Quck answer
To install a brick paver patio, follow these steps:
1. Prepare the area: Clear the space and remove any vegetation. Level the ground and compact it to create a solid base.
2. Lay the base: Spread a layer of gravel or crushed stone as a base. Compact it and ensure it is level.
3. Add sand: Spread a layer of sand over the base. Use a level to make sure it is even.
4. Lay the bricks: Start at one corner and lay the bricks in the desired pattern. Use a rubber mallet to tap them into place.
5. Fill the joints: After laying all the bricks, sweep sand into the joints and compact it with a plate compactor.
6. Finish: Sweep away any excess sand and hose down the patio to settle the bricks.
Installing a brick paver patio can be a rewarding DIY project that adds beauty and functionality to your outdoor space.
A popular type of patio is one made of clay brick or concrete pavers that are laid loosely over a base of compactible gravel and a layer of sand. This technique, known as a “sand-set” patio, can also be used for natural stone like slate and flagstone. However, brick or concrete pavers offer the advantage of uniform size, enabling precise installation and a range of patterns.
The gaps between bricks or pavers can be filled with mortar, which was once the preferred method of laying brick paving surfaces. Nowadays, it’s more common to lay them loosely and fill the gaps with fine-textured paver sand, which fills the cracks and secures the pavers in place. When done correctly, this creates a durable and stable surface that is also easy to repair if any bricks are damaged or an area sinks.
Factors to Consider
The two key elements of successfully laying a sand-set paver patio are achieving the right layout and pattern, and creating a flat site with a slight pitch to allow water to run off. Water will seep through the sand joints of a sand-set patio, but the overall patio should slope away from the house at a pitch of approximately 1/8 inch per foot. This means that a 10-foot-wide patio should be 1 1/4 inches lower on one side. While you don’t need to be too meticulous about it, ensure that the gravel sub-base and sand bedding layer are slightly pitched away from the house.
There is some debate over whether pavers on a sand-set patio should be sealed after installation or as part of routine maintenance. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, particularly with traditional clay brick patios that may require sealers. Sealing can also help to keep sand locked into the joints, though it may hinder water from seeping through the patio joints and into the ground. A sealed sand-set patio may even be more prone to water problems.
Installing a large patio, particularly one with a unique layout, is a complex process. This article provides an overview of the process, but refer to the installation literature provided by the paver manufacturer for more information.
Tools and Materials Required
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Drawing materials and graph paper
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Tape measure
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Stakes
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Layout string
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Hammer
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Shovel
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Wheelbarrow
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Garden rake
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Long 2 x 4s for layout
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4 ft. level
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Compactable gravel (enough for 3- to 6-inch layer)
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Landscape fabric
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Paver edging material (optional)
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Coarse sand (enough for 1-inch thick layer)
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Brick or concrete pavers
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Masonry saw (if needed)
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Push broom
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Hand tamper or rented power tamper
Wear eye protection and a particle mask.
Instructions for Building a Brick Sand Set Patio
1. Make a Plan on Graph Paper
To start building your patio, measure the site and draw a scaled sketch of the patio on graph paper. Keep in mind that selecting a flat and level site will make the process easier. Choose the type of pavers you want, which come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. Paver manufacturers may provide literature with suggestions for different patterns, and your choice of layout will determine the quantity and type of materials you need. A simple square or rectangular patio is easy to lay out and install, while a patio with curves or rounded edges will require a substantial amount of paver cutting. Determine the amount of material you need and order 5 percent more to account for mistakes and breakage.
2. Use Layout Strings
Using stakes and strings, set up the patio on the building site and use the planning drawing as a guide. The easiest way to do this is by driving vertical stakes into the ground and outlining the patio boundaries with layout strings. If you are constructing a curved patio, use a garden hose or ropes to outline its shape.
3. Excavate the Site
Remove the lawn grass and level the bottom of the patio site using a shovel and rake. The excavation should be approximately 1 foot wider than the planned patio to provide working space. The depth should be 6 to 8 inches to accommodate the gravel sub-base, sand bedding layer, and paver thickness. This is a labor-intensive process, so having helpers is beneficial. Make the excavation site as level as possible, using a long, straight 2×4 to assess the flatness. While the surface should be flat, it should also slope away from the house at a rate of 1/8 inch per linear foot.
4. Install the Gravel Sub-Base
Spread a layer of compactible gravel 3 to 6 inches thick evenly over the bottom of the excavated area. Use a long 2×4 as a straightedge to assess the flatness of the sub-base and a level to ensure that you maintain a slight slope away from your house to facilitate drainage (about 1/8 inch per foot).
5. Compact the Gravel
Use a hand-tamper or a rented power tamper to compress the gravel layer firmly. This step is critical because you want the most robust foundation possible for your patio to prevent it from shifting or sinking over time.
6. Add Landscape Fabric
Lay landscape fabric over the patio site to prevent weeds from growing up through the pavers and to serve as a barrier between the sand and gravel. Overlap sheets of fabric by at least 6 inches.
7. Installing Paver Edging
While it is possible to simply place the patio next to the surrounding soil, using plastic paving edging with stakes can help contain the sand base and improve the patio’s stability in the long term. Most paver edging can be bent to fit rounded patios. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the edging, which usually involves securing it to the ground with large metal spikes.
8. Preparing the Sand Base
Spread a layer of coarse sand over the landscape fabric to create the bedding layer for the pavers. Use a long 2×4 as a “screed” to level and smooth the sand while maintaining a slight downward slope of 1/8 inch per foot. This step is crucial for achieving the desired final results. Use a 4-ft. level or long 2×4 to check the slope of the patio base.
9. Laying the Border Pavers (Optional)
If you plan to use a contrasting brick or a different pattern for the edge of the patio, install those pavers now. To maintain a uniform gap between pavers, use a 1/8-inch spacer if the pavers do not have integrated spacing lugs on their edges. On slightly rounded patios, lay the pavers with a wedge-shaped gap between them. For tighter curves, cut the pavers with a masonry saw into shapes that match the curves. If your design does not include a contrasting border, use field pavers to fill the entire patio (Step 10).
10. Setting the Field Pavers
Begin setting the field pavers from one side of the patio, fanning out in all directions as you follow the selected design. Lightly tap the paver bricks with a rubber mallet to “set” them into the sand. Check the surface with a 4-ft. level or 2×4 straightedge to ensure it remains flat. If you used paver edging, reposition it on the far side to minimize the number of pavers that need to be cut.
11. Installing the Cut Pavers
For angled or partial pavers, use a power masonry saw to cut them. When reaching rounded borders, place full pavers and mark the edges where they will fit against the border pavers. Cut them with a masonry saw, which is available for rent at tool rental stores. Cutting pavers is a noisy and dusty process, so wear ear protection and a particle mask.
12. Filling the Paver Joints with Sand
Spread fine-textured paver sand over the surface with a push broom, sweeping back and forth until the joints between pavers are fully filled. Pack the pavers down into the base layer with a hand- or power-tamper as the sand settles. Add more sand as necessary to completely fill the joints. Spray the surface lightly with water and allow it to dry for a day. Add more sand and tamp again if needed. Sweep the patio clean.
Step 13: Protect the Pavers (You May Skip This Step)
Some paver manufacturers suggest using a liquid sealer to cover both the surface of the pavers and the joints. This is typically recommended for certain types of pavers, such as brick or clay pavers with porous surfaces, but it’s not always necessary. You can use a pump sprayer to apply the sealer, but repeat the process annually as per the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re working with sand-set pavers, use a water-based sealer instead of a solvent-based one.
Warning
Consult with your local building department and homeowners association before you start this project since some regions may require permits.
FAQ
1. What materials do I need to install a brick paver patio?
To install a brick paver patio, you will need the following materials: bricks, sand, gravel, landscape fabric, paver edging, and a compactor. The bricks will form the surface of the patio, while the sand and gravel will provide a stable base. Landscape fabric helps prevent weeds from growing through the patio, and paver edging keeps the bricks in place. Lastly, a compactor is used to compact the sand and gravel layers, ensuring a solid foundation for the patio.
2. How do I prepare the area for the brick paver patio?
To prepare the area for a brick paver patio, start by marking the desired size and shape of the patio using stakes and string. Remove any grass or vegetation from the area, and then excavate the soil to a depth of about 6-8 inches. Next, spread a layer of gravel and compact it using a compactor. Lay landscape fabric over the gravel to prevent weed growth, and then add a layer of sand over the fabric. Level the sand using a screed board and compact it as well.
3. How do I lay the bricks for the patio?
To lay the bricks for your patio, start by placing a border of paver edging around the excavated area. This will keep the bricks in place. Next, begin laying the bricks in the desired pattern, starting from one corner and working your way outwards. Use a rubber mallet to tap each brick into place, ensuring they are level and tightly fitted together. Continue laying bricks until the entire patio area is covered, making sure to leave small gaps between each brick for sand filling.
4. How do I fill the gaps between the bricks?
To fill the gaps between the bricks, spread a layer of fine sand over the entire patio. Use a broom to sweep the sand into the gaps, ensuring it fills each space evenly. Once the gaps are filled, use a compactor to gently vibrate the patio, allowing the sand to settle further. Repeat this process until all the gaps are filled and the bricks are secure. Finally, sweep away any excess sand from the surface of the patio.
5. How do I maintain a brick paver patio?
To maintain a brick paver patio, regularly sweep away debris and leaves to prevent them from accumulating and causing stains. If any weeds do manage to grow through the gaps between the bricks, remove them as soon as possible to prevent further growth. Additionally, consider applying a sealant to the bricks every few years to protect them from weathering and enhance their appearance. Finally, avoid using harsh chemicals or pressure washers on the patio, as they can damage the bricks and affect the stability of the sand and gravel layers.