Paver Patio - fine points

[RickG]

hi all,

I had a couple of questions regarding some final considerations for a paver patio I am building.

First, for a border on my patio i am thinking about using 6x6 instead of 6x9 in either a soldier or sailor course. Is there a functional advantage to even having a border, and beyond that, using the 6x9 rather than the 6x6. My preference for the 6x6 is purely aesthetic, and while I am not discounting it, to hear from those who have seen many more than i have, would be appreciated.
Second is waterflow. I have already buried the downspout that would directly dump water. So that is good. The patio sits at the back of a walkout, so the ground drops a story over 30 feet. My question is: Is there a water "issue " of having that water come down the hill and pass over the patio (which will be sloped to pass the water in the direction of the natureal slope). Should i put in a french drain that picks the water up at the end of the grass, and carry it around?

Thanks

Rick

[Pelican]

The border serves to hold the small cut pieces in place and provide a cosmetically finished edge. The smaller cut pieces of your pattern would be more apt to be kicked out of place by a dragging toe or other object dragged over the edge. They are also more likely to tip as well since there is less surface area for them to distribute weight loads.

Your 6 x 6 course should be sufficient to serve as the border.

If you are installing your pavers properly, you will have a 1" sand bed for them to lay in. You risk eroding this bed with any water that flows against or over your job, which will result in an uneven surface. I usually put a 1" in 10' pitch to the patio away from the building to ensure water does not flow against the foundation.

[RickG]

Pelican,

Thanks for the functional run down.

As for the pitch and direction, that is all set moving away from the house. I can't do much about the rain falling from the sky, its the rest of it I am not sure the amount of effort i need to make.

Thanks again

Rick

[Sodzilla]

Should I run a soldier course against the house foundation? I had drawn up a patio originally with soldier course on the grass side of the patio only, but got to wondering if it would look good running along the foundation wall side as well?

The problem I see is staightness and square, any advice or experience?

[Pelican]

That would be personal preference for appearance. I don't normally have a soldier course against a foundation, I feel it separates the patio visually from the house. I prefer it to be viewed as an accessory to the house rather than stand alone.

[AZTLANLC]

Originally posted by Pelican
That would be personal preference for appearance. I don't normally have a soldier course against a foundation, I feel it separates the patio visually from the house. I prefer it to be viewed as an accessory to the house rather than stand alone.
That's an interesting suggestion I always use soldier course all around but I will try this for my next project.

[PSUscaper]

I always use a soldier course against the house. Reason being is you can use the cut-off saw to cut the edge, then install the soldier. Unless the pattern can be ran square with house, it works out well and saves you a lot of free hand cutting. The only problem is you have to more or less lay a soldier course, not a sailor as you need the room for the saw to fit.

[Sodzilla]

Thanks, I think I'll go without especially since we're trying to tie-in the house brick colours on our patio pavers.