Masonry Magazine February 1995 Page. 50
Required Excavation Tools
| Tools | Helpful Hints |
|---|---|
| a good selection of H.D. shovels | keeping the edges very sharp makes digging easier. |
| several pickaxes or mattocks | keep edges sharp and insure heads are tight on handles. |
| contractor wheelbarrows | keep bolts tight and properly inflate tires for easy rolling. |
| grade stakes & mason's twine | professional mason's twine is strong and can be reused. |
| several tape measures (25 ft., 30 ft. and 50 ft. lengths) | keep them clean and dry for long service. |
| professional quality line levels | buy colored sight glass and check for accuracy. |
| professional quality 4 ft. level | buy colored sight glass and check for accuracy. |
THE ABOVE LISTED TOOLS are some of the basic needs for excavating an area for both paving stones and retaining walls. They should also include a selection of hammers, saws, knives and other utility hand tools.
The machine which might cause increased damage to any area of operation. Try to select a skid-loader that will be appropriate for your type of work. For commercial projects and new construction many times the larger machines are not a problem, but if you concentrate on residential projects you should consider a machine that operates in tight quarters and has less weight for less landscape damage. The machines offer a variety of controls and options. These choices are a matter of personal preference, but you should consider which best fits your needs and budget. A tooth bar on the digging bucket is a helpful option when digging through hard ground and if the edge of the bucket is kept sharp at all times you will operate more efficiently.
Base Preparation-Both paver stones and retaining wall systems are installed on a compacted base of road mix. The proper preparation of this road mix is critical in the success of these products. This portion of the installation process is accomplished by both hand and power tools. Once an area has been excavated the task of preparing the base begins. The base material is spread with rakes and shovels throughout the excavated area in a 2 to 3 inch layer and then thoroughly compacted. This process continues until the desired finished grade has been created. The hand tamper is used in areas where the motorized plate compactor cannot be used. The screed boards are used in conjunction with the already established grade lines and provide a smooth distribution of base material for final grade.
The prepared and leveled base material if it was to be used for a retaining wall installation is now completely ready for the product installation, but if the prepared base is intended for a paving stone installation, it's now time to screed a layer of torpedo sand as the bedding course. This layer, according to industry standards, is to be between 1 and 1 1/2 inches thick and is put down with the use of screed poles that are laid on the base and struck with a board to insure a uniform layer of the sand.
Some contractors install an edge restraint system prior to screeding their sand, while others prefer to install the restraint system after the pavers have been laid. If you install the restraint system prior to screeding the sand, it's helpful to snap a chalk line on the base to insure the restraint system is being installed straight.
The motorized plate compactor that was listed above should have the following specifications: compactive force-3,000 to 5,000 pounds; frequency-4,800 to 5,400 VPM: rate of travel the faster units offer you more productivity. Plate compactors come in many different models and with different options. As long as the preceding industry standards are met, you can successfully prepare your base. When considering larger projects there are
Required Base Preparation Tools
| Tools | Helpful Hints |
|---|---|
| 36 in. aluminum landscape rakes | mark the edges in 1/4 in. increments to gauge base lines. |
| screed boards of varying size | cut boards to accommodate the different thickness of pavers. |
| professional quality chalk lines | buy rapid reel models which can return quickly. |
| 3-4 lb. hammers with long handles | buy fiberglass handles which are more resistant to breakage. |
| screed poles | metal conduit doesn't sag like pvc pipe and is inexpensive. |
| hand tamper | buy as heavy as possible and with fiberglass handle. |
| motorized plate compactor | must meet the minimum specifications as listed here. |
THE ABOVE LIST represents the basic tools needed to prepare base for both paving stones and retaining wall systems.
50 MASONRY JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 1995