Preparatory stage

All tiling work on the site begins with planning. It is necessary to measure all the parameters of the territory where the work will be carried out. Based on the data obtained, the amount of tiles, sand, cement, glue, and other necessary materials should be calculated.

You should also prepare tools and accessories. The backbone of the list will look something like this:

• container for mixing mortar or concrete mixer;
• grinder with a disk for cutting tiles;
• shovel and bayonet shovel;
• scrap;
• tamper;
• two buckets;
• rubber mallet;
• chisel;
• rake;
• hacksaw.

Thoughts on choosing tiles

When it comes to size, color, future pattern or composition, there are no universal recipes. Everyone chooses a tile according to their taste, according to the design concept and taking into account the peculiarities of the yard, cottage or garden.

In order to lay tiles for a private courtyard without errors, you should consider who and how will move along it. If we are talking only about people, vibrocast tiles with a thickness of 25 to 40 mm are sufficient. If you plan to keep a car there, a material created using the same technology, but of greater thickness, from 40 to 60 mm, will do.

When there is, for example, a small private production in the courtyard and from time to time the arrival of heavy equipment is necessary, part of the area must be laid out with vibropressed tiles up to 80 mm thick. It costs more than vibrocast, but is able to withstand significant loads.

Vibrocast tiles can be made independently. Vibrating table, molds, concrete mixer — this is the main set of equipment for such work. But this only makes sense when the yard is large.

Site preparation

Detailed step-by-step instructions for laying paving slabs begin with the preparation of the territory.

The first thing to do is to clear the soil of debris, turf and other extraneous things.

The second is to dig a recess half a spade bayonet or more, depending on the type of pillow chosen.

The third is to lay a layer of crushed stone or expanded clay of a large fraction on the bottom.

The fourth is to lay a layer of geotextile. This material freely passes water and air, but does not allow the grass to destroy the path.

Fifth — a layer of sand, a sand-cement screed or a solid concrete base. The more unsteady the ground and the high level of groundwater, the stronger the foundation should be. And, accordingly, if cars drive along the path, a concrete base is mandatory. With a solid ground, paving slabs on sand can be laid without hesitation.

For a concrete base, you need cement, sand, water and filler. The solution is prepared according to classical technology, in a ratio of 1:1:3. Crushed stone, broken brick or something similar is used as a filler.

On average, ten centimeters of a pillow will be more than enough. The pillow must dry completely. On hot days, concrete should be poured with water or covered with a film so that it does not crack.

Laying tiles

The technology for laying paving slabs is extremely simple, but work must be approached with a certain pedantry. This is not a process that will forgive the slightest marriage. Sooner or later, sloppy work will affect the appearance or stability of the track.

Even at the stage of site preparation, it is necessary to determine the width of the tracks very accurately in order to correctly select the size of the tile. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the presence of gaps, borders and other elements, if any.

The surface under the tiles should be as even as possible.

After everything is ready, it’s time to start laying out the tiles. To implement the selected pattern or drawing, you need to prepare its elements, cut it as necessary and put it at the place of work.

In the photo of laying paving slabs, you can find popular patterns and compositions, from geometric to voluminous and artistic. It is also easy to come up with your own version, but you must definitely take care to buy the source material in the correct proportion.

Laying process — step by step instructions

Border. To keep the curb stone more secure, they make a special concrete lock, almost a groove. This is a great solution, albeit a labor intensive one. It will definitely ensure the durability and stability of the track.

Tile. Laid out on a sandy base after watering. The surface is leveled with a rubber mallet, along a rope stretched in advance and under the building level.

The laying order is from the bottom point in the upward direction and always away from you. That is, the stacker needs to move forward along the already finished track. This approach will help to leave the already prepared base even. The starting point for mounting is some kind of border, front door, for example, or something similar.

Gap. It is important for the water to have where to go, and for the quality of the surface. The pattern must be laid out evenly. It is wise to use special plastic spacers for this, which will not allow you to make the gap between the tiles too different.

There is a tile with remote locks, these are small ribs that do not allow you to make a gap incorrectly.

Seam grouting. It is produced in two stages: with pure fine sand and with a sand-cement mixture. A broom acts as a spreading tool. In a construction supermarket, you can buy a ready-made grout mixture, but these are additional costs that are not particularly justified.

Irrigation with water. It is necessary to pour until small puddles form.

Impregnation. To protect the tile and concrete base from cracking under the influence of temperature differences, impregnation with mixtures called water repellents is used. They fill the pores without passing water, and also do not allow destruction under the influence of sunlight and mechanical stress.

When the tile is laid, it is necessary to arrange care for it. It consists in constant sweeping and snow removal in winter. It is not recommended to scrape snow with a metal shovel, especially to knock down ice with a crowbar. For such work, a plastic tool is enough.

Photo of the process of laying paving slabs