Install brick patio foundation

Use stakes and mason's line to create layout lines for the patio. Base the dimensions on the brick paver size; the lines should represent the outer edges of the brick, not the edging. You can create a layout with just four stakes, but a better method is to drive two stakes at each corner, placed about 2 feet beyond the sides of the patio.

When you tie lines to the stakes, the points where the lines cross mark the actual corners of the patio. This setup allows you to excavate and prepare the entire patio area without having the stakes get in the way. Make sure the string layout is square by measuring diagonally between opposing corners where the strings meet ; the layout is square when the diagonal measurements are equal.

Place a line level on each layout string and adjust one end of the string up or down, as needed, so the line is perfectly level. The downhill end is where you want water to run off of the patio; typically, this should be the end farthest from the house so surface water sheds away from the house foundation.

Excavate the patio area to a depth of 8 inches, extending the excavation about 6 inches beyond the brick layout on all sides. Slope the soil to follow the layout lines, measuring down from the lines as you go to maintain an 8-inch depth. Excavate to full depth along the two sides, then dig out the center, checking with a long, straight 2x4 board and a level to ensure the entire area is flat and level from side to side; the soil base will slope toward the downhill end but will be level from side to side.

Tamp the soil thoroughly with a hand tamp or a rented plate compactor. Pour compactible gravel inside the excavated area to a depth of 4 inches. Rake the gravel smooth and level, slope it to follow the string layout, and tamp it so it is thoroughly compacted. Install paver edging along the perimeter of the patio, following the manufacturer's directions.

Standard plastic edging is designed for brick patios and is largely concealed when the bricks are in place. It is installed with metal spikes. The edging should fit snugly against the test-fit bricks. Remove the test-fit bricks, keeping the edging in place. Lay landscape fabric over the gravel; this suppresses weeds and separates the gravel from the sand layer. Pour 2 inches of sand over the landscape fabric. Use the 2x4 as a screed to smooth and level the sand. There should be 2 inches between the top of the sand and the top of the patio edging.

Remove the layout strings and stakes. Spray the sand with a gentle mist of water until it is thoroughly soaked. This helps to concentrate and compact the sand. Lay the first bricks, starting in one corner and running along the edging to complete a row. Alternate each pair of bricks so that two are perpendicular to the edge, then two are parallel, and so on. Press the bricks gently into the sand, and put them together as closely as possible. Tap the bricks with a rubber mallet to settle them into the sand, if necessary.

Use a push broom to work the sand into the crevices between pavers. Hose down the area to further settle the sand, filling any gaps that arise, then hose down the area a second time to finish your paver patio.

By Jessica Bennett Updated April 20, Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. Save Pin FB More. With the right materials and proper foundation, you can build a paver patio in a day.

These easy-to-follow instructions include expert tips to help you achieve the perfect finish for your new DIY paver patio. Start Slideshow. Tweet Email Send Text Message. Credit: Ed Gohlich. Marty Baldwin.

Credit: Marty Baldwin. Replay gallery. Pinterest Facebook. Up Next Cancel. 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. Use a small level to check the bricks in 2 directions, and use at least a 6-foot level for a drainage slope. Spread a layer of sand over the bricks. Carefully sweep the sand to fill in the cracks between the bricks and along the edge.

Only do this after all the bricks are in place. If some of the bricks aren't in yet, sweeping the sand into unstable joints will cause the bricks to move around. Gently spray the pavers with water. Use only a small amount of water, as using too much will wash the sand away and loosen the joints. This will allow the material to settle between the bricks. Your project is now complete. You can also sweep the sand away rather than spraying water.

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Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0. I'm using surplus bricks with scalloped edge. Are there any concerns I should watch out for?

Anthony "TC" Williams. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1. Not Helpful 4 Helpful 9. Do I need a certain type of sand for the base, and can I use the same sand for between the bricks? What sand to use for bricklaying? Sharp sand is a course and gritty material, normally used with other aggregates for making concrete and floor.

Bricklayers always use soft sand known as builders sand, it has a finer grade than sharp sand and is mixed with cement to produce mortar. Not Helpful 7 Helpful 7. We have a concrete patio already but are considering laying brick pavers on top for aesthetic reasons.

Should there be any concerns, like drainage, that we need to worry about? As long as you do it correctly, there shouldn't be any issues. You can fill any gaps with silicone. Not Helpful 5 Helpful 2. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. You are going to want to get SW rated pavers if you live in an area where snow and ice is common in winter.

These are bricks that are designed to withstand severe changes in temperature and resist cracking. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0.

Kneel either on the sand or on a piece of plywood as you lay the bricks. Kneeling directly on the bricks may dislodge or shift them. If you choose a rectangular pattern for your brick patio, an easy way to ensure a perfect rectangle would be to measure the two diagonals.

The measurements should be of equal length. You Might Also Like How to. How to. Expert Interview. More References 2. About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: Updated: September 4, Categories: Brickwork and Stone Masonry Patios. Article Summary X To lay a brick patio, start by excavating the site with a shovel and packing it with soil to support the weight of the patio. Italiano: Realizzare un Cortile di Mattoni. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read , times.

Not only did it give me the confidence to start my project, but it helped me flesh out a part of it that I hadn't been able to figure out. More reader stories Hide reader stories. Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better.