• If conduit or wires are located in the area to be excavated, contact the representatives of the companyconcerned before the work is started.
• To ensure sufficient drainage, excavate the soil to obtain a minimum incline of 2% (20 mm/m or 1/4 inch per foot).
• The excavation contour should extend beyond the surface to be paved by at least 300 mm (12”). Ideally, this distance should be 1 to 1 1/2 times the thickness of the foundation. The stability of the project depends on this measurement, which ensures that the slabs at the edge will be as well supported as those in the centre.
• Level the bottom of the excavation with a rake and, if the soil is sandy, compact it with a vibrating plate or roller. It is preferable not to pack clay soil at this stage. In this case, the use of a geotextile membrane placed between the natural soil and the foundation is recommended to prevent foundation contamination by clay and ensure greater.

• Spread and compact the 20-0 mm (0-3/4”) stone in 100 mm (4”) layers. Lightly water the 20-0 mm (0-3/4”) stone to make tamping easier. To ensure an adequate foundation, compact the stone several times with a vibrating plate, or a jumping jack. Once this stage is completed, you will be able to see what the final result will look like. You can verify the final level of the slabs by placing a slab on a guide.

• If you are installing Universal® curb or Universal® Mini-curb: Before you finish the foundation, proceed immediately with installation of the Universal curb or Universal Mini-curb. Begin by installing the curb on one side. Before installing the curb on the other side, place temporarily a row of slabs in order to determine the ideal distance and thus to determine the position of the other curbs and avoid having to cut slabs later. If you are installing Celtik curb or Old Forge curb: To install these types of curbs, see the Laying the slabs section.

• Spread between 15 mm (5/8”) and 25 mm (1”) of concrete sand or screening.
• Level the concrete sand using two (2) 25 mm (1”) diameter pipes and a straight plank.

Any significant variation in bed thickness may cause irregularities in the paved surface.

• Take care not to compact the screenings or the sand before laying the slabs on the installation bed.

• Arrange the slabs according to the pattern chosen with a 90° angle if possible. Proceed by walking on the slabs. Fill the holes left by the pipes.
• Slabs are manufactured with side spacers that will set a space of 3 mm (1/8”) between each slab. A space of 2 mm must be allowed for slabs without spacers.
• To obtain an even distribution of colour and texture, it is recommended that you choose slabs from more than one cube at a time. Moreover, working across each cube always gives the best results.
• Check the alignment of the slabs after every five rows installed and adjust them, if necessary, using a screwdriver.
• Install slabs up to the last row. To avoid having to cut slabs later, determine the position of the curbs to finish with a complete slab.
• If necessary, you can cut the slabs using specialized tools such as guillotine or a concrete saw. It is recommended that you use a chalk line to mark the slabs to be cut. If you have to use a guillotine to cut the slabs, be sure that the cut is at a slight angle as slabs cut this way are much easier to install. If you use a concrete saw, keep away from the slabs already installed, since the dust and dirt from sawing will permanently stain them.Wear safety glasses when cutting concrete products.
• On both sides of the paving surface, proceed with installing the Celtik curb or Old Forge curb.

• Spread concrete sand over the slab, let dry, if necessary, then work it into the joints by brushing in all directions.
• Remove the excess sand. Repeat steps the two previous steps if necessary.
• If, after a few days, some joints are not properly filled, repeat the procedure.
• We suggest setting aside a number of slabs for replacement.