Can I use pea gravel as a paver base?

While pea gravel can be used as a mulch alternative, garden border and other landscaping purposes, it is not the best choice for a patio base. If you use pea gravel beneath a patio, take a few simple steps to ensure the stability of the base before setting your surface stones, pavers or bricks.

What gravel is best for paver base?

Stone aggregate comes in a variety of sizes, but most experts recommend 3/4-inch gravel for paver bases. Crushed stone makes a solid paver base because it allows water drainage and is easy to work with. Like sand, crushed stone comes in several varieties.

Can I use gravel instead of paver base?

You can use gravel as a paver base as it performs the same function as paver base itself. While paver base is coarser and locks together more tightly than gravel, they are both used to form a thick layer over your landscape fabric which is then covered with sand that you lay the pavers on.

How do you install pavers in pea gravel?

how to make a DIY paver and pea gravel patio

1. Tools + materials.
2. Step One: determine the size and shape of your patio.
3. Step Two: Dig out the area of the patio.
4. Step Three: Lay Landscape Fabric.
5. Step Four: Lay Paver base + Sand.
6. Step Five: Lay pavers.
7. Step Six: Add Pea Gravel.

Do you need sand and gravel under pavers?

The principle to remember is this: your pavers are only as stable as the base they’re sitting on. That’s why you’ll need to lay a substantial gravel base on top of your dirt. After you lay gravel, you’ll need to spread a smooth layer of concrete sand for your pavers to settle in and stay.

Is pea gravel good for leveling?

“Leveling” is the proper term to use, but you do not want the patio to be level. A two-inch layer of crushed gravel covered by another two-inch layer of sand should be a good base for the patio. Always use crushed gravel, not pea gravel which will roll around.

Can I use gravel as a sub base?

If your builder uses the gravel he may find it will dissipate too easily into the ground and will spend more time and money to get the levels needed. I would not advise using the gravel. A well constructed base means your drive will never get sink holes.

Is paver base the same as crushed gravel?

Paver base is a crushed gravel mixture used to provide a solid foundation for interlocking pavers. The size of the aggregate usually ranges from 3/4 of an inch down to dust, so the material will lock together when compressed.

What can I use instead of paver base?

Paver Base Materials: Gravel The gravel allows moisture to get in and drain, and it also absorbs ground tension, which prevents the pavers from sinking. You can buy landscaping gravel, and crushed rock works best.

How do you keep pea gravel in between pavers?

Another trick: “The pea gravel is only lightly sprinkled on top of a layer of sand,” which sits below both the flagstones and the gravel to hold them in place. When laying out pavers or steppingstones during installation, keep in mind where your foot would fall in a natural stride. Place a paver there.

How do you keep pea gravel from moving?

Preventing the Spread of Pea Gravel The two most effective methods for stabilizing pea gravel are cement and permeable pavers. If you’re stabilizing pea gravel with cement, it will hold for a while until it’s eventually damaged by traffic and water exposure.

What happens if you don’t use gravel under pavers?

Laying pavers without a gravel base or without other small stabilizing materials means the bricks will sink and shift over time. When the bricks shift or sink, they create an uneven surface that poses a tripping hazard. A sand base surrounds and embraces the bricks and allows them to maintain their position securely.