How and with what to compact the soil for paving stones?

The durability and stability of a sidewalk, driveway or parking lot depends on the proper preparation of the ground for paving stones, so one of the extremely important elements is the compaction of the ground. How and with what to perform this process? We answer these questions in today's article!

Paving blocks - why are we so eager to use them?

Paving blocks are one of the most popular solutions that make the surface look aesthetically pleasing, and are also resistant to abrasion. Investing in a driveway or sidewalk made just from paving blocks, we are assured of a nice and stable surface. An additional advantage is that paving blocks are a product readily available in different sizes, colors and with different properties, so the investor can choose the most optimal solution for himself. Depending on the place where the paving is to be laid will depend on the choice of the appropriate material, for example, due to a given volume of traffic. Another argument in favor can be the fact that paving blocks do not tend to absorb moisture, which guarantees their durability and resistance to erosion. Before laying pavers, it is, of course, important to properly prepare the ground. And how does it proceed?

Compacting the ground for paving stones - how is it done?

In order to make a paving stone surface durable and stable, it is necessary to make a proper substructure. Preparing the soil usually involves laying down several layers of selected materials and compacting it. The purpose of the soil compaction process is to reduce the porosity of the substrate and increase the volumetric density, as well as to ensure that the material is laid evenly. This, in turn, ensures that our paving stones will not collapse and will be fully stable. The substructure, depending on the planned load on the pavement, can vary in thickness. It is laid evenly and in layers, and then each layer is compacted with a soil compactor. The substructure can be made, for example, from a mixture of sand and gravel, ballast, slag or grit. Choosing the right material and layer thickness will allow you to enjoy a beautiful paving surface for a long time. The compaction of the soil itself involves a process of vibration, thanks to which we obtain soil with the right cohesiveness and strength. For this purpose it may be necessary to use a professional soil compactor.

Soil compactor - how to choose the right equipment?

A good quality soil compactor is a device that can greatly facilitate paving work. How to choose the right equipment that will provide us with fruitful work? First of all, it is worth bearing in mind the scale and how often we will compact the soil. For larger projects it may be necessary to use a reversible compactor, which allows work in two directions. This allows the compaction process to proceed much faster. The second important element is the size of the working plate, as it too has a big impact on the speed of work. If you decide to purchase a soil compactor with a large weight, it will be possible to harden a thicker layer of soil in one go, which is also very important in the course of professional compaction. When reviewing the products available on the market, it is worth paying your attention to the parameter that is the depth of compaction, because this gives us knowledge of the depth at which we will see the results of work after one pass of the device. Taking into account a few of the most important parameters, we can in turn determine the compactor's efficiency, that is, how many square meters we are able to compact in an hour. There are many compactors on the market with different parameters and functions, so the choice can be difficult. If you are wondering which soil compaction device for paving stones to choose, please contact us and we will be very happy to help you choose the equipment that fits your needs!

At the end of this short guide, we will give you the characteristics of very popular soil and paving stone compactors. If any of them interest you, you can learn even more about them by typing the model name in the search engine at the top of this page.

Wacker Neuson DPU 4045 YE reversible compactor

This is an extremely popular soil and paving compactor that provides exceptional performance, durability and ease of use. The Wacker Neuson device is distinguished by several features, including the use of a center drawbar with a special design that generates low vibrations on the hands and arms of the machine operator. According to current standards, it is not required to keep permanent records of working time when compacting with equipment that provides vibrations below 2.5 m/s2. The Wacker Neuson DPU 4045 reversible vibratory compactor is just one of them and allows you to achieve sensational working results while fully maintaining the safety and comfort of the operator. Saving time and comfort are not the only advantages of this device. Choosing this class of equipment you also ensure simplicity of operation. The manufacturer has taken care of an intuitive control panel with easily visible indicators and extremely resistant to the ingress of dirt and moisture.

Want to learn even more about the advantages of a Wacker Neuson compactor?

Husqvarna LG204 reversible compactor

Another product that is very popular, the Husqvarna LG204 compactor is a very maneuverable and user-friendly device. With it you can successfully perform lighter work, such as compacting soil for driveways and sidewalks and, thanks to the elastomer plate, also compacting paving stones . You can easily use it even in narrow trenches. This is because the Husqvarna compactor is very dynamic and easy to maneuver. Operation is easy because of the convenient forward and reverse lever and the handle, which can be easily locked in position. Choosing a professional device from the Husqvarna brand, you get a product made of great quality and durable materials, for example, the working plates were made of Hardox steel. The manufacturer has also provided a folding transport hitch, which allows you to conveniently lift the soil compactor.