Paver Patios, Walkways, and Driveways in Sacramento, CA

Paver work depends almost entirely on what goes in before the pavers do. The area is excavated and graded, then a compacted base layer, usually road base, goes down to a depth that matches how much weight the surface needs to carry. A sand setting bed goes on top of that, then pavers get laid to the chosen pattern, cut to fit the edges, compacted into place, and finished with jointing sand swept into the gaps.

A driveway needs a deeper, more heavily compacted base than a walkway, since it has to handle vehicle weight without shifting. Skimping on base depth is the most common reason pavers start sinking or rocking underfoot within a year or two. Edge restraint matters just as much, since without a solid edge holding the outer pavers in place, the whole field can slowly spread apart over time. Sacramento's clay soil adds another factor, since a shallow or poorly compacted base is more likely to move as the ground underneath swells and shrinks with the seasons.

Ask about base depth, especially if it's a driveway rather than a walkway or patio. Ask what kind of edge restraint is used, and whether the joint sand is a standard sand or a polymeric sand that hardens in place and resists washing out.