Things for Homeowners to consider before starting any project:

1. Research: gather information in regards to style and design. What do you want to accomplish? Do you want to create a driveway, walkway or patio?
2. Budget: What are you willing to spend? Try to gather information about product and price. For an example, all styles of Interlocking Pavers and Walls vary in price (variable expenses) but base materials still remain the same under all circumstances (fixed expenses). Also take into account miscellaneous items to help complete your project such as equipment rentals, bins and accessories (miscellaneous expenses).
3. Draw and Sketch: Translate your thoughts collected from accumulated inspiration to paper. Get an idea of the overall look that you want to accomplish.
4. Measurements: Measure all aspects of the project and translate it to paper. Be sure to include difference in grade and slope.
5. Quote: Visit Toemar Garden Supplies today and receive your step-by-step quotation.
6. Order in advance: Be sure to gather enough information of availability and delivery turnaround, all Hardscape products have a minimum of 24 hours for delivery. While bulk materials and bin rentals will have a turnaround of 4 to 6 hours for delivery.

Calculating the Square Footage: Take the length and multiply it by the width (ex: 10 feet x 12 feet = 120 square feet). From here you can take the square footage and apply it to the desired Interlocking Paver (ex: I will need 120 square feet of Bellagio Interlocking Pavers).

Recommended Installation Chart:

Calculating Cubic Yards: Take the square footage and multiply it by the depth (in inches) and divide that number by 300 (ex: 120 square feet x 4 inches = 480… now take 480 ÷ 300 = 1.6 cubic yards of 3/4” Crush Run). Before you come up with the final amount consider settling and compaction of 10-15% (ex: 1.6 cubic yards + 15% = 1.84 cubic yards)… by simply rounding up 1.84 to the nearest ½ cubic yard, now you know to order 2 cubic yards of 3/4” Crush Run.

Installing the BASE for interlocking pavers and retaining walls

1. Dig/excavate sanctioned area at the appropriate depth taking into account what the application specifically is (eg: a standard/residential driveway will require a minimum of 10 to 12 inches).
2. Begin to fill up excavated area with the appropriate aggregate.
3. Grade the aggregate/base materials with a steel rake and or 3’ landscape rake
4. In a series of layers begin to compact the aggregate/base materials using a plate vibrator/compactor or hand tamper.
5. For Interlocking Pavers be sure to check the grade using a level, the area should slope away from the house to the proper exit points (i.e. property lines or catch basins), IF YOU ARE INSTALLING A WALL THE BASE UNDERNEATH THE WALL SHOULD BE 100% LEVEL.
6. When you are satisfied with the level and surface of the compacted sub base begin to level out the fine grade.
7. The fine grade or bedding should be worked with a 3’ landscape rake or flat edge piece of lumber. Be very intricate at this stage, it is best to be working at ground level to ensure proper level.

Interlocking Pavers – Installation

1. Using string lines and a square, begin to set up the desired starting points.
2. If installing pavers with various sizes, segregate all sizes/shapes to avoid problems with ratios.
3. Lay the first set of pavers or tiles and work in an outwards direction (ex: from the foundation of the home outwards).
4. Check the initial starting point with a square to ensure you have a perfect 90°.
5. Install all pavers or tiles and leave all cuts to the very end of the installation.
6. Continuously check lines, this will ensure everything is lined up the more you progress outwards, the use of a rubber mallet will help to straighten and tighten up lines.
7. Cut pavers at the very end of the project using a cut-off saw or table saw.

Interlocking Pavers – Finishing

1. Install Aluminum or Plastic Edge for paver/tile restraint (using spikes).
2. Install Polymeric Sand using a broom and then apply water on the surface using a garden hose. The recommended installation temperature is 10° C or higher.
3. Apply Sealer to the interlocking pavers or tiles after 30 to 60 days of the initial installation using a paint roller and or pump sprayer. The recommended installation temperature is 10° C or higher.

Retaining Walls – Installation

1. Using a string line, begin to set up desired shape and starting point.
2. Install all bottom units one block at a time.
3. Place a level on the bottom unit, adjust accordingly using a rubber mallet before installing the next bottom unit.
4. Leave cutting to the completion of the layer.
5. Backfill every layer using 3/4” Clear Gravel, this will add stability and strength to the bottom units.
6. Once the first layer is complete begin to install the second layer (if needed) of bottom units.
7. You can check the level at this point but all of the work should have been completed on layer one.
8. Be sure to stager the next set of bottom units to avoid a block directly on top of a block, this will ensure stability of the wall.
9. Make all the cuts necessary to complete final layer.
10. Place coping/cap units on the bottom units.
11. Make final cuts on coping/cap.

Retaining Walls – Finishing

1. Use adhesive to bound coping/cap units to the bottom units, surface must be free of dust and moisture to ensure the perfect bond.