A SOLID FOUNDATION PREVENTS SETTLING
When the base of your project is properly constructed, water will not accumulate underneath and settling will not occur.
Excavation
–The first step in any project is excavation of the native soil. The depth of the excavation will depend on two factors:
- Soil Type: Clay soil requires deeper excavation; Sandy soil require less.
- Use: Heavy loads like driveways and retaining walls require deeper excavation; Lighter loads like patios and walkways require less.
Base Materials
–The excavated area will be filled with base material. This material needs to be:
- Strong enough to handle the load of whatever is being placed on the surface
- Free draining that water moves away from the surface
- Extended at least six inches beyond the edges of the finished surface
- Compacted in several layers, using proper equipment.
Bedding Sand:
–The right bedding material installed at the right depth is vital to the performance of your pavement. It provides a nice smooth surface for laying pavers, slabs or natural stones and allows water to quickly drain away from the surface.
Edge Restraint:
–Edge restraint is secured either underneath the pavers (for a permeable project) or by long spikes driven into the base material around the perimeter of the paver surface.
Joint Material:
–Joint material plays an important role in further locking the pavers in place, as well as keeping weeds and other debris out. There are several types of joint materials to choose from. We at Bento Construction, Inc. recommend using polymeric sand for regular pavers and mason sand for permeable paving projects.
A quality project is built upon a solid foundation. For this reason, we recommend you hiring a professional construction company.