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Pavers add color and texture to walkways, pool areas, patios and more. However, there are some paver installation mistakes that can make your new patio unattractive.

Here we are going to tell you about some common paver installation mistakes that you should avoid when carrying out this project.

A compacted base layer is key to making your paver installation last and look its best. Whatever material you install on the foundation, it should be firmly felt before placing the concrete.

A steel compactor for small areas may work, but we recommend renting a gas plate compactor for larger areas.

When you are installing a paver patio or walkway leading to your garden, you will need a slope. This step allows water to flow out and away from your workplace and prevents damage from moisture buildup over time.

However, that doesn’t mean you should necessarily build a steep slope. A slight slope of about 1/4 inch per foot of length will ensure adequate drainage without creating a noticeable slope.

Laying pavers without a base is one of the biggest paver installation mistakes you can make, but that’s not all you need to do to ensure perfection.

You’ll need to use something more reliable than dirt to build your base. Since soil shrinks about 30%, it is not suitable for foundation because it will cause the pavers to move or look crooked over time.

Another common mistake when installing pavers is not placing a deep enough base. Expect to dig a 4 to 6-inch base for almost any paver installation job, but in some cases, up to 9 inches may be necessary.

The more weight you expect to cover the surfaces the deeper the base should be.

Unlike the base layer, which needs to be compacted before installing the pavers, the layer of sand on top does not necessarily need this treatment.

This is because sand has a granular composition that actually compacts, unlike stones or soil, which are often uneven in size and are more likely to contain voids or air pockets if not compacted.