Paving slabs on concrete may seem like a difficult job, but if you follow these steps carefully, you should be able to tick this project off your to-do list in no time. Even if you feel daunted by this DIY project, consider the benefits of paving in your garden. You can transform the appearance and practicality of your outdoor space, and paving is just the start of this! If you are interested in ideas on how to creatively use block paving in your garden, then read our blog post here for 9 of our favourite ideas. Add value to your home and get more use from your garden by learning how to lay paving slabs on concrete in 6 easy steps.

Tools & Materials Needed:

Here is a list of tools and materials that you will need for this project.

Tape Measure
Wheelbarrow or mixing board (for mortar)
Brush with solid bristles
Chalk line
Spirit level
Gloves
Rubber Mallet

You will also need…

Garden paving slabs - find Beesley and Fildes's extensive collection of top-quality slabs here.
Sharp sand
Cement
Water

1. Prepare the concrete surface

Firstly, ensure that you have all of the tools and materials that you need for the project, this will help you to stay organised whilst you are working.

Then put on protective gloves, so that you can stay relatively clean whilst you are working, as this can be a messy project.

If there are cracks or damage done to the concrete, then you should fix this before starting. However, if the concrete is badly damaged (the cracks are large) then you should avoid paving it as it can damage the paving slabs over time.

You need to prepare the concrete surface, which you do by cleaning it. Ensure this is thoroughly done. Use a brush with solid bristles and clean the concrete with water (e.g. using a garden house). The cleaner the concrete, the easier the slabs will stick to it. Wait for any wet surfaces to dry before you move on to the next step.

2. Prime paving slabs

Now you need to prime the paving slabs. Apply the primer to the back of the slabs, this ensures that the slabs can be securely stuck down.

3. Mix mortar

Assemble your sand, cement, water and wheelbarrow to mix the mortar. You must get the right consistency so that the mortar is effective and firm. Read more about mortar mixes here on our blog. A general rule of thumb is to mix four parts of sand, one part cement and one part water.

Mixing mortar can be quite dangerous, if you inhale too much of the powder it can affect your breathing. You may want to consider wearing PPE (mask, goggles and gloves) in order to keep yourself safe during this part of the process.

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4. Lay the mortar

After you have mixed the mortar, it is time to lay it down. Apply a 30 mm layer. This should be applied evenly and smoothly across. If you lay too much mortar, it can cause cracking over time, and it will take longer for the paving to set. Mortar essentially acts as the glue in construction projects.

5. Lay the paving slabs

Once the mortar has been applied, you can lay the paving slabs down. A gap of 10mm should be left between the slabs, and ensure that they are all laid evenly by using the spirit level. When you are happy with the position of the paving slabs, use a mallet to fix them into place.

Read our blog post about ‘A Guide to Block Paving Patterns’ if you want to be creative with laying the paving slabs.

6. Fill the gaps

Once all of the slabs have been placed into position, it is time to fill the gaps with the mortar. Ensure the mixture is smoothed between each slab. Try not to get the mixture on the surface of the slab, as it can be difficult to get off and can even stain in.

Usually, the paving will take 24 hours to dry. Within this time you should avoid putting anything heavy or walking on the surface. If you are working in poor weather conditions, this can take up to 72 hours to dry.

Paving can be a difficult task, but with the right tools and dedication, you can complete the job yourself. If you do not feel comfortable, experts can come and do it for you, but this can be costly.