If you want to enhance your outdoor living space, installing the right kind of pavers can be an excellent choice. Given how linear the whole hardscape industry has become, though, some questions may arise when homeowners are faced with atypical home designs. Some of them wonder, for instance, whether they can install pavers against the house foundation without causing damage – a practice not much discussed among professionals, who usually suggest a more standard approach.
Therefore, in this article, we’ll give you a brief overview of pavers against the house foundation and how the whole installation process might work out. If you’re looking for a complete guide on DIY paver installation, click here instead.
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Can You Install Pavers Against the House Foundation?
Well, the answer is yes – you can indeed install pavers against the house foundation. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure the installation process is done correctly and does not cause any permanent damage to your home, including its surroundings and underground structure.
Check out our list below:
Tips for Installing Pavers Against the House Foundation
Check for Drainage: Before installing pavers against your house foundation, it is crucial to check for proper drainage. A poor drainage system can cause water to accumulate near the foundation or vents, which leads to rotting issues, moisture, weed growth, and blocked airflow problems. As such, it’s best to ensure the soil is graded away from the foundation to allow water and unwanted residue to flow away.
Leave a Gap: Similarly, it is essential to leave a gap between the pavers and the house foundation. A 1/2-inch gap between the pavers and the foundation is recommended – once it allows for proper water drainage and prevents water from seeping into your home.
Use Permeable Base: Use permeable base materials – such as crushed stone or polymeric sand – to prevent water from accumulating under the pavers, leading to a potential sinking of your home’s foundation. On top of that, you may purchase a pallet of permeable pavers, a Belgard product, to further protect your investment.
Install Edging: Install edging materials, such as plastic or metal, to help keep the pavers in place and prevent them from shifting towards the house foundation in the long run.
You may also like: Paver Patio Installation Cost – Brief Guide
How to Install Pavers Against the House Foundation: Step by Step
If you’re willing to install your pavers by yourself – without professional help, that is – we’ve listed a few steps you can take.
- Prepare the Area: Start by cleaning the area and removing any debris or vegetation. Ensure the area is level and graded away from the foundation for proper water drainage.
- Lay the Permeable Base: Lay the chosen permeable base and level it with a compactor.
- Add Sand Layer: Add a layer of sand on top of the permeable base and level it.
- Place Pavers: Start placing the pavers against the house foundation, leaving a 1/2-inch gap between the pavers and the foundation. Use spacers to ensure the gap is consistent.
- Cut Pavers: Cut the pavers as needed to fit them into the space near the house foundation.
- Install Edging: Install edging materials, such as plastic or metal, to help keep the pavers in place and prevent them from shifting towards the house foundation.
- Fill Joints: Fill the joints between the pavers with sand, and compact it with a plate compactor.
As you can see, installing pavers against the house foundation is possible, but it must be done correctly to avoid damage to your home. Ensuring a proper drainage system, leaving a gap between the pavers and the foundation, using permeable base materials, as well as installing the right edging to keep everything in place are all a must for this delicate task.
By using our tips as your guide, you can achieve this with more care and attention, but most cases will still require calculations and prep work that might be too much for beginners. As always, we recommend you find contractors near you that offer the kind of service your house deserves.
And if you need assistance from hardscape experts…
JS Brick is here to help!
If you need help with paver supply, installation, and maintenance, meet JS Brick – a trusted hardscape company in Sarasota, FL. Our team of professionals can provide you with expert advice and quality workmanship that is sure to amaze you. Get a free estimate by contacting us today!
We’ll be waiting for you.
