How To (Properly) Prepare the Base for Concrete Pavers | "Open Grade Base"

(Open Grade Base) is the BEST backfill method for any concrete paver install. I will explain how we do it in this video, enjoy!
#hardscaping #pavers #patio #landscaping #construction
00:00 Introduction
00:55 Setting up the job site
04:45 Removing the turf layer
16:02 Excavating the soil
26:14 Why Open Grade Base is the best
31:57 Day #2
33:32 Continuing to backfill
39:09 Checking grades / more backfilling

[@lorieoswald]

Love the walkway, I will try your method step by step...wish me luck...❤

[@LakeLife39]

❤ quite the excitement in our house this evening! Thank you for your hard work and dedication to your work and customers ❤ we LOVE our patio!

[@RMMomma4Eva]

Congratulations, what a blessing, this crew does such a good job! 😍

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Sweet! Glad you love the patio, it was such a fun install and what a pleasure it was to be at your beautiful property for a week!

[@fabricioalmeida348]

@@TheChristianHardscaperhey buddy how are you?? I just see one of your videos in other channel,block pavers 123!!just letting you know! Take care.

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

@@fabricioalmeida348 Yea, I have seen that video he took from me. You know you are doing well on KZbin when people steal your videos...LOL KZbin is pretty good about taking car of thing like that though. Thanks for the heads up✌

[@fabricioalmeida348]

@@TheChristianHardscaper I didn’t know you are allowed to use someone else videos in your channel, I think I will start doing the same with your videos they looks so good 😊,looks like you are increasing your crews,that’s awesome congratulations 🎉

[@hpain6261]

I will continue to say thanks for your detailed directions and instructions. I finally finish my 1500 sq feet patio. First time touching pavers and the guy who gave me an estimate of $50k came back to see (my son best friend dad) told me I did it better than he would have. Great job guys.

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

You are more than welcome and that is such a cool story! Thank you for that feedback and that is one heck of a job... 1500 sq ft of pavers is no joke. Congratulations and thanks again because it is very motivating for me to hear things like this. God bless and enjoy the fruits of your labor now! ✌

[@delt19]

1500 sq ft?? Wow. That's like 12+ pallets worth of pavers. That's a lot of work!

[@hpain6261]

18 pallets including a double edging. At first it seemed overwhelming but every evening I came back here to watch Kyle do his magic and It just motivated me more and more. Today I finally installed 65 feet of cobblestone on one side of patio.

[@user-tc6ps3yi4n]

Hi I am very impressed with your work I am a former mason I just did a patio in my yard . I saw your channel back in june 2023. I used open grade Im very glad found your channel Love to show you my work and my friends who helped me

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

That's awesome, thanks for the feedback! I love hearing from people who used the method, especially others who know the trade. I would love to see the project, you could email me at [e-mail] if you would like.

[@user-tc6ps3yi4n]

@@TheChristianHardscaper HI I will email some pics my name is Kurt

[@Bman-1970]

Just as I thought about cushions for the recliner on wheels. Travis said it. Lol Give that young man a raise! 💰

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

🤣 He is always quick funny comments, Love it!

[@Bman-1970]

@@TheChristianHardscaper I like Trav. He's an honest hard working young man. Looking forward to seeing him in heavy equipment. I'm sure there's probably age restrictions and being a licensed operata challenges.🤔

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

@@Bman-1970 He really is man, hes got a lot of interests and is looking forward to life. I think he will be successful in whatever he decides to do. He can't wait to operate equipment either, but he needs to be at least 18.....

[@gs300rich4]

Not surprised you have gotten work off KZbin. Your work and quality is top notch

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Thank you very much, I appreciate that! ✌

[@josheberth2541]

You’ve been a huge help for me and my company. You’re a great teacher man!

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Glad to hear it! Helping others in the trade and DIY homeowners has been my biggest goal with this channel from the beginning. So comments like this are very motivating, Thank you! ✌

[@KGSHEAMASONRY]

The wheelbarrow! ……becoming the BEST PURCHASE EVER 👍👍great video 🙏

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

🤣 Yea buddy! Got to justify it somehow, job site furniture is a great way to do it.... LOL ✌

[@eladvanallen8282]

Hey Kyle, I dont know if this could ne considered advice as much as it is just something I noticed, but anyway.... when my wife and I cut about 1000sqft of sod from our field to use in our back yard we found that the best way to get a perfectly straight line separation is a dull wood blade in a reciprocating saw (sawzall where I come from) I noticed that would have been a decent trick for you on this job for when you removed the grass for the patio. The sawzall cuts right thru the grass and roots and leaves a really nice straight line when you pull up the grass. Love your videos man. The wife and I are going to do a sitting wall and a few steps soon and I feel confident to give it a go ourselves bc of your videos, so thanks man.

[@nelsonchavez2211]

Love the the work and quality my friend

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Thanks brother! ✌

[@armandocortes8719]

good project. my friend. apparently. you do. pure pavers work. nice jobs. .many blessings.

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Thank you very much, God bless you too! ✌

[@josephrottina1901]

Starting off good brother.👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@KevsChronicles]

Just commented on a video from a year ago where you talk about the open grade base. Thanks for keeping things updated with your most recent vids- I am officially using you to teach myself how to do my own paver walkway in my 82X6 foot side yard. I'm in Oregon- if I was in Mass. I would definitely look you up!

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Just read that one, thanks for the comments. That sounds like a fun project, you will be really happy after it is done. There is something extremely rewarding about laying a paver walkway or patio. Just so nice looking back at what you built. Good luck with your project!

[@raulmedina6960]

Love your content bro, keep it going. God bless you.

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Thank you, Will do! ✌

[@paulbodder3354]

Nice job site.... I would have a fishing pole in my hand all day long there... looking forward to seeing this one completed... Great job thus far!!!

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

It was the best job site I have been on in a long time.... The boys brought their poles one of the days and I gave them a long lunch break to fish. They caught a few and had a good time! Always good to hear from you man ✌

[@user-ky2fd9hg1f]

Gracias por tus con sejos me alludan de mucho

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Your welcome, glad it was helpful! ✌

[@antoniobaldiviezo8140]

I never do this base prep . After you well explanation you change mi mind

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Glad to hear it, you will not be disappointed. I switched to this method about 5 years ago and have not regretted it at all.

[@Untam3d28]

Would of loved to see the whole process including laying pavers. Thanks for this episode

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Laying the pavers will be the next upload on my channel, glad you enjoyed it ! ✌

[@msjessicatrudel6236]

I would love to get your opinion on how you would go about this DYI granite step project gone wrong that came to a hault 2 years ago. Could really use your expertise. Located in central NH.

[@betterstill100]

I love learning how to do things right. Imma gonna do a front walk, don’t know if concrete is cheaper then pavers, I can lay smaller pavers myself so there’s that.

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

I agree, it is always good to learn something new. Pavers are typically more expensive than concrete but when done right, looks way better in my opinion. ✌

[@jeremeyn.5752]

Love your channel. What or where is a good way to learn how to measure awkward angles for cuts. For example around posts, weird angled corners etc. Standard cuts I'm ok with but I want to make clean cuts around objects so the paver pattern looks clean and flows around objects.

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Thank you, glad you like it! I'm not too sure of a great video or place to learn that.. I have videos on cutting curves and stuff like that but nothing specific on weird cuts.

[@travisking6224]

First Comment!!! Love the vids

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

😂 love it!!

[@santainestierradegentehumi4467]

Como esta muchacho? Im really enjoy and learn more for open base bicause many work we do las year we do on traditional base...

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Hey man! Glad you are enjoying it. I stopped using traditional bas about 5 years ago now. This open grade base is excellent ✌

[@alexandrenijberg6906]

Great content. I have a question about paving the driveway, would you recommend the same materials to prep the base? I am in the same climate zone. Many thanks!

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Thank you, and yes. This prep method is great for driveways, however you need to do a few extra things. Like compact more (in more lifts). Also, you should add 1-2 layers of geo grid in the base stone as you backfill. Lastly, you want to buy thicker pavers. I talk about that in the video we lay the pavers. But the pavers we use all the time are 2-3/8" thick. You want pavers closer to 3" thick. If you do all those things, your driveway will come out mint 👌

[@alexandrenijberg6906]

Follow up question: considering the use of the 3" stone, please give me a breakdown of how deep you would excavate, number of layers and the compacted thickness of each layer? Many thanks!

[@ThatPainterGuyKy]

Got that 8th of a pitch down lol…still waiting on the shirt haha.

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Yes sir! LOL I can't wait until I get some shirts together for the channel

[@pmandrews711]

Love your work. I am currently looking to have a patio and seat wall installed and live in the Worcester area. What is the best way to contact your company?

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Glad to hear it, you can email me at ([e-mail]) I'll be happy to see what we can do for you ✌

[@mannysmith1962]

I like this method, I am getting quotes for a walkway next to my patio and getting different information. How will this method work if I have a sunken area that collects water next to the patio from the rain and run off from a hill? I was thinking of having the walkway built higher than my patio, giving it a sunken feel. Also, what do you think about CR6 as a base since it also has stone dust.

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

This method is excellent for drainage. So does the water in the area you are talking about stay there or does it slowly drain into the soil? If it is always a puddle, you may need to incorporate some kind of drainage solution with your build. Lifting the walkway higher and sloping the grade away from it is definitely one option for that. Another would be to install drainage pipe under the walkway in the trouble area and divert the water to a lower grade somewhere else on the property. I don't like using any base with fines particles in it, it has just proven to cause issues, especially in a freeze/thaw climate.

[@mannysmith1962]

@@TheChristianHardscaper thank you very much for the info. It drains slowly, but ai think raising the area will work. I worry about potential mud coming down the hill causing drainage pipe issues in due time. I don’t want to have to redo the area over later in. I hear they have the potential to do so.

[@livinlarge1247]

Alot like working with my dad & the different characters. Doing some terraces with natural stone bedded into a ratio mix of concrete/type S mortar. (big steps of a walkway) Yeah: I feel like the washing out & rodents can dig the ca6 easier than washed 3/4-1 white gravel. That said getting the washed rock here has been more of a challenge from the other supplier. I think I like the wahed rock.

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

That’s cool to hear man, I love having all those guys around. Makes the day go by nicely 👌🏻

[@Gnarkilldeuce]

No leveling sand needed for setting the pavers?

[@jdoran04]

Awesome video and great detail in your craftsmanship. Have you ever looked at alliance Gatorbase to reduce the amount of excavation? It is truly a game changer. Thanks for putting good information out there for your industry!

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Thank you, I love the work that I do and sharing it on KZbin has been a blast! I have used Gator base a couple times and there are a few things I don't like about it... But it does have some advantages on certain projects. ✌

[@stevekissel3822]

Did you have a back up plan for the pavers at the lake wall if the footing was higher than 3 3/8 inch below the wall cap? ( guessing 2 3/8 paver + 1 inch chip stone)...Best, Steve

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

I actually did not... It was not something in my mind really. But if I did run into that, I might of had to leave a strip of decorative stone along the wall. 🤷‍♂️

[@gibsonbuilds4841]

Laying 1000 square feet of rustic clay bricks this spring. This past fall i got all the base 3/4" clean. Debating on now lay a 6 oz nonwoven geotextile then 1.5" of Sharp concrete sand, or no fabric and what you like the 1/2" clean stone or 1B. Will a 4x8 brick lay nice on 1B? I feel like I won't have the good firm bed. Also does the the joint sand fall into the 1B? Thanks in advance!

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

That's awesome man, I love rustic brick patios. Really nice look. I assume 1B would be similar to the (chip stone) I use in my videos which is a 1/4" - 3/8" clean, crushed stone. I definitely recommend that over fabric and concrete sand. Chip stone is far more stable and allows much more water drainage. And the joint sand does not fall into it. I have done this method for close to 200 installs now and have used polymeric sand successfully on each one. Good luck with your project! ✌

[@yamahondazuki95]

Do you have a link or a name for the fabric that you use after your initial compaction of the 3/4 and sub soil?

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Here is a link to their website but you will have to find where you can buy it online or at a dealer near you 👉srwproducts.com/product/ss5-woven-fabric/

[@yamahondazuki95]

@@TheChristianHardscaper Awesome thanks brotha 🤟I got a small walkway and landing that I'm going to be doing and I'm gonna use your open base method. One more question. What are your favorite 3 piece pavers to work with? I have watched every one of your videos and I've seen you use a few different brands. Is there one in particular that you find yourself steadily going back to?

[@matthewrozumialski8196]

Would 3/8 buckshot work for the top layer? Trying to find what you use at our local gravel pits is tough lll

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

From what I know, Buckshot is clean, round stone 3/8" or less correct? if so, yes, that will work. As long as there is a ton of fine/sand particles.

[@matthewrozumialski8196]

@@TheChristianHardscaper so you want clean stone with small fine sand?

[@matthewrozumialski8196]

@@TheChristianHardscaper or did you mean no fines?

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

@@matthewrozumialski8196 I'm sorry, I meant to say "as long as there is NO fine sand particles." ✌

[@matthewrozumialski8196]

@@TheChristianHardscaper that’s what I thought lol

[@vibhanair6019]

What is the size of chip stone you use in your videos buddy? Is that available in home depot? I could see 3/4 which you put for base. But having difficulty in finding the chip stone

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

The chip stone I get is a mix between 1/4" - 3/8" clean crushed stone. Not sure Home Depot has anything like that. Worst case scenario, you can use 3/8" - 5/8" crushed pea stone but it is tougher to screed..

[@vibhanair6019]

@@TheChristianHardscaper we have a small patio and we are doing it ourselves any other stores where we can get the chip stone? Iam located in Philadelphia

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

@@vibhanair6019 Unfortunately I am not to sure... You should call around to landscape supply stores in your area, maybe one of them will have some

[@vibhanair6019]

@@TheChristianHardscaper thank you so much. That helps

[@matthewrozumialski8196]

How much base should I put down for my patio? 6 inches?

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

6" is correct for any paver project with good / well draining subsoil. You may need more depending on different soil conditions.

[@TonyRC7]

For the geotextile, was it woven or non woven?

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Woven

[@TonyRC7]

@@TheChristianHardscaper sorry I’m confused, even if drainage is an issue I should go with woven?

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

I have used woven geotextile on every project I did for the past 5 years. All sorts of different soil types and circumstances. In my opinion, the stabilization / separation you get from the woven is very important. Non woven just is not strong enough to stabilize the stone nor will it hold up as long as the woven. Some get worried about water not draining through the woven but in my experience, there is no problem at all (over 200 installs with it).

[@darrellhornick7764]

Where are you located? Where is your working boundaries? Love to somehow be close enough to hire you for some work.

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

South Central Massachusetts. I try not to go more than 45 minutes away. Where are you located?

[@darrellhornick7764]

@@TheChristianHardscaper long long ways from there. Southern Missouri on Table Rock Lake. Thanks though. Love your work.

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

@@darrellhornick7764 That would be one heck of a ride for sure...LOL ✌

[@jodygotyourgirlngone]

Travis is right - Lane Graves was the boy's name - he was from an area not far from me. His father actually had his hand in its mouth trying to free his son, and it wasn't very big for gator standards - about 7 feet long - which is plenty big! I'm from South Carolina originally and I've seen them much bigger. So sad - parent nightmare fuel.

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Damn... I just looked up the story. That is horrifying. I can't imagine how the parents dealt with that situation, it would kill me...

[@RuachOfElohim]

Hey what do you use for advertising?

[@RuachOfElohim]

besides youtube

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

I don't do any advertising. Once or twice a year I post pictures of work I have done to Facebook groups (like town groups that are in my service area). Other than that it is all word of mouth and KZbin ✌

[@jacobbuckley8232]

Damn that sod peeled right up. U could have reused it somewhere

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

It sure did, and you are right, that would have transplanted perfectly 🤣 ✌

[@Kingtroll38]

DirtMonkeys use granite dust I believe. ?

[@Max_Persic]

The two Main bases used are traditional and open grade. Open grade allows for more drainage. Traditional does not. Both are great options. Just depends on location

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

Yea, DirtMonkey has been using the traditional base prep method of dense grade and sand for as long as I know. What is funny actually is that he just recently uploaded a patio build where they used open grade base. I think they are catching on to all the benefits. I haven't used the traditional method is almost 5 years now and probably never will again.... ✌

[@delt19]

I was watching this video of yours: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHXIZKeDj7aMa9Esi=58r9y0TXsWmE0xZ4 And you mentioned (and it looks like from the video) that you don't compact the bedding layers on top of the geofabric. But in this riverside project you do compact the bedding layers. I'm curious what was the reason for not compacting the bedding layer previously but now you are compacting it in several lifts.

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

With Open Grade Base, using 6" of base stone or less on top of the fabric may or may not necessarily need to be compacted. It is actually something that gets debated quite often in the industry. Some say it is better for the chip stone to lock into the base stone if you do not compact it because it allows to stone to lock into the open voids better, some argue it is better to flatten and tighten the base stone before the bedding stone so it is less likely to migrate. I have done it both ways multiple times simply because it has been something I want to test on my own. What I have found is that they both work just fine. That project in the link you shared has been installed for 3 years now with no shifting or settling. So I would say the most important part is compacting the subsoil with a thin layer of stone on top of it before the fabric. If you look up compaction rates of 3/4" clean, crushed stone, it is 98% compacted with just being raked out up to 6 inches. Anything more than 6 inches should absolutely be compacted no matter what. This application, we were between 7-8inches of bas stone so I compacted twice, plus the subsoil was softer than typical situations. So determining all the circumstances on different projects is very important. There is no one size fits all in hardscaping for base prep.

[@jamescheever7982]

Yep just surprised you dont have wide hard rake !! Lol

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

LOL! I know what you mean, but those big rakes seem to get 3/4 stuck in them all the time... Maybe there is one out there with a touch wider spokes... 🤷‍♂️ ✌

[@maxwelloakland9064]

"Promo SM"

[@jacobbuckley8232]

I thought u were travs dad?

[@TheChristianHardscaper]

He is my nephew, but I get that a lot when we are together....LOL