Difference between revisions of "Lay a Brick Patio"
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#*You must also determine if you want a border made of pavers or of wood. Lumber can provide a nice contrast to the pavers, and it is comparatively quick and easy to install. Pavers will take quite a lot more time to install but will seamlessly match the rest of your patio. | #*You must also determine if you want a border made of pavers or of wood. Lumber can provide a nice contrast to the pavers, and it is comparatively quick and easy to install. Pavers will take quite a lot more time to install but will seamlessly match the rest of your patio. | ||
#Calculate the amount of supplies you will need. Use your estimate of the size and your thoughts regarding the design of the patio to determine the quantity of the pavers you will need. Of course, there are some additional supplies that will be necessary in order for you to finish this project. A full list of supplies will be provided at the end of this guide, but some in particular are listed here as well. | #Calculate the amount of supplies you will need. Use your estimate of the size and your thoughts regarding the design of the patio to determine the quantity of the pavers you will need. Of course, there are some additional supplies that will be necessary in order for you to finish this project. A full list of supplies will be provided at the end of this guide, but some in particular are listed here as well. | ||
| − | #*Crushed stone or gravel may be used to fill the the deepest portions of the excavation floor after you have dug out the area for the patio. It will provide stability and aid drainage, but is not considered mandatory. You can determine the quantity yourself, but some suggest that you may want as much as four inches of crushed stone as the base layer. <ref>http://landscaping.about.com/cs/hardscapefences1/ht/brick_patio.htm</ref> Calculate the necessary volume of crushed stone or gravel before you head to the home or garden shop. | + | #*Crushed stone or gravel may be used to fill the the deepest portions of the excavation floor after you have dug out the area for the patio. It will provide stability and aid drainage, but is not considered mandatory. You can determine the quantity yourself, but some suggest that you may want as much as four inches of crushed stone as the base layer. <ref name="rf1">http://landscaping.about.com/cs/hardscapefences1/ht/brick_patio.htm</ref> Calculate the necessary volume of crushed stone or gravel before you head to the home or garden shop. |
| − | #*Sand will make up the layer just below the pavers and can be used to fill the gaps between them. If you don't use crushed stone or gravel, this will also be the foundation of your patio. Some suggest that a layer just one inch deep is adequate, but other suggest at least twice that amount.<ref>http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-lay-a-brick-paver-patio/index.html</ref><ref | + | #*Sand will make up the layer just below the pavers and can be used to fill the gaps between them. If you don't use crushed stone or gravel, this will also be the foundation of your patio. Some suggest that a layer just one inch deep is adequate, but other suggest at least twice that amount.<ref name="rf2">http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-lay-a-brick-paver-patio/index.html</ref><ref name="rf1" /> You will need to know the volume of sand necessary when you make your purchase. |
| − | #*You may want to lay landscape fabric underneath to discourage the growth of weeds. It would require a lot of effort to remove weeds growing through your patio, so it is probably best to stop it before it starts.<ref>http://landscaping.about.com/od/weedsdiseases/ss/weed_fabrics.htm</ref> | + | #*You may want to lay landscape fabric underneath to discourage the growth of weeds. It would require a lot of effort to remove weeds growing through your patio, so it is probably best to stop it before it starts.<ref name="rf3">http://landscaping.about.com/od/weedsdiseases/ss/weed_fabrics.htm</ref> |
#*If you will use lumber along the edges of your patio as support, determine the quality and quantity of pressure-treated lumber you will require. There are a number of varieties available, but for a job like this you will want one rated for ground contact. | #*If you will use lumber along the edges of your patio as support, determine the quality and quantity of pressure-treated lumber you will require. There are a number of varieties available, but for a job like this you will want one rated for ground contact. | ||
#Purchase the necessary materials. You may also want to rent certain equipment, such as a gas powered tamper to compact the soil and sand (manual tampers are also available for purchase, if you prefer). | #Purchase the necessary materials. You may also want to rent certain equipment, such as a gas powered tamper to compact the soil and sand (manual tampers are also available for purchase, if you prefer). | ||
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#Measure out and mark the dimensions of the patio. It may be useful to stake out the corners and sides in order clearly identify the area as you work. | #Measure out and mark the dimensions of the patio. It may be useful to stake out the corners and sides in order clearly identify the area as you work. | ||
#*Leave an appropriate gap along the outside edge of the bricks for the border (whether of lumber or pavers). | #*Leave an appropriate gap along the outside edge of the bricks for the border (whether of lumber or pavers). | ||
| − | #Excavate the site with a shovel. The depth to which you dig will be determined in part by the number of layers you intend to lay down. If you will only be laying down sand, just four inches or less may suffice. If you are going to be depositing a layer of crushed rock or gravel first, it may be ideal to dig the area to a depth of eight inches.<ref | + | #Excavate the site with a shovel. The depth to which you dig will be determined in part by the number of layers you intend to lay down. If you will only be laying down sand, just four inches or less may suffice. If you are going to be depositing a layer of crushed rock or gravel first, it may be ideal to dig the area to a depth of eight inches.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #*If the patio is going to be right next to your house, you may want to encourage water to run away from the foundation of your home. In this case, as you dig you can slope the ground away from the direction of the house. For each foot of length, add an additional 1/4 inch of depth to the excavation.<ref | + | #*If the patio is going to be right next to your house, you may want to encourage water to run away from the foundation of your home. In this case, as you dig you can slope the ground away from the direction of the house. For each foot of length, add an additional 1/4 inch of depth to the excavation.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*Remove any large roots that may be apparent, even those just at the planned base of the dig. These can grow up through the bottom layers and undermine the stability of the patio. | #*Remove any large roots that may be apparent, even those just at the planned base of the dig. These can grow up through the bottom layers and undermine the stability of the patio. | ||
#*If you intend to use pavers for the border, dig deeper along the edge. This will allow you to stand the pavers up on end. | #*If you intend to use pavers for the border, dig deeper along the edge. This will allow you to stand the pavers up on end. | ||
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#*If pavers are being used, stand them up in the trench you dug for the edge and tap them into place. Try to fit them as snugly together as you can. | #*If pavers are being used, stand them up in the trench you dug for the edge and tap them into place. Try to fit them as snugly together as you can. | ||
#*Whether using boards or pavers, make sure that your border is installed at the desired angle (or, more likely, with no angle) by using a level. | #*Whether using boards or pavers, make sure that your border is installed at the desired angle (or, more likely, with no angle) by using a level. | ||
| − | #Partially fill in the site with sand and then screed it level. One to two inches are considered a reasonable amount, and it is no longer desirable to maintain the slope you may have created earlier. It is now necessary to level off the sand with a screed (which is a term used for any object used to scrape or level).<ref>http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screed</ref> | + | #Partially fill in the site with sand and then screed it level. One to two inches are considered a reasonable amount, and it is no longer desirable to maintain the slope you may have created earlier. It is now necessary to level off the sand with a screed (which is a term used for any object used to scrape or level).<ref name="rf4">http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screed</ref> |
#*You can make a screed out of spare lumber. | #*You can make a screed out of spare lumber. | ||
#*Tamp down the sand. Be careful not to disturb the level surface that you have created. | #*Tamp down the sand. Be careful not to disturb the level surface that you have created. | ||
#Lay the pavers into place. Press them into the sand as you lay them. Lay the pavers as closely together as you can and use a rubber mallet to seat them into the sand. | #Lay the pavers into place. Press them into the sand as you lay them. Lay the pavers as closely together as you can and use a rubber mallet to seat them into the sand. | ||
| − | #Spread a layer of sand over the bricks. Carefully sweep the sand to fill in the cracks between the bricks and along the edge.<ref | + | #Spread a layer of sand over the bricks. Carefully sweep the sand to fill in the cracks between the bricks and along the edge.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Spray the pavers with water. This will allow the material to settle between the bricks. Your project is now complete. | #Spray the pavers with water. This will allow the material to settle between the bricks. Your project is now complete. | ||
