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🛠️ What It Really Takes to Lay Pavers Correctly 1. Excavation Before the first paver even hits the ground, we have to dig—a lot. Most patios and walkways require 6–10 inches of excavation, depending on the project. That means removing soil, roots, rocks, and even old concrete. DIY Pain Point: Hand digging is exhausting, and improperly excavated bases cause sagging and drainage problems. 2. Base Prep and Compaction This is where professionals separate themselves from quick weekend warriors. We layer and compact a gravel base in several lifts (typically #57 stone or crush-and-run), ensuring a solid, stable foundation that won’t shift or settle over time. Key Step: Each layer is compacted using a plate compactor—something most homeowners don’t own or use correctly. 3. Slope and Drainage Planning Water is your worst enemy if you don't plan for it. Proper paver installation requires a precise slope (usually 1/8" per foot) away from structures to prevent water pooling and foundation damage. Professional Touch: We use lasers or string lines to ensure perfect pitch. That’s something hard to eyeball. 4. Edge Restraints Ever seen pavers that “bleed” out into the grass or crumble at the edges? That’s what happens when edge restraints are skipped. We install secure restraints and spike them in to lock your pavers in place for good. 5. Sand Bedding and Paver Placement Before placing the pavers, we spread a precise layer of screeded bedding sand (not too thick, not too thin) over the compacted base. Then the real art begins—laying each paver by hand, aligned and level. Reality Check: A 300 sq ft patio can require laying 1,000+ pavers. That’s a lot of bending, kneeling, adjusting, and sweating. 6. Cutting and Finishing Not all pavers fit perfectly out of the box. Corners, curves, and borders require precision cuts with a wet saw or guillotine splitter. It’s messy, loud, and technical. What we bring: The right tools and expertise to make those custom cuts flawless. 7. Joint Sand and Final Compaction We sweep polymeric sand into the joints and compact the whole area again to lock everything in. Then we mist the surface so the sand hardens, creating a weed-resistant, interlocking seal. 👷 Why You Should Hire Professionals Like HLG Growers ✅ We bring the crew: Our team works efficiently, completing in a few days what might take you weeks. ✅ We own the tools: Plate compactors, wet saws, laser levels—tools that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. ✅ We know the soil: Charleston’s sandy, shifting ground takes know-how to build on properly. ✅ We guarantee our work: Unlike DIY, our professional installs come with peace of mind. ✅ You get a long-term investment: Done right, a paver patio or driveway can last 20–30+ years. 💬 Final Thought Yes, laying pavers is hard work—and that’s exactly why it’s worth having someone who does it every day do it right the first time. At HLG Growers, we combine artistry with engineering, bringing beautiful outdoor spaces to life across Charleston, Summerville, Mt. Pleasant, and beyond. 📞 Let’s talk about your next paver project—so you can enjoy it, not sweat over it.