Paving your property and dealing with weather
Turning your property’s paving into a picturesque landscape can be a vigorous and creative endeavor. Transforming what was once grass and dirt into a patio paradise or paved space can require a lot of time, and even more manpower. An unfortunate variable that can slow the process down is the weather. When bad weather strikes, different steps must be taken to make sure the job gets done. Fortunately, Norristown Brick not only has the manpower, but the proper tools and expertise to get your paving job done.
The optimal conditions for paving
Typically, the first step to paving results in drying the spot you wish to cover. If the spot is too wet, the water could blend with the gravel, sand, and mortar, not allowing it to settle right away. Under the best circumstances, this isn’t an issue. However, during the snow and rainy weather in March, this can be a bit of a problem. If the area is only moderately wet, you can simply wait it out and resume when it is dry. However, if you know a massive amount of precipitation is on the way, using a tarmac to cover the area is a good way to keep the area as dry as possible.
Starting the paving project
The next process is installing the edging. Here, we plant the outside rim that will help secure the slabs. At Norristown Brick we offer a vast selection of slabs and bricks, such as; standard pavers, lastra porcelain slabs, DevonStone paving slabs, Coventry pavers, and permeable pavers. It’s important to note that when installing the edges, that you secure them tightly into the ground using stakes or nails. However, if the soil beneath the surface is wet because of previous weather, the stakes and nails will not secure the edging tightly enough, causing it to move. A workaround here would be to lay down a modest amount of salt, allowing it to absorb the water on its own over time.
Completing your paved paradise
The final steps culminate in filling the area with sand and finally adding the pavers. Sand acts as a binder, creating a strong agent to keep the pavers and slabs together. Once again, the weather can play its hand, but this time, wind can play a factor. Sand is also very light, and it doesn’t take a large gust of wind to scatter sand. The most common way to prevent this is to use a heavier sand, typically soaked with some water or mortar. This allows it to stick easier and prevent it from being blown away. Also, patting the sand down forcefully when applying it will help.
Have more questions?
Weather can be a tricky obstacle to overcome, but patience and experience are the best tools you have when tackling a project like this. Norristown Brick is at your service and can answer any of your landscaping questions. If you wish to contact us, please call us at (610) 844-9450 or visit our website here.
