Finishing my paver patio project!

Hello all,

So, I have completed a lot of the work required to build my 500Sqft paver patio.  However, I had to use a retaining wall around it because the slope of the area was more than the slope for the patio.  I used Basalite classic retaining wall block and had the bright idea of using the lip on the block to hold in all the perimeter pavers.  I also used crusher fines, aka breeze, for the entire base and am thinking about using it all the way up to the pavers and not using sand.

I am not real happy of how this is all shaping up.  I did a "paver test bed" with the landing on the patio (see pic).  I found that the pavers that are not resting over the retaining wall block are sinking in more than the ones resting directly on the block.  The sand for the cracks is spilling out of the perimeter and it is impossible to adjust the pavers resting on the block since there is no wiggle room.

My questions are:

How should I proceed?????

Should I use a sand layer?

If so, should I extend it over the retaining wall?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Here is a video of it...

http://youtu.be/7tbXSQp1-Qo

Thanks,

Kyle

Watch this video and compare it to what you have done. 

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Hi Ron,

Thanks for the reply.  I saw that video before I started this project and it really didn't help me much because my ground slopes so much, my patio is not square, and they don't have to deal with retaining wall block.  

Thanks,

Kyle

Hi Kyle..

The methods are the same except you are adding the wall and have a slope. 

1. Determine the height of the wall.

2. Mark the lay out of the wall.

3. Start at the lowest point and dig the trench for the wall ( only 1-1/2 blocks should be under the ground and the bottom one can be a solid 4" x 8" x 16" concrete block), this will save you some money. As you lay the wall block leading to the high ground you step the ground so that only 1-1/2 blocks are under ground.

4. Once the retaining wall is done you can level the ground making sure to tamp every 6" of lift dirt. If you are using the sled tamp make it 3" of lift dirt. Take the dirt from the high end to the low end, then tamp ( you may need additional dirt). When done you should have the proper height inside the wall to allow for your sand and pavers.

5. Then follow the methods in the videos. 

If your pavers are sinking you have not tamped everything properly. Over a period of time they will settle a little.