Prepare the Base Material

Fill the area with the correct amount of granular material. Grade your base material as closely as possible to the final contour of the patio surface. Remember to slope all installations away from the house for drainage purposes. At least 4/1» per foot slope. Different grades of granular screenings are used depending on the depth of material required.

Compacting the granular base

The base preparation is the most important part of the entire process. Appropriate base material, thickness, and compaction are essential to ensure your installation will last a lifetime. Use a plate compactor and firmly compact the gravel base material. For best results compact no more than 3» of granular at one time. Most compactors like the one shown here are not capable of compacting more than 3» at a time. A hand tamper can be used in tight areas or when building steps