Why Choose Eger Excavating & Concrete LLC For Your Paver Patio Installation
Eger Excavating & Concrete LLC brings experienced crews and heavy equipment to every patio project.
We deliver reliable excavation, precise grading, and long-lasting concrete and paver work across Central Pennsylvania.
Call us at 814-571-4990 or visit https://egerexco.com/ for a free estimate.
What Is A Paver Patio And Why Paver Stones Are The Best Choice
A paver patio is an outdoor surface built from individual paving stones.
Pavers offer durability, easy repair, and design flexibility compared with poured concrete.
You can replace single stones if damage occurs, keeping maintenance simple and cost-effective.
Patio Design And Outdoor Space Planning For A Functional Paver Patio
Good design starts with how you plan to use the space and move around it.
Decide seating areas, pathways, and any fire pit or grill locations before digging begins.
Consider sun, shade, and how water will run across your yard.
Build A Paver Patio: Planning, Layout And Choosing Pavers For A Patio
Measure the area and sketch a simple layout showing edges and transitions.
Choose paver type, color, thickness, and pattern for the look and load requirements.
Thicker pavers are better for driveways or heavy furniture; thinner pavers suit foot traffic.
Materials You Need For Paver Installation: Pavers, Gravel Base, Paver Base And Paver Sand
Main materials are pavers, crushed stone for the base, and bedding sand.
You may also need landscape fabric, polymeric sand for joints, and edge restraints.
Quality materials make the patio last longer and reduce future maintenance needs.
Tools And Materials: Plate Compactor, Tamper, Saw, Screed, Shovel And Safety Gear
Essential tools include a rented plate compactor, masonry saw, and a screed board.
Bring gloves, eye protection, a level, tape measure, and a rubber mallet for setting pavers.
Having the right tools speeds the job and ensures a better finished surface.
Preparing The Site: How To Excavate The Patio Area And Remove Soil And Sod
Mark the perimeter with string and stakes to set the edges accurately.
Excavate the patio area to the correct depth, removing topsoil and organic material.
Proper excavation prevents settling and helps ensure a stable base for the pavers.
Depth Guidelines: 6 Inches Gravel Base, Paver Base Thickness And 1 Inch Bedding Sand
A typical pedestrian patio requires about 6 inches of compacted crushed stone under the pavers.
Add 1 inch of bedding sand for leveling and seating the pavers in place.
Adjust depth if heavier loads or poor soils require extra base thickness.
Grading And Slope: Slope Away From The House, Perimeter Grade And Drainage Considerations
Always slope the patio surface slightly away from structures for proper water drainage.
A standard slope is about 1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot away from the house.
Plan drainage paths and consider a French drain or culvert where needed.
Installing Landscape Fabric And Installing Paver Base To Control Weeds And Soil Movement
Landscape fabric helps reduce weed growth, but it does not replace a compacted base.
Lay fabric over undisturbed soil, then spread crushed stone in even lifts for compaction.
The fabric can slow mixing of base material with native soil and preserve drainage.
Installing Edge Restraint And Paver Edging To Stabilize The Perimeter
Edge restraints lock pavers in place and prevent lateral movement over time.
Use plastic, metal, or concrete edging anchored with spikes or concrete as required.
A secure perimeter greatly increases the life and stability of your patio.
Build Paver Edging And Edging Stones: Permanent Perimeter Restraint Techniques
For a permanent edge, set a concrete curb or poured concrete band around the patio.
Alternatively, use heavy-duty plastic or aluminum edge restraint staked into compacted base.
Edge choice depends on appearance preferences and how much traffic the patio will receive.
Compacting The Gravel Base: How To Compact And Why Compaction Matters For A Patio That Lasts
Compact the base in 2- to 3-inch lifts using a plate compactor for best results.
Proper compaction reduces future settling and keeps pavers flat and stable over time.
Expect compaction to reduce loose base height by about 5% to 10% per lift.
Screeding And Bedding: How To Screed Paver Sand To A Consistent 1 Inch Bedding Layer
Lay guide rails or screed rails on the compacted base to set the final sand height.
Spread paver sand and use a screed board to achieve an even 1 inch bedding layer.
The sand layer should be consistent to keep pavers level and properly supported.
Lay Pavers And Lay Patio Pavers: Patterns, Joint Spacing And Laying Techniques
Start laying pavers from a straight edge or corner and work outward in your pattern.
Maintain consistent joint spacing, typically 1/8 to 3/8 inch, depending on the product.
Use a rubber mallet to seat pavers evenly into the sand bedding layer.
How To Cut Pavers And Cut Paver Stones Cleanly For Edges And Door Transitions
Use a wet masonry saw or a split-block chisel for clean paver cuts for edges.
Measure twice and cut once to ensure good fit and clean transitions at doors or steps.
Wear eye protection and follow tool safety instructions when cutting pavers.
Paver Installation Step-by-Step: Installing Pavers, Checking Level And Maintaining Pattern
Set pavers in place following your chosen pattern and frequently check levels with a straightedge.
Fix any high or low pavers by lifting, adding sand, and re-seating to the correct height.
Work in small areas to keep pattern consistency and accurate alignment across the patio.
Joint Filling And Paver Sand: Sweeping Joints, Polymeric Sand And Settling Joints
After laying pavers, sweep dry paver sand into the joints until fully filled.
Consider polymeric sand for joints where weed growth or ants are a problem.
Compact the surface again and re-sweep to settle sand fully into the joints.
Final Compaction And Cleanup: Using A Plate Compactor After Installation And Finishing Touches
Run a plate compactor over the pavers with a protective mat to avoid surface damage.
Check edges and add extra sand to any settled joints after compaction is complete.
Clean the work area, remove excess materials, and rinse dust from the paver surface.
Drainage, Pipes And Integrating The Paver Patio With Existing Hardscape And Walkways
Coordinate patio height with adjacent walkways, steps, and drainage structures for smooth transitions.
Locate underground utilities and reroute pipes if needed before excavation and base work.
Proper integration preserves yard function and prevents future water or structural problems.
Concrete Vs Pavers: When To Choose Concrete And When To Install A Paver Patio
Choose poured concrete for a seamless look and lower upfront cost for simple shapes.
Select pavers for design options, easy repairs, and better resistance to cracking over time.
For fire pits or heavy loads, choose thicker pavers or reinforced concrete, based on use.
DIY Paver Patio And DIY Patio Pavers: Tips For Homeowners Installing A Patio Themselves
DIY saves labor costs but requires time, tools, and careful site prep for success.
Rent a plate compactor and a wet saw if you tackle cuts and compaction on your own.
Start small or consult professionals like Eger Excavating & Concrete LLC for guidance.
Common Mistakes In DIY Paver Installation And How Eger Excavating & Concrete LLC Avoids Them
Common mistakes include inadequate base depth, poor compaction, and missing edge restraints.
We prevent these problems with proper excavation, compacted base layers, and durable edging.
Trusting experienced crews reduces callbacks, saves money, and protects your investment.
Maintenance And Long-Term Care: Sealing, Weed Control And Repairs For A Durable Paver Patio
Sweep regularly and reapply joint sand after heavy rain or freeze-thaw cycles as needed.
Consider sealing pavers to enhance color, reduce stains, and limit weed growth in joints.
Replace broken pavers quickly to maintain a level surface and prevent trip hazards.
Cost, Timeline And Estimating Materials You Need For A Successful Paver Installation
Costs depend on paver type, base depth, site conditions, and labor regional rates.
A typical 20×20 patio may cost between $2,500 and $8,000, depending on materials and prep.
Expect a small patio job to take 2–4 days, larger or complex projects may need longer.
Case Studies And Recent Paver Patio Projects By Eger Excavating & Concrete LLC
We built a backyard patio in Bellefonte with a stamped paver border and integrated drainage.
Another job in State College included a full excavation, French drain, and custom knee walls.
These projects combined solid base work, precise grading, and clean finishing for lasting results.
Visit Our Contact Page To Get A Free Estimate, Schedule Your Paver Patio Installation And Speak With Our Team
Ready to start your patio project? Call 814-571-4990 to schedule a free estimate today.
Visit https://egerexco.com/ or our Bellefonte location at 236 S Potter St for in-person consultations.
We serve Centre County and nearby communities with trusted excavation, concrete, and utility solutions.
Helpful Quick Checklists
- Tools and Rentals:
- Plate compactor, masonry saw, screed board, rubber mallet, level, shovel.
- Materials Per Inch Depth (approx.):
- Crushed stone base, bedding sand, edge restraint, pavers, polymeric sand.
- Before You Start:
- Mark the area, check utilities, plan drainage, and confirm local permits.
Common Questions Answered
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Is 6 inches necessary?
- For a pedestrian patio on good soil, 6 inches of compacted base is recommended.
- Increase base depth for poor soils or heavier loads to prevent settling.
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What percentage of compaction reduction can I expect with a plate compactor?
- Typical compaction reduces loose base height by about 5% to 10% per lift.
- Compact in thin lifts and re-measure to maintain correct final depth.
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Can you build a fire pit on a paver patio?
- Yes, with proper base reinforcement, heat-resistant pavers, or a concrete ring.
- Keep a safe distance from structures and follow local fire codes.
For a durable, attractive paver patio installed the right way, call Eger Excavating & Concrete LLC today.
Phone: 814-571-4990 | Website: https://egerexco.com/ | Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XnBKH1BjW5Nw3h7r7