How To Install A Brick Paver Patio

A great way that you can transform the look of your backyard is with brick pavers. They will help create a beautiful surface for a patio that is much more elegant than using a concrete slab. Installing a patio made of brick pavers is a DIY project that can be done over the course of a day.

Gather The Tools

Before you can get started, gather the following tools and materials:

  • Brick pavers
  • Landscaping fabric
  • Sand
  • Stakes
  • String
  • Gravel
  • Shovel

When purchasing pavers from your local home improvement store, consider purchasing keystone pavers. They will make the entire installation process easier as they interlock with each other.

Measure The Patio

Use stakes and string to create a basic outline for your patio. You can check that your lines are square by taking diagonal measurements from corner to corner. If the two measurements match, your patio is square.

Use spray paint to mark the lines in your grass.

Remove The Grass

The grass will need to be removed two inches on the outside of the border you just created. This is necessary to install the retaining wall that holds the brick pavers in place. You will need to remove 7 inches of soil from the area for the brick pavers to fit properly at surface level.

Prep The Patio Base

Before you can start laying down your first brick paver, you will need to prep the base with the following materials.

  • 1-Inch – Sand
  • 3.5 Inches – Gravel
  • Landscape fabric

Start by laying down the sand, followed by gravel, and then top it off with landscape fabric. While the landscape fabric is not necessary for a sturdy foundation, it helps prevent weed growth between the patio paver stones.

A great tip for leveling the top layer of gravel is to use a 2x4. The flat and long edge of a 2x4 creates an even layer that is ideal for the brick pavers to rest on.

Place The Pavers

Start in a corner of the patio with a special corner piece, then lay down each row of brick pavers. Keep adding row after row until your patio is complete. You can make the gaps between brick pavers as big or as small as you want, as you will be filling them in later. Use long and narrow brick pavers around the entire perimeter for your retaining wall.

With all of the bricks placed on the ground, pour sand into the cracks. It is easiest to place the sand in the middle of the patio, and push the sand into the gaps with a broom. Finish by spraying the sand with water to help it settle between the gaps.

That is all there is to it! You can now enjoy your new brick paver patio knowing that it is installed correctly. If you require any assistance with installing your new patio, you can check out http://www.oliverslandscaping.com.


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