To compact the substructure of paving stones after laying, vibrating with a suitable vibrator is the method of choice. However, there are a few important factors to keep in mind.

In a nutshell

  • before or after sludge
  • Joints between the stones must be filled with jointing material
  • Match the vibrator to the type of paving stones to avoid damage
  • The layered structure of the substructure must be correct

The right device

The best way to shake a freshly laid pavement is to borrow a suitable shaker from a hardware store or tool rental shop. This surface vibrator must absolutely match the laid paving stones. Above all, this means that the device must not be too heavy. The following approximate guidelines apply:

  • Nominal thickness of the stones 60 mm: maximum weight of the vibrator of 130 kilograms
  • 80 to 100 mm: maximum weight of the shaker 170 to 200 kg
  • over 100 mm: maximum weight of the vibrator 200 to 600 kg

Notice: The maximum weight is the operating weight of a vibrator. More information is usually available from the lender.

Paving structure has to be right

Shaking off a pavement only makes sense if its substructure is right. The substructure consists of individual layers, which all have an important function. Normally, the substructure should therefore look like this:

  • underground or soil
  • a base layer of gravel or crushed stone
  • a pavement bed of sand or gravel
  • the actual pavement made of individual paving stones

The shaking usually leads to all layers of the substructure being compacted again. This is intended to prevent individual sections from sinking later.

Fill joints in advance

Before the surface vibrator can be used, the pavement joints must already be filled with joint material. Under no circumstances should you shake off unjointed stones. It is important that so much material was introduced that the stones can no longer be moved by shaking. If the filling material is to be introduced by slurrying, it can also be done afterwards, for example if a certain amount of sand has already been swept in.

Tip: Before shaking, the paved surface must be swept clean and absolutely dry.

It also makes sense to use a plastic apron as a base for the vibrator to protect the individual stones from scratches. This is especially true with a colored patch.

Guide to pavement shaking

  1. Remove excess joint material (sweep the plaster thoroughly)
  2. Be sure to let the plaster dry
  3. Fasten the plastic apron or plate sliding device to the vibrator
  4. always start shaking in the middle
  5. work from the inside out
  6. driven paths of the vibrator must overlap
  7. Continue the process until the stones have the desired firmness

frequently asked Questions

What do you actually mean by slurping?

This is a technique for filling the gaps between the individual pavers. The joint material, i.e. usually fine sand, is mixed with water. This reduces the formation of dust when working in.

What role does the power development of the vibrator play?

A surface vibrator always develops so-called centrifugal forces, which of course also affect the stones. What force the stones can take without being damaged depends on their strength. For example, with a nominal thickness of 80 to 100 mm, the centrifugal force must not exceed 30 kN (kilo-newtons).

How do you find the right vibrator?

The best thing to do is to go to a hardware store or a tool rental shop nearby. There you should tell the responsible employee what kind of plaster you want to shake off. Above all, the nominal thickness of the individual stones and the material are important. Information about the total area and whether the stones are colored also play a role. As a rule, you will then be given the right device and the right accessories based on this information.

Category:

Garden design