58
Fix it
BEFORE YOU START
Laying pavers
Ensure the surface is flat, even and solid before setting out the pavers, which are raised off the ground to allow for the planting
1
2
3
4
5
6
Use tile cleaner on the top of the pavers, washing away the residue. Apply a natural-look sealer using a mini roller, working quickly to apply two coats, then leave to dry for a couple of hours. Tip: Sealing pavers before laying keeps them looking cleaner for longer.
Rake the space to create a flat, even surface. Then position the pavers, spacing them using 184mm-wide timber offcuts. At the corners of the setup, use a mallet to tap metal pegs into the ground, leaving them to protrude by 50mm, then run string around the pegs.
Ground work
Soften the look of pavers with mondo grass ‘grouting’ – here’s how
A
Wearing a mask, fill a bucket to just over half with quick set concrete then fill the rest with road base, combining with a trowel. Reposition a spacer next to the first paver, remove paver, then trowel concrete mix over the square to create a level base 20mm high.
green groundcover growing between pavers lends an impeccably manicured look. With this technique, you can lay on lawn, sand or soil, and there’s no need for major excavation; if laying on an established lawn, simply remove the top layer of turf with a shovel, then level and pack down the soil beneath.
Use a watering can to saturate the concrete mix then work quickly to position the first paver, agitating it slightly onto the base to sit evenly. Check that it’s flat using a spirit level, tapping into position with a rubber mallet and checking for square against the string.
TOOLS & MATERIALS
Two 184mm x 400mm spacers, cut from pine offcuts Metal spikes or pegs Builder’s string Quick set concrete (one 20kg bag for six pavers) Road base (half a 20L bag for six pavers) Top soil or compost (one 25L bag for six pavers) Mondo grass (one large tray surrounds six pavers)
Set the pavers, one at a time, positioning spacers either side as the formwork for trowelling on the concrete mix. Use a spirit level to check each paver is level with the adjacent pavers, tapping into position. Leave the concrete to cure for at least two hours.
Your DIY toolkit 3
1 2
bunnings.com.au |
bunnings |
bunnings
4
5
6
Wearing gardening gloves, use a trowel to create a 20mm-deep layer of top soil or compost between the pavers. Make holes for the mondo grass and plant them out evenly, adding more soil as needed. Water well, and keep moist till established. ◆ 1 Tuscan Path ‘Thinline’ 25cm garden edge spikes, $14.75/pack of 5, I/N: 3321730. 2 ‘Nana Mini’ mondo grass. 3 3M P2 particulate, lawn and garden valved respirator, $14.98/pack of 2, I/N: 0123560. 4 Bondall ‘Betta Tilecare’ tile & grout cleaner, $16.90/750ml, I/N: 6829060. 5 Cyclone ‘Soft Touch’ trowel hand tool, $8.40, I/N: 3361122. 6 Bondall ‘Betta Tilecare’ natural look sealer, $19.90/1L, I/N: 6650293. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Photography Anna Robinson. Project, instructions and steps photography Natasha Dickins
Safety gear Mini roller and tray Rake Rubber mallet Bucket Gardening trowel Watering can Spirit level T ile cleaner 400mm x 400mm x 40mm concrete pavers Clear matt paver sealer