How do I "grade" paving sand?

Pertyrita · 03-25-2012, 08:57 PM

Good day ~
I have begun my spring project ~ a new walkway from the edge of my deck 12 feet out towards my parking area.

The edge of my deck is slightly lower than the parking area & I know I must "grade" the walkway so that water flows away from the deck area towards the parking area. Can you explain how to do this?

I am using soil from other parts of my acreage as "fill" ~ topping this with weed guard fabric then with bagged paving sand mixed with clean dry sand. I have placed my metal edgers where they will keep everything in place and I am ready to begin setting my pavers.

I can't figure out how to grade the walkway to where any rainfall will flow away from the deck ... can you help this Texas lady, please?

Pertyrita

DIYadam · 03-26-2012, 02:50 PM

Hey Pertyrita,

So first things first, the deck is lower than the parking area? How is the rest of the ground graded between the deck and the parking area? Pictures would be a great help.

You definitely want stuff graded away from your house (assuming that's what your deck is attached to).

Secondly, how exactly do you plan on building the patio base? Where I live, its standard to have 4-6" of compacted 3/4" gravel, then an inch or so of sand on top also compacted before laying pavers.

Anymore information?

concretemasonry · 03-27-2012, 12:36 PM

The compacted base should be sloped to the desired grade. The sand on top is just a 1" thickness of concrete sand that is recommended to be uncompacted and just screeded off to provide a uniform 1" thickness if your edging is at the correct height and used as a screed guide.

Dick

SingleGuy · 03-28-2012, 01:14 AM

I'm no expert by any means but maybe you couldn't he put a drain at the lowest point of the walkway? Just a thought.

Pertyrita · 03-28-2012, 06:36 AM

Thanks for your prompt reply, Dick.

Anyplace on this site that will "walk me through"

the process of "grading"?

~ HOW do YOU "grade" a work site like my walkway?

Pertyrita

Pertyrita · 03-28-2012, 06:41 AM

Thanks for the reply, Adam! I am at a standstill on this project ~ I have to replenish my supply of bricks so that means back to "work" to earn a few more dollars!

I'm having loads of fun but am puzzled on the process of "grading" ~ just need a "walk through" on how this is done.

Have a great day!!
Pertyrita

Pertyrita · 03-28-2012, 06:43 AM

That's just what I was just thinking! I wonder where I can find directions on "how to dig a moat" ..lol!

Pertyrita

03-25-2012, 08:57 PM	#1
Pertyrita Newbie Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4	How do I "grade" paving sand? Good day ~ I have begun my spring project ~ a new walkway from the edge of my deck 12 feet out towards my parking area. The edge of my deck is slightly lower than the parking area & I know I must "grade" the walkway so that water flows away from the deck area towards the parking area. Can you explain how to do this? I am using soil from other parts of my acreage as "fill" ~ topping this with weed guard fabric then with bagged paving sand mixed with clean dry sand. I have placed my metal edgers where they will keep everything in place and I am ready to begin setting my pavers. I can't figure out how to grade the walkway to where any rainfall will flow away from the deck ... can you help this Texas lady, please? Pertyrita

03-26-2012, 02:50 PM	#2
DIYadam DIY'er Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Grimsby, ON Posts: 49	How do I "grade" paving sand? Hey Pertyrita, So first things first, the deck is lower than the parking area? How is the rest of the ground graded between the deck and the parking area? Pictures would be a great help. You definitely want stuff graded away from your house (assuming that's what your deck is attached to). Secondly, how exactly do you plan on building the patio base? Where I live, its standard to have 4-6" of compacted 3/4" gravel, then an inch or so of sand on top also compacted before laying pavers. Anymore information?

03-27-2012, 12:36 PM	#3
concretemasonry Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota - Latitude 45.057 Longitude -93.074 Posts: 3,357	How do I "grade" paving sand? The compacted base should be sloped to the desired grade. The sand on top is just a 1" thickness of concrete sand that is recommended to be uncompacted and just screeded off to provide a uniform 1" thickness if your edging is at the correct height and used as a screed guide. Dick

03-28-2012, 01:14 AM	#4
SingleGuy It's always something Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Northwest Georgia, USA Posts: 186	How do I "grade" paving sand? I'm no expert by any means but maybe you couldn't he put a drain at the lowest point of the walkway? Just a thought.

03-28-2012, 06:36 AM	#5
Pertyrita Newbie Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4	How do I "grade" paving sand? Thanks for your prompt reply, Dick. Anyplace on this site that will "walk me through" the process of "grading"? ~ HOW do YOU "grade" a work site like my walkway? Pertyrita

How do I "grade" paving sand?