. Mark your stones and either cut them yourself* or bring them into Silverthorn and we will cut them for you.
*Be sure to wear the appropriate safety gear and have proper training on machinery when cutting any stone or paver. *See Cuttting under our Services for rates.

8. EDGING

Once your walkway has been laid it is important to install edge restraints to prevent your pavers/flagstone from moving laterally. Using Snap edge and 10” metal spikes line the perimeter of your walkway and hammer the spikes into the compacted base (do not hammer them into the soil as they will not hold).

9. COMPACTING

Sweep the pavers/flagstone clean and compact them with a plate compactor. Be sure to pass over your entire walkway a minimum of three times in varying directions. This final tamping allows the stones to settle into the Limestone Screenings.
*Note: Certain speciality pavers require a pad on the plate compactor so as to not scratch or damage the paver. *Skip this step if you are using flagstone to build your walkway.

10. FINISHING TOUCHES

To create a more durable walkway, prevent weeds and insects from getting into the joints, and resist erosion in steep slope applications, sweep Polymeric Sand or Polymeric Stone (depending on the joint width of your stones) in between the joints. Fill in your walkway so the sand is flush with your pavers. Compact again, and sweep more sand into the joints that have settled further. Whisk off each paver/piece of flagstone so it is free of any Polymeric Sand, and lightly mist your walkway with a garden hose to seal the joints.
*You will be using Polymeric Stone if you are building your walkway using flagstone, and Polymeric Sand if you are using manufactured pavers. *Note: Some specialty pavers are not made to be used with polymeric sand.

DONE!
There you have it! A beautiful new walkway for your enjoyment!

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