In the Northern Rivers, our natural beauty comes with a few challenges — heavy summer rain, rich clay soils, and uneven terrain. When it comes to paving, these factors make base preparation more important than ever. A solid foundation ensures your paths, patios, and driveways stay level and strong for years to come. Here’s how to do it right.
Understand your soil
Many areas of the Northern Rivers have reactive clay soils that expand when wet and shrink when dry. Before you begin, remove all soft topsoil and organic matter. If the ground still feels spongy after rain, consider adding extra road base to stablise it.
In sandy coastal areas like Ballina or Byron Bay, you may need geofabric underlay to prevent your base material from migrating into the softer sand below.
Excavate to the right depth
Your total excavation should allow for the road base, bedding sand, and paver thickness. Paths and patios are usually 100-100mm deep and driveways 200-250mm deep. Always work from your highest fixed point, for example the house slab or a step, to set up the correct levels and fall for drainage.
Lay and compact the road base
A good-quality crushed road base forms the backbone of your paving. Spread it in in 75mm layers and compact each layer thoroughly with a plate compactor. Lightly moisten before compacting to help bind the material. Don’t be tempted to make shortcuts as proper compaction is what prevents your pavers from sinking after heavy rain.
If your site is prone to flooding or waterlogging, consider a stabilised road base, mixed with a small amount of cement or lime, for extra strength.
Add a bedding layer
Next comes a 20-30mm layer of coarse bedding sand. Washed river sand is ideal. Level the sand evenly to create a smooth, flat surface. Don’t compact the sand layer before laying pavers. It should remain loose enough to bed them in snugly.
Plan for drainage
Our region’s rainfall can be intense, especially in summer storms so proper drainage is essential. Ensure a 1:100 fall (1cm per metre) away from buildings and structures. In wetter zones, add a gravel trench or strip drain along the lower edge of your paved area to manage runoff. Never let water pool under the pavers. It will erode the base and lead to sinking or movement.
Lay, compact, and lock it in
Once your pavers are laid and aligned, tap them in gently with a rubber mallet. Compact the finished surface with a plate compactor, using a mat to protect the pavers. Sweep fine jointing sand into the gaps to lock everything together and discourage weeds. For long-term performance, top up the jointing sand every year or so, especially after heavy rain seasons.
In the Northern Rivers, where the weather and soil can be unpredictable, your paving is only as strong as its base. Invest the time to build it properly using quality materials like road base, bedding sand, and drainage gravel. If you are going to invest in quality pavers, you want them to last. It is worth getting the foundations right.
Talk to one of our friendly team members about the best materials for your site. We can help you choose the right products for a paving job that endures.