Exterior Flooring: Mistakes to Be Wary Of When Installing Pavers
One of the popular flooring options people gravitate toward for the exterior of their home is pavers. This is because they are highly durable while still adding an element of visual interest to their property. In addition to this, the installation process is not as labour intensive as other types of flooring materials. Which makes pavers an ideal option for homeowners who will like cost effective flooring alternatives. Due to how straightforward the installation process is, some people take it for granted and assume it is simply about placing the pavers in their desired patterns. The reality is that there are some mistakes that are commonly made, which end up affecting the longevity of the pavers. Below are a few of the mistakes to be wary of when installing pavers.
Installing pavers without sufficient drainage
Before you embark on the installation process, you need to excavate the land where the pavers will be laid. While excavating, you should also ensure that you level the ground as best as you can. A slight slope is recommended, which would provide adequate drainage for the pavers. A mistake some people make is assuming that as long as they have flattened the ground, their pavers would be ready for placement. Without adequate drainage, water will begin to pool around the pavers during inclement weather. This will eventually compromise the foundation of your pavers, making them come loose.
Installing pavers on an inept foundation
When some people consider pavers, they assume that they can simply be placed directly into the ground. Most commonly if they have sturdy soil. Although your pavers may seem to be securely in place, you need to bear in mind that inclement weather patterns could loosen the soil underneath. Thus, even if the soil was nicely compacted when you installed your pavers, the exposure to water will lead the ground to move about and this will displace your pavers. To be on the safe side it is always best to start with a foundation before the pavers are laid. An easy solution would be to have a layer of gravel that is compacted, which can be topped off with some sand to fill in any gaps present.
Installing pavers without rise support
Another mistake to be wary of would be the lack of rise support between your pavers. Since your pavers will be above ground, there will be spaces in between them. Leaving this space as it is will expose it to eventual erosion, which would compromise the stability of your pavers. Rise support can be provided in the form of grass growing in between the pavers, wood planks or any other material that would enhance the snug fit of the pavers.