Paving slabs can be used to create a blind area around your home, which is a visually pleasing and useful way to control water runoff and enhance curb appeal. This easy project deflects rainwater away from your foundation, which not only improves the appearance of your property but also helps to stop erosion and water damage.
This project is doable by you if you have some basic tools and prepare ahead of time. To lay out paving slabs correctly, you’ll need to measure the space, select the appropriate slabs, and adhere to a few simple instructions. You can easily change the area around your house with the help of this guide, regardless of your level of experience with do-it-yourself projects.
By following these steps, you can achieve a professional-looking result without the need for specialized skills. Let’s dive into the process and get your paving slabs set up to create a beautiful and functional blind area for your home.
Step | Description |
1 | Plan the layout around your house. Decide where the blind area will go and mark the area with stakes and string. |
2 | Excavate the marked area to a depth of about 4-6 inches. Make sure to level the base to ensure a smooth surface. |
3 | Add a layer of gravel or crushed stone to the base. This will help with drainage and prevent water from pooling under the paving slabs. |
4 | Compact the gravel with a tamper or plate compactor to create a stable base for the paving slabs. |
5 | Lay down a layer of sand on top of the gravel. Level the sand to create an even surface for the paving slabs. |
6 | Start laying the paving slabs, beginning from one corner and working your way out. Leave a small gap between each slab for grout or joint filler. |
7 | Once all slabs are laid, use a rubber mallet to tap them into place and ensure they are level. |
8 | Fill the gaps between the slabs with joint filler or grout. Sweep off any excess material. |
9 | Clean the surface of the slabs to remove any dust or debris. |
10 | Allow the area to settle and cure according to the grout or joint filler manufacturer’s instructions before using it. |
- Why choose paving slabs
- Preparing the site
- Marking
- Base for the blind area
- Creation of a hydraulic lock
- Sanding sand
- Installing a curb
- Crushed stone
- Laying tiles
- Sealing the seams
- Laying on a concrete blind area
- Laying on an existing blind area
- Design of the blind area
- Video on the topic
- Features and subtleties of the device of a blind area from paving slabs
- Installation of a blind area from paving slabs in the Yaroslavl region, KP "Solnechny Bor" part 1
- Flexible blind area with your own hands | HOW MUCH DOES IT COST || Membrane + geotextile
- Stages of work on the device of a blind area around the house from paving slabs
- Blind area from tiles | House pavement
- BLIND AREA FROM PAVEMENT TILES
Why choose paving slabs
Tile blind areas are used far more frequently, even though concrete is readily available and inexpensive. The following characteristics and benefits of the coating account for its widespread popularity:
- Extended service life. Even after several years of operation, the tile surface retains a presentable appearance and looks beautiful. Experts say that the operational term exceeds 20-40 years. At the same time, the material is not afraid of exposure to negative temperatures, precipitation and other negative factors.
- The possibility of arranging a blind area from paving slabs with your own hands. A home craftsman will not have to resort to the help of specialists or use expensive equipment and machinery.
- Laying tiles is carried out without preliminary fixing of the reinforcing frame.
- Ease of maintenance and repair in case of defects and damage.
- Beautiful appearance and a wide selection of shades, textures and design solutions. This solution looks more beautiful than concrete or asphalt concrete pavements. It goes well with plant paths and other elements of landscape design. The pavement also does not accumulate dirt or puddles, since the water immediately ends up in the soil.
A relatively low cost can be added to the list of benefits. Furthermore, if premium raw materials were utilized in the production of the tiles, any drawbacks will be eliminated.
Preparing the site
The first step in laying paving slabs on the blind area is site preparation. It is called a bed by builders. In the event that an old pavement exists, it must be taken apart. It is advisable to eliminate a portion of the foundation concealed beneath the cushion. You should remove the soil layer if the house is new. In order to set up a storm sewer system, the side opposite the foundation needs to be deeplyened.
It is advised to wait a full year following foundation installation in order to reduce the possibility of soil voids and give the soil time to compact. Precipitation has the potential to destroy the foundation if this pause persists longer.
The curb’s features determine the bed’s width. To avoid having to trim the material later, it is advisable to compare it with the tile’s dimensions. The procedure will cost less in this instance.
The height of the foundation layers is taken into consideration when choosing the blind area’s depth. Although 400 mm is used when installing the bed, it is typically 150 mm. It is not necessary to set up a clay castle if the soil layer is mostly composed of clay.
Big mounds of dirt appear when land is removed. It is best to plan ahead for where they can be positioned. If not, traversing the embankment will present a variety of challenges. Pre-compaction is applied to the bottom layer until it reaches its maximum density and becomes immobile.
Paving slabs can be used to create a blind area around your house, which is a useful do-it-yourself project that not only improves curb appeal but also aids in water drainage and lessens erosion. This article will walk you through the process of properly planning, preparing, and laying paving slabs so you can be proud of the long-lasting and attractive outcome.
Marking
It’s crucial to mark the blind area well when beginning to install paving slabs. To achieve this, a rope is stretched between unique pegs that are affixed to the corners of the bed. A building level can be used to guarantee a good and even tension.
As per SNiP III-10-75 requirements, the edge cannot be allowed to bend more than 10 mm. When organizing straight sections, this kind of standard is essential.
Base for the blind area
In order to create a blind area out of paving slabs, a solid foundation for the structure that will be built later on must be provided. It is layered, paying attention to the technology used for installation.
The bed’s design gives the impression that it is a layered cake in this section. It is advised to lessen the layer’s thickness in order to save materials.
Creation of a hydraulic lock
A small slope that will allow extra liquid to drain should be kept in mind when setting up the blind area. It can be applied when the final layer is being laid or when the clay is being poured. The bottom is fully compacted before a 5-centimeter layer of clay is applied. It is occasionally swapped out for a concrete mixture. The thickness is raised to 15 cm in this instance. Such a layer has good water absorption.
It is advised to leave the space between the base and the blind area in order to lessen the side load on the foundation. After that, either roofing is installed or sand is applied. It is also permitted to use foam, which effectively isolates and balances the load.
The PVC film, geotextiles, and roofing material serve as the foundation for the hydraulic recovery. The canvas cannot be pulled when it is laid. If not, there’s a chance that the film will shatter when the soil freezes.
It is necessary to position the pipe on the film’s edge and cover it with gravel when installing the storm system. A similar precaution is required to prevent the building from becoming clogged with various types of waste. It is also necessary to have a stormy and pipe-livnevka pipe available. The technology’s unique simplicity and low cost make it in high demand.
Sanding sand
Five centimeters is the ideal sand layer thickness. Using specialized nozzles, the surface should be sprayed with liquid before being compacted. These are used as tips for special sprayers and for watering gardens or vegetable gardens from a watering can.
Watering doesn’t stop until tiny puddles appear. It’s crucial to hold off until they begin to compact and dry out. A base like this will shield the blind area effectively from moisture infiltration and crushed stone damage.
Installing a curb
A curb’s installation should be taken into consideration when arranging a blind area around a house by hand. It is leveled with a building level and fastened with pegs along a stretched cord. Cement covers the exterior, which is a crucial requirement to prevent the tiles from creeping. You can use a plastic curb in place of the traditional concrete one.
Crushed stone
Gravel backfill should have a thickness of between 50 and 100 mm. The amount of precipitation in your area determines the precise numbers.
It is acceptable to take out the wooden pegs holding the curb after the crushed stone has been placed. After that, you should compact the gravel and add sand to it.
Should the room have a cellar or basement, more insulation may be applied to the blind area. This is accomplished by compacting and laying a layer of sand that is 50 mm thick. You can only apply the final layer once you have finished the tasks on the list.
Laying tiles
You should study the step-by-step instructions and technology for laying tiles for the blind area in order to comprehend how to lay paving stones correctly. To avoid damaging the cushion layer, experts advise beginning work from the foundation side and fixing the tiles away from you. Every structure needs to be set up in the designated spot and pounded with a rubber mallet.
Use a building level to level the area, and only use a board to strike any paving stone damage. You will be able to prevent the tiles from deforming in this situation.
There is a gap of 2 mm between every tile. A unique lock that is found on various tile product types is what causes this gap to occur. It’s crucial to maintain the edging tile if there isn’t a border.
Sealing the seams
The seams are sealed using the same material as the blind area’s last layer. Use a dry mixture and follow a 4:1 ratio when placing a cement-sand cushion. Using a broom, it is dispersed over the tile. Watering the surface afterward helps the cement set and offers the best possible reinforcement.
Laying on a concrete blind area
In many private areas, paving slabs are laid on a concrete blind area. Such a coating is unstable, though, and can have detrimental effects on the environment. If the installation technology is not used, it also becomes brittle. Any such issues cause the material to crumble or crack, resulting in unnecessary expenses.
Concrete is used to set up a hydraulic lock and serves as a bed. Additionally, it aids in strengthening the blind area, which is crucial when driving on the surface. When determining how to install tiles, you should use the following technology:
- We take out the soil to the required depth.
- We arrange the formwork.
- We install polystyrene foam on the foundation, which will act as insulation.
- We pour out a sand and crushed stone layer.
- We lay a reinforced layer and fix wooden spacers to compensate for the expansion joint.
- We pour the concrete mixture.
It is imperative that you follow the designated pouring slope when you pour the mixture because it will not be achievable afterwards. Follow the right ratios when combining concrete; if you don’t, the mixture won’t be robust enough. The curb installation and formwork removal are the following steps. Only when the concrete has fully solidified can the finishing layer be applied.
The material is covered with decorative tiles, and mortar is used to seal the gaps and joints. The basement will be shielded from strong frosts by the presence of an insulating layer.
Laying on an existing blind area
It’s critical to properly tile over any concrete blind areas that were laid earlier. After completing a few preparatory tasks, you can begin installation work. You should adhere to these guidelines in order to do this:
- Assess the condition of the installed blind area.
- Eliminate any damage and defects. A similar stage consists of sealing cracks and delaminations using cement paste, where liquid glass is present. If the damage is large enough, it should be removed and start pouring a new blind area.
- Installing the curb. A similar stage is one of the key ones in the entire work. Considering the placement of the old blind area, it is further strengthened with a higher layer.
- Primer treatment.
- Laying tiles.
Once you’ve finished every step, it’s time to seal the seams.
Design of the blind area
A flower bed is laid out on the blind area to make it look better and create a lovely landscape design. Complete flower beds can be set up by building specific border-based fences and filling the resulting depressions with soil.
If water from the flower beds is not adequately drained from the base of the building, the structure will continue to distort. Every earthen pit has an extra drain attached to it. The ideal size of the depressions is necessary to avoid issues with shrub growth.
Plants need to have balanced irrigation for healthy growth. It is chosen with consideration for the needs of every planting.
When there is a lot of rain, the flower bed should be covered to avoid root rot. Nutrient-rich fertilizers from open ground must also be added to the soil.
Climbing plants can be used to arrange a fashionable design.
Paving slab blind areas are a rewarding do-it-yourself project that improve your home’s appearance and functionality. By taking the proper measures, you can create a long-lasting and eye-catching perimeter that keeps water damage to the foundation of your house and gives your outdoor area a polished appearance.
Even if you’re new to do-it-yourself projects, you can manage this one with proper planning and the right supplies. Every stage, from preparing the ground to placing the slabs, is necessary to guarantee a sturdy and polished finish. Recall that the results are significantly affected by the attention to detail.
You’ll benefit from better drainage and a polished, finished look throughout your house once you’ve finished your blind area. This easy improvement may have a significant impact on your yard, whether you’re getting ready for winter or just giving it a facelift.