Install

Our products can be installed by the do-it-yourselfer, however a certain degree of landscaping skill is required. Here are examples of a basic paver and retaining wall installation to provide you with an idea of the process involved. For more in depth installation, be sure to check out the installation manuals above.

Pavers

---

Equipment Needed

• broom
• concrete saw
• guide string
• gloves
• hammer (2-3 lb.)
• knee pads
• pencil
• plate compactor
• rake
• wheelbarrow

• level
• leveling board (wood 2" x 4", 8'-10' long)
• leveling guides (two, 1" diameter pipes or wood, 10' long)
• shovel
• spray paint
• stakes
• tape measure
• safety glasses
• trowel

Getting Started

• Layout design on paper
• Estimate required amount of barkman product, edge restraint (barkman Snap Edge recommended), coarse granular base and concrete bedding sand needed (see product estimator)

Ground Preparation

• Transfer design onto the ground at the site using spray paint
• Mark the top of the desired finished surface, using stakes and guide string (A) (for minimal slope drainage, 1" of vertical elevation for every 8' of horizontal surface is recommended)
• Excavate ground below the surface guide string line (B) to desired depth see the install guides to the right
• Spread granular base (C), dampen and compact with a plate compactor, 3" below surface guide string (do not walk on screed sand base)

Installing Pavers

• Install edge restraint (D) on starting edge
• Spread 1" layer of bedding sand (E), using the leveling boards and leveling guides
• Lay pavers (F), keep level to surface guide string and use additional guide string to keep pavers square
• Use concrete saw to cut pavers as needed to fit your design

Finishing

• Install edge restraint on remaining edges
• Use plate compactor over entire surface
• Sweep concrete sand or polymeric sand into all spaces between pavers, repeat step after 2 days

Retaining Walls

---

Equipment Needed

• broom
• chisel
• concrete saw
• guide string
• gloves
• rubber mallet
• knee pads
• pencil

• rake
• level
• shovel
• stakes
• tape measure
• safety glasses
• trowel
• wheelbarrow

Getting Started

• Layout design on paper
• Estimate required amount of barkman product, well-graded granular base, top soil, filter cloth and masonry adhesive needed (see product estimator)

Ground Preparation

• Excavate a trench (A) 8" to 12" deep and 16" to 24" wide along the entire length of the wall
• Compact base soil to ensure stability (B)
• Lay filter cloth (C) under granular base and against the exposed face of the excavation
• Spread 4" to 6" layer of granular base (D), compact
• Position leveling string to mark location of the first course

Installing Units

• Lay first course (E) on prepared base (at least 2" below grade), keep each unit level front to back and side to side
• Place drain tile (F) on prepared base, behind the first course
• Sweep top of first course, place next offsetting course (G), back fill with granular rock on top of filter cloth
• Repeat offsetting courses (H) and back fill until desired height is reached
• Secure last course (I) with adhesive and apply pressure to secure

Finishing

• 6" from top of wall, pull filter cloth back towards the wall, on top of back fill (J)
• Fill remaining space with top soil (K) (cover the pulled back filter cloth) to make ground level with wall
• Fill remaining trench space in front of the wall with top soil (L) sloping away from the wall