One of the best ways to maximise your outdoor space is by adding a patio. This space provides room for your patio furniture where you can host your friends, dine outdoors, or simply relax after a long day.
This blog post provides a guide on how to install a patio and highlights the essential tools and equipment required for the project. The tools and equipment discussed include a mini digger, wacker plate, cement mixer, wheelbarrow, shovel, and rake.
The step-by-step guide covers planning and designing the patio, preparing the site, laying the base, installing the edging, and laying the patio materials. By following these steps and hiring the necessary equipment, you can create a beautiful and functional outdoor space that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Have a Patio Installation Plan
The planning phase is very crucial to every successful project and this is true for your patio installation as well. Before you get to the step-by-step process of installing your patio, the first thing you need to do is assess where you want your patio located.
Consider if the proposed site has the right sun exposure, access to wind, and other favourable factors to make the spot ideal for a patio. Other key elements involved in the planning phase include measuring the space, design creation, material selection, and setting your budget.
Measure out your space to determine the size and shape of your patio. The measurement you take will be useful in sourcing the right amount of paving material and creating the kind of design you would like your patio to have.
You should also choose the kind of material you will like to build your patio with. The most popular choices are usually pavers, bricks, and concrete slabs. Bear in mind that these materials might need to be cut down into custom shapes and sizes according to your desire.
This means a saw or a chisel will come in handy for your project to get the paving materials to the right size. The installation project will also require a mini digger to dig the soil and move material, a wacker plate for soil compaction, and a cement mixer to mix materials.
To easily get these pieces of equipment at affordable rates, you can search online for “mini digger hire near me” or a “cement mixer hire near me”. Additional tools and equipment required for a good patio installation include:
- Wheelbarrow
- Garden hose
- Shovel
- Mason line
- Broom
- Builders sand
- PVC pipe
- 2×4 board
- Concrete or mortar
- Landscape fabric
- Marking spray paint
- Tape measure
- Edging stone
Installing a Patio – A Step-By-Step-Guide
Now that you know the exact type of equipment and materials you need to install a patio, let’s proceed to the next phase- creating a beautiful and functional paved outdoor patio area. The installation process will cover layers of the sub-base, mortar, and the patio slab all above the soil. So grab your tools and let’s get started.
Step 1: Prepare the Site
With a tape measure and a marking spray paint, define the shape of your patio in the area you want to install it. You can also use garden stakes and a mason line to mark out the area more clearly. Proceed to use a shovel to dig out the sod and soil in the intended location. For a faster and more efficient job, you can just make use of a mini digger. For a simple personal project, you can opt for mini digger hire instead of buying a unit. Get rid of the excess soil you remove while digging using a shovel and wheelbarrow.
Step 2: Add a Landscape Fabric and the Base
Next, use a fitting landscape fabric to line the excavated area. Even though this step can be skipped, it is an effective weed control method and it’s recommended. The next thing to do is to add a layer of sand and gravel. Spread this within the dug area with a rake and compact it with a wacker plate. If you don’t have one, you can opt for a wacker plate hire. Cover it up with an inch of the builder’s sand. Compact it again with your wacker plate to smoothen this base out
You can wet it lightly with a garden hose for a firm base if you had used a limestone paver base. This type of base will also require a levelling sand finish. Lay the PVC pipes across the length of the patio area, then spread an inch of levelling sand on it. Lay your 2×4 board, remove the pipes, and fill up the gaps with sand to set it properly and create a levelled surface.
Step 3: Prepare Your Mortar
You need to prepare your mortar mix to hold the paving slabs. You can either do this by hand or with a cement mixer. Measure out your mortar materials in a ratio of 4:1 favouring the sharp sand portion over the cement.
Once you have created a consistent mixture, pour it on your sub-base and spread it out. Note that the mortar can only be used within the timeframe of two hours have you made it.
Step 4: Lay Your Pavers and Edges
It is finally time to start laying your pavers. Like pieces of a puzzle, set the pavers on the mortar base one after the other making sure they fit perfectly. Place the edging stones along the edges of your patio and hold them in place with mortar.
Step 5: Finish Your Project
This is the last step of the installation process. Spread paver sand over the entire patio in a thin layer. Sweep and let the sand cover up gaps between the pavers with a stiff broom. Run the wacker plate across the entire patio.
Voila! Your Patio is ready to go!
Conclusion
The installation of a patio is not so easy, but it is totally worth the effort. It’s a lot of work figuring everything out right from the planning phase down to the final design touches. However, if you do it right it can also be a very rewarding experience. You can get any of the tools you need to complete your project from easyToolhire. Visit our website to browse our collection of construction equipment for your next patio installation project.
