How to lay paving slabs in the country

In many cottages you can see the pavement tiled. Finishing of country paths with paving slabs is a rather practical and popular way of arranging the territory near the house, therefore the question "How can I put a tile with my own hands?" occurs quite often.

How to choose a tile to the country

When choosing the type of track to the country (from paving slabs) you need to pay attention to the material of manufacture. Be sure to study the label, which indicates the production technology and the composition of the solution. In addition, choosing a tile, determine its place of laying. For example, in the case of arranging the track for the car's entry, it is better to use vibrating pressed tiles with a thickness of 4.5 centimeters. If your goal is sidewalk in the country (around the house), then it is better to choose a cast tile (its thickness should not exceed 3 centimeters).

Be sure to decide whether you want a rough or smooth tile surface.It is also worth paying attention to its color, as it may be too saturated due to cheap paints, and over time, such a surface will become too loose.

Carefully inspect the tile, if its outer side is stained, you know, during the manufacture of clay and sand were added to it. If the tile for your country lanes should have a more aesthetic look and beautiful, unusual color, then pay attention to the tile in the form of scales. This tile has a wide variety of colors and it is quite simple to lay.

How to prepare the foundation, digging a trench

Before you start laying, you need to prepare the surface on which the tile will fall. Regardless of which coating you choose, you need to dig a trench in which a sand and gravel pad will quietly be placed under the paving slabs. The exact depth of the soil to be removed can only be calculated by determining the future tile, because everything depends on its type and size.

After removing the extra earth layer, carefully tamp the pad.Then boldly fill the hole with rubble. If this is a sidewalk, then 20 centimeters is enough, but if you are building an access road or parking, you will need to increase the layer of rubble to 30 centimeters. Pour sand over the rubble, about 10 centimeters. Distribute it evenly over the entire surface so that it fills the entire void between rubble. If necessary, do not be afraid to fill up more sand. In the end, you should get a perfectly flat pillow, which your tile will later fall on.

Laying curb

The border plays an important role in laying the walkway at the cottage from paving slabs. First of all, it performs decorative functions, as it gives a certain finished look to the finished coating. However, this is not the only function of the curb. It is also installed for more reliable strengthening of the pavement and protection from destruction.

The installation of the curb is an important point during the laying of paving slabs. Like paving slabs, it is quite simple to install, so the installation with your own hands at the cottage is quite real.

To install the curb you need:

1. Mark the area on which the border will be installed and tighten the string between the pegs.
2. Dig a trench under the curb. Tamp the bottom for a tight base.
3. Fill the pit with rubble and sand, moisten with water.
4. Make a solution of rubble, sand, water and cement.
5. Install a curb in the trench. Level and fill with mortar.
6. If cracks are formed, they need to be poured with a mixture of dry cement and sand, and then add water.

When everything is dry, laying the tracks in the country will not be a problem, and at the end you will have a reliable and dense surface.

Staged tile laying process

Before you begin laying tiles, you need to prepare all the necessary tools and materials, as well as determine the slope level of the selected area. Thanks to him, rainwater will not stagnate on the path, and calmly flow down to the ground.

Tile cushion

Immediately before laying, it is necessary to prepare a pillow under the tile (a layer of cleaned and sifted sand). For this you need:

1. To stretch the string, which will level the sidewalk;
2. Align the previous layers well, level the horizontal level with the help of the construction level;
3. How can you smooth the sifted sand on the ground? Using a rake to level the sand on the level of stretched twine.

After leveling the entire surface, moisten the sand slightly, but do not make it too wet. Due to this, the pillow will become more dense and adjust to the desired level.

Laying tiles

Once the cushion under the tile is ready, you can proceed to laying the pavement in the country with their own hands. It is better to start from the main element of the landscape or from the front door. When working, the tile must be pressed tightly to the base. Each part of it is compacted with a wooden bar and a rubber hammer. To do this, tap a bar on a tile that has already been laid in the right place. After laying all the elements of the tile, process the pavement with a vibrating plate, which will help to finally install the finishing material.

When laying paving slabs, it is important to remember that a gap should be left between the individual elements. Also, when buying, you need to take the corner tiles, which have rounded edges.

Final stage

After the paving slabs are fully laid out and laying with your own hands at the dacha is completed, you need to place the gaps between the tiles: scatter the sand-cement mortar over the entire surface of the laid path and mark it with a broom across the gaps.

Pour water on the surface of the track, but do not overdo it, otherwise you risk washing the solution out of the slots. Trim the edges of the track with a grinder, if necessary.