Mistake #1: An Insufficient or Poorly Compacted Base
The most common and most expensive mistake. An inadequate base guarantees your pavers will shift within one winter, sag, and become uneven within a few years.
What to do: - Excavate 12 to 18 inches below finished paver level - Install geotextile at the bottom to prevent soil migration - Lay 0-3/4 crushed stone in layers of 4 inches max - Compact each layer with a vibrating plate (3+ passes) - Finish with 1 inch of bedding sand leveled with rails
A good base is 80% of the job.
Mistake #2: Wrong Type of Sand
Polymeric sand is the standard for paver joints. Common errors: using regular sand, applying it on a wet surface, not blowing off the excess, or buying a low-quality product.
Do it right: apply on a dry day, sweep in multiple passes, blow off residue carefully, activate with a fine mist, dry 24 hours.
Mistake #3: Skipping Edge Restraints
Without edging, perimeter pavers migrate outward, joints open, water and weeds get in.
- Install edging before laying pavers
- Steel stakes every 12 inches
- Concrete edging beats plastic
- Even sides against foundations, walls or fences need edging
Mistake #4: DIY Without Experience
Pavers look easy on YouTube: reality is different. Amateur mistakes are often irreversible without redoing everything: bad drainage, wrong slope, insufficient depth (real excavation requires proper equipment), poor compaction, sloppy cuts, and underestimated time.
Mistake #5: Skipping the Sealer
Sealant isn't mandatory but is strongly recommended: UV protection, stain resistance, water repellency, weed prevention in joints. Apply 60+ days after install, in dry weather, renew every 2-3 years.