Interlocking Block Pavers Flooring

Interlocking pavers are most commonly made from cement or concrete, and tend to simulate the effects of cobblestone pathways .Interlocking pavers connect together through the use of sand, and can cover any patio, decking, driveway or walkway. Interlocking pavers is an alternative to virtually any application that you would normally use bricks or concrete for. Interlocking pavers are available in many colors and designs. They are modular, meaning that they connect together to form a variety of geometric designs.

PRODUCT FEATURES:

❖ Mass production under factory conditions ensures availability of blocks having consistent quality and high dimensional accuracy.

❖ Good quality of blocks ensures durability of pavements, when constructed to specifications.

❖ It tolerates higher deflections without structural failure and will not be affected by thermal expansion or contraction.

❖ It does not require curing, and so can be opened for traffic immediately after construction.

❖ Construction is labor intensive and requires less sophisticated equipment.

❖ The system provides ready access to underground utilities without damage to pavement.

❖ Maintenance is easy and simple and it is not affected by fuel and oil spillage.

❖ Use of coloured blocks facilitates permanent traffic markings.

❖ It is resistant to punching loads and horizontal shear forces caused by maneuvering of heavy vehicles

❖ Low maintenance cost and a high salvage value ensures low life cycle cost.

❖ Enhances outdoor spaces and adds to your home value

❖ Offers nearly limitless pattern and color choices

❖ Slip resistant when treated with a non-skid additive

❖ Is durable and long-lasting

❖ Easy to maintain

❖ Flexible design

INSTALLATION METHOD:

1. STEP 1: 1.Subgrade Preparation

● It is important to provide a well compacted, stable base on which to begin the paver installation. In some cases, this will require extensive excavation of unsuitable subgrade material.

● Excavate all unsuitable, unstable, or unconsolidated sub-grade material. When estimating the depth of excavation, consider the final grade of the project. Add the height of the paver unit, the depth of bedding sand, and the thickness of the compacted base material to get an estimate of needed depth.

● Fill the excavated site with the appropriate amount of paver base material (Class II Road Base is recommended), and compact using a vibrating plate compactor. The base must be well compacted and level to provide a smooth, even surface on which to lay the bedding sand.

1. Step 2: Bedding Sand

● The pavers will be set in a bed of sand. It is this sand bedding that will provide final leveling properties as well as help secure the paver units in place.

● Clean, sharp concrete sand, 1" deep, should be used for the sand bedding. To determine the amount of sand needed, allow 1 cubic yard of sand per 300sqft. For help estimated the amount of product needed, contact an RCP Block & Brick near you.

1. Step 3: Edge Restraint

● A stable edge restraint is necessary to eliminate any lateral movement of your pavers and sand bedding. Edge restraints can be either and existing hard edge (such as the side of a house), vinyl molded restraint, or a concrete restraint

● If an existing hard edge restraint (such as the side of a house) does not exist, you will need to either install a pre-manufactured polyethylene restraint such as "Edge-Pro: or install a concrete restraint.

1. Step 4: Laying the Pavers

● It is now time to begin laying the pavers onto the bedding sand and fitting them into the desired area of your paver project

● When laying the pavers onto the bedding sand, you want to work in a forward motion. Start the process in either a 90° corner or within the field by using a pre-set string to guide straightness of pavers. Do NOT step on the bedding sand.

● Place pavers flat on the sand bed. Do not tilt the pavers into place as this will disturb the level of the bedding sand. When a row or pattern is in place, use them as a guide for subsequent pavers. The spacing between the pavers should be hand tight (pavers have built-in spacers on their edges to provide a 1/8" joint).

1. Step 5: Vibrating the Pavers

● Once the entire paver field and borders have been placed, you will need to run a vibrating plate compactor over the paver project to begin the interlocking process.

● Rent a vibrating plate compactor from your local equipment rental company. Once the pavers and border have been placed, spread a light layer of sand over the pavers and make a single pass using this plate compactor.

● This single pass will help set the pavers into the bedding sand, and cause some sand to move up between the joints of the pavers. This is the initial stage of the "interlock".

1. Step 6: Sanding the Pavers

● The second step of the interlocking process involves working sand down between the paver joints to achieve final "lock-up".

● Spread dry paver joint sand or masonry sand over the surface of the paver area approximately 1/4" deep. Using the vibrating plate compactor, pass over the sanded pavers to allow sand to properly fill the voids between the pavers.

● You will generally need to run the plate compactor over the pavers 2 or 3 times, or until the pavers no longer settle into the sand bedding. This process will achieve final lock-up and completely fill the voids between the pavers.

● Sweep remaining sand into voids until they are completely filled. A light pass with a weed blower will help rid the surface of excess sand and dust. Be careful to insure the joint sand remains in the voids.

INSTALLATION MATERIALS:

❖ Manual cutter

❖ Interlocking pavers

❖ Sand setting bed

❖ Edge restraint

❖ Compacted base material

❖ Plate compactor

❖ Roller vibrator

❖ Paver splitters

❖ Broom

❖ Screed rail

❖ Stakes and string

❖ Rubber boots

❖ Gloves

❖ Compactors

❖ Levels

❖ Tape measure