Levelling sand to lay the pavers...

vanderlay · Mar 17, 2008 8:12 am

Is there any easy way to level out the sand before we lay pavers....? We have level boards on 2 sides and brick walls on the other two and cant seem to get the sand level. All the hints and tips seem to rely on being able to get around to all four sides of the area....but we can only work from two sides which makes it hard to level out the sand!! :?:

Ta!

Dukekamaya · Mar 17, 2008 8:50 am

I'm assuming you have an aluminium float and spirit level?

vanderlay · Mar 17, 2008 8:52 am

ok....explain aluminium float! :cry:

_Al_ · Mar 17, 2008 9:05 am

vanderlay

ok....explain aluminium float! :cry:

Long piece of straight aluminium (or timber etc).....handle optional

One way to get the level is to put wooden pegs in the ground at the height you want the sand and make the sand flat between them. Put the pegs 6 foot or however long your float is. Then use the flattened areas to level the area in between. Use the side timbers as your first point and go from there.

Once done, pull the pegs out and fill in the holes. Should get you fairly close.

You should also compact the sand down, (water filled) roller will work, vibrating plate will too.

Another suggestion
Last time I paved, I used 50mm electrical conduits laid over my rock base to get the sand level. Conduits were 6 foot apart, so I ran float along the top of them to make it level. Area was about 4m wide and 7m long, so 3 6m long conduits worked great.Pull conduits out when finished and fill in the rut.

vanderlay · Mar 17, 2008 12:35 pm

Thanks Al.....yes we have a long piece of timber!

The area is small, only about 1.3m x 1.3m. So we really need to get pegs or boards up against the brick walls to be able to level it easily...

Michelle · Mar 17, 2008 12:46 pm

V……

float + 1 person either side of the float to drag = Level sand! :wink:

vanderlay · Mar 17, 2008 12:48 pm

Michelle

V……

float + 1 person either side of the float to drag = Level sand! :wink:

M...... brick walls on 2 sides = cant get one person either side to drag float! :wink:

Michelle · Mar 17, 2008 12:52 pm

vanderlay

Michelle

V……

float + 1 person either side of the float to drag = Level sand! :wink:

M...... brick walls on 2 sides = cant get one person either side to drag float! :wink:

What about the other 2 sides???

Anyway….just get in and level it yourself as you walk yourself out of the space??!!
:wink:

_Al_ · Mar 17, 2008 3:39 pm

1.3m x 1.3m....1200mm long level would be prefect for what you want.

Shovel in sand.
Spread and sort of level it, 10~20 mm higher than the timber at the sides.
Grab level, push down and add/remove sand to suit. Small mallet will help with levelling by tapping on level.
Pull level towards you a bit, repeat until you've edged back over 1.3m

And I wouldn't worry about fall in such a small area. Make it all level.

Dukekamaya · Mar 17, 2008 3:49 pm

_Al_

1.3m x 1.3m....1200mm long level would be prefect for what you want.

.

All you need is a 1200mm spirit level then

vanderlay · Mar 17, 2008 3:51 pm

Thanks guys, will give that a go using the level!

davinci · Mar 17, 2008 5:47 pm

vanderlay i get around your neck of the woods for family reasons will be there in 2 odd weeks i dont mind coming round and screeding it for you no obligations,charges etc can give you tips if needed at same time

if not as Al said get rock to required heigth , good idea to compact rock, if you dont have a compacter walk it in as much as possible

for a 1.3x1.3 you only need a wheel barrow of white wash sand

dont go thicker than 20-30mm (the thicker the more it sinks)

get a bag of gp cement and rake this into the sand , compact or walk the sand in and level as Al said conduit, stell rails etc

vanderlay · Mar 19, 2008 11:35 am

davinci

vanderlay i get around your neck of the woods for family reasons will be there in 2 odd weeks i dont mind coming round and screeding it for you no obligations,charges etc can give you tips if needed at same time

if not as Al said get rock to required heigth , good idea to compact rock, if you dont have a compacter walk it in as much as possible

for a 1.3x1.3 you only need a wheel barrow of white wash sand

dont go thicker than 20-30mm (the thicker the more it sinks)

get a bag of gp cement and rake this into the sand , compact or walk the sand in and level as Al said conduit, stell rails etc

Thanks for the generous offer! Hopefully we will be all done by then though...will rake in some cement and compact well. Thanks again...