Technical Resource Guide_WEB_BEL25-D-516650 - Page 7 of 84

7 | belgard ® product installation guide | belgard.com | 877-235-4273 Paving Systems Installation Guide SITE PREPARATION Prior to excavation notify local utility companies to ensure digging does not damage underground utilities. Excavate area a minimum of 8" below finished grade (in freeze- thaw climates or site requiring additional base, 10 or 12" excavation may be needed). Be sure to over excavate a minimum of 6" beyond the perimeter of the paver area. Compact subgrade to 98% Standard Proctor density and ensure the subgrade slopes 1-2% in the desired direction. Place the proper geotextile over the subgrade and up along the side walls if required (a separation fabric can prevent the migration of soil into the base layer). BASE INSTALLATION Add 4-8" of base material or more if required in the design. Compact to 98% Standard Proctor density in 2-4" lift thickness increments. The maximum lift thickness is based on the type of compaction equipment used. Use road base material (dense-graded aggregate) commonly used in your project area. INSTALL THE EDGE RESTRAINTS Install paver edge restraint on compacted base. Options include spiked plastic, steel or aluminum edging. If poured-in-place concrete curbs are used as a restraint, they should be placed on compacted aggregate in accordance with local requirements. Edge restraints must be installed at the correct level. A minimum of 1" vertical restraining surface should be available for contact with the side of the paver. Follow the installation instructions of the edge restraint manufacturer. INSTALL THE BEDDING SAND Place at least two pipes of 1-inch outside diameter directly on the base. Place them 6 to 8 feet apart and parallel to each other. Add nominal 1" uncompacted bedding sand layer and screed to level. Use concrete sand. Masonry sand, screenings or stone dust should never be used. The sand should be moist but not wet or saturated. Use a screed bar or a straight piece of wood to screed the sand smooth. Pull the screed bar across the pipes several times until the area of sand is perfectly smooth. Remove the pipes and fill the voids with sand. Level these areas with a trowel. Don’t walk on or disturb the screeded and leveled sand. PLACE THE CONCRETE PAVERS Start in the corner, if you have one in your design, and check to see that it is a 90-degree corner. Place a border course around the entire edge, then place the pavers in the desired pattern. Continue to screed bedding sand and place pavers on the sand while maintaining consistent joint widths. Use a string line to keep pavers straight. Cut pavers as needed to fill in at the edges next to the border course. Use a diamond blade to cut the pavers. Install edge restraints. Install bedding sand. Place pavers.