Make an ideal garden path is not easy and not cheap. How to save and not lose? The example of the construction of the footpath from homemade tiles is based on the use of a simplified technology of laying on the sand without the use of enclosing curbs.
The choice in favor of the production of concrete tiles with their own hands is already based on the desire to reduce costs. Products are cast, how accurately it turned out to find the boundary between economy and quality - time will tell. We proceed to lay paving slabs and make a garden path with low costs.
The essence of the technology:
The content of the article
- 1 The essence of the technology:
- 1.1 When it is possible not to remove the existing layer of soil:
- 1.2 Borders are not allowed to be installed if:
- 1.3 Which paving slabs are suitable for simplified laying:
- 2 Tools and materials
- 2.1 Preparation of the base for the track
- 2.2 Leveling device
- 2.3 Laying the sand tiles
- 2.4 Finishing the track
Klassic pavement paving involves the excavation of a large bed of soil, the arrangement of a compacted foundation and the framing of the perimeter by curbs. In certain situations it is permissible to make it easier and do without laborious operations.
When you can not remove the existing layer of soil:
- There is no thick vegetation.
- This is sand, crushed stone or earth in compacted condition.
- The surface level corresponds to the elevations of the future pavement.
- No problems with groundwater.
Curbs are not allowed to be placed if:
- The track is intended for walking.
- The leveling will be within the range of 50-80 mm.
Which sidewalk tile is suitable for simplified laying:
- Thickness - from 35 mm.
- The width is from 100 mm.
As an option, a smaller paving block is suitable for filling the inside of the track.
Tools and materials
For the laying of paving slabs by yourself, you will need:
- Garden wheelbarrow;
- Bucket;
- Shovels - bayonet and shovel;
- Trowel;
- Construction level;
- Roulette;
- Metal pegs;
- Elastic twine;
- Hammer for metalwork;
- Scissors;
- Rubber mallet;
- Bulgarian and disc on stone;
- Watering can or hose with sprayer;
- Broom.
Also in use, use water from a barrel or from a water pipe. The calculated amount of sand depends on the area covered and the thickness of the leveling layer. On average, one wheelbarrow( 6-7 buckets) is enough for a device of a track about 2 m long with its width of 60 cm and a thickness of a sand pillow 3-5 cm, including the finish filling of seams.
In order to prevent the sand from tumbling out of the tile in the track structure, geotextile is used. Without a non-woven material, tiles can "swim" and weeds can grow. Of course, over time, vegetation will appear in the upper layer, but it is easier to fight with it - shallow roots are easily removed with manual weeding.
Preparing the base for the track
Before laying, determine the height of the pavement and assess the condition of the ground.
The site intended for paving is a footpath, trampled over many years, strewn with building debris and slightly overgrown on the sides. The path is raised above the surrounding surface, the water from it rolls down. The height of the embankment suits us, as well as the width. Closing the pavement is planned self-made concrete tiles in sizes of 45x140x210 mm.
After analyzing the condition of the soil and the material for paving, we conclude that the laying of the track is really done using a simplified technology.
After estimating the future contours of the path, we cut the upper layer of the ground with a bayonet shovel a few centimeters.
We remove from the surface a rare grass and protruding more than 10 mm stones, pull out the roots.
We stick the shovel shallow, trying not to break the compacted reservoir. In the end we get a shallow trench.
Leveling device
Define the boundary of the path and hammer the pegs with a hammer. We bind the string at a distance of 70-90 mm from the ground, simultaneously exposing it not horizontally, but in accordance with the planned slope of the path.
Fill the trench with a layer of sand 20-30 mm thick, raking it with a bayonet shovel.
We spread the embankment, focusing on the twine and on the bubble level. We do not need special precision, the main thing is to create an even foundation without holes and bumps.
We sip the sand with water from the watering can until it forms puddles on the surface.
Check the embankment readiness, walking along the surface. On a well-compacted sandy surface, only shallow tracks from the shoes remain.
base. If necessary, add sand, filling the formed depressions.
Again, we work as a rule, pulling and scooping the excesses "to yourself."
Re-water and check the quality of for .For a single approach, we prepare a section 2-2.5 m long, then move on.
Laying tiles on sand
We cut geotextile in size and spread over the surface.
We install the mounting layer , using sieved sand without clay and stone particles.
By leveling the plane, taking it out to the level of placement of pavers. The distance from the string to the sand should be equal to the thickness of the tile.
rule We compact the sand layer with water, just like the first leveling layer. The horizontality of the surface along the width of the track is controlled by the level.
After laying one tile, tap on top with a rubber hammer and heat into the sand to the level of marking.
Align the side of the tile with the twine tied.
Homemade concrete products often differ in thickness, follow this and add sand if necessary.
Similarly, lay the rest of the tiles, placing them end-to-end. Obligatory technological gaps between products, which serve to compensate for temperature fluctuations, will appear themselves, since later there will be a slight discrepancy of the tiles( 2-3 mm).
In the course of the work, we check the flatness of the laid linen level and immediately eliminate the shortcomings.
After laying out the entire garden path, cut out the extra non-woven material at a distance of 30-50 mm from the edge of the sidewalk.
Finishing the track
On both sides of the path, use a shovel to sand the sand and level it on the top plane of the tile.
Master we fill gaps between concrete elements.
We sweep the path with a broom, removing excess sand or, conversely, adding it to the formed gaps.
Now watered and see where you should repeat the filling of the seams.
After completion of the whole disassembled process we get an even garden path, ready for operation.
The considered variant of laying concrete tiles is the cheapest, but reliable enough with the appropriate approach. Having fulfilled all the conditions of the technological chain, you will get a durable sidewalk cloth, but a much smaller total cost.