Are you installing a new deck? How about a walkway? Brick pavers are certainly not new but have recently come into fashion again. With the many different patterns available it takes the common look you get from a wood deck and can turn it into a unique pattern and colors you can call your own. Even if you have an old sidewalk or concrete porch, you can still use brick pavers to cover up your old cracked slab.
If you plan on starting from scratch, then you will need to do some digging. Use stakes and twine to layout the walk or patio. You also can use paint or a hose to outline the ground around curves. As you layout, consider the pavers dimension and leave an extra ¼ inch in your overall layout. Once the patio or walk is laid out, dig out at least 8 inches of soil. This will leave enough room for a gravel bed, sand and the pavers which should sit ¼ to ½ inch above the natural soil. Once you have excavated the patio or walkway add the gravel about 4 inches thick along the excavated ground and compact with a ground pounder or hand tamp for smaller areas. Pitch the level of the gravel to the nearest water shed sand away from your home. It should pitch roughly ¼ inch per foot.
Install the edging or border you plan on using. This can be any material really, but they do sell paver borders that are flexible and made from vinyl. These edgings also come in matching colors of your pavers. Install the edging level with the top of your pavers. Position the edging so that it pitches towards the water shed. Once the edging is in place its time for sand.
Add sand in a two inch layer along the gravel bed. Tamp with a hand tamper or ground pounder for large areas. Use a 2×4 notched at the bricks width and length of the walk or patio to screed the sand level. Now, add the soldier bricks along the edge if you are adding a border. If any bricks or pavers are defective on one side, turn the bad side down. There still usable.
Work one section at a time. Lay the bricks or pavers in the desired pattern. Drop the bricks or pavers into place rather than slide them into place. If you slide them then you will cause the sand to become unleveled and you’ll have an uneven walkway. Space the paver about 1/8 inches apart to allow sand to get packed in between the bricks or pavers. Save all the cuts for last, this way you can lay all the bricks and pavers adjusting as necessary. Cut the bricks with a rented wet tile saw. Tap bricks in place with a rubber mallet hammer to avoid damaging the bricks or pavers.
Once the pavers or bricks are laid and all the cuts have been made its time to sand the joints. Spread course white sand over the pavers in a roughly 1 inch thickness. Brush into the cracks with a stiff bristled broom or brush. Brush in at a 45 degree angle to push the sand into the cracks. Spray a garden hose along the walkway or patio. Don’t over water. Add sand again and spread evenly into the cracks. Do this until no more sand can fit into the spaces.
Water your pavers and bricks occasionally and add sand as necessary. Pull op sinking bricks as needed and add sand to bring up the paver or brick level with the rest. With a little care and maintenance you can have a beautiful patio or walk that will last a lifetime.
