Compaction Lifts and Plate-Compactor Passes Under Pinellas Paver Bases

A plate compactor densifies the top of a lift. It does not magically compact twelve inches of loose limestone in one pass. Crews that dump the whole base, walk the plate around once, and set bedding sand are building a driveway that looks finished on Friday and dishes by the next rainy season. That is the most common failure we cut out in Pinellas.

How we compact a base

After excavation and geotextile where the subgrade is sugar sand, we place crushed aggregate in lifts the plate can reach. Each lift gets overlapping passes. Soft spots get cut out and replaced, not covered. We proof-roll before bedding sand. If a tire prints, the base is not ready for pavers.

• Lift thickness matched to the plate and the aggregate, not to the remaining daylight.

• Moisture in the stone — bone-dry rock does not lock.

• No bedding sand used as a substitute for a thin base.

• Edge restraint set on the compacted base, not perched on leftover spoil.

Why this shows up in the quote

Compaction time is why two quotes for the same square footage are not the same job. The cheaper number is often one lift and a prayer. PaverForge Hardscapes will write the lift plan into the work so you can see what you are paying for.

Call 727-490-9798 or book a visit at https://www.paverforge.com/book-online. Bring a photo of any existing dip and we will tell you whether the base was never compacted.