How To Create Your Own Stone or Brick Patio
November 30th, 2010 | 
Author:
In this DIY installation guide, you will learn the basic steps for building your own patio of brick or paving stone.
Supplies You Will Need:
Measuring Tape
Shovels
Rubber Mallets
A Tamper (see below)
Metal Rods (approx 6-8″)
String
A Level
Coarse Dirt, Crushed Rock, and Concrete Sand
Bricks or Paving Stones (Using interlocking bricks and stones makes the job easier, and the result more sturdy!)
First, measure your space out. You will need these measurements to determine how many stones and the quantity of foundation materials you will need. Bricks and stones come in all shapes and sizes, and you will have to customize to your specifications. Now that you have measured, mark it your corners. You may do this with metal rods, shoved into the ground at squared corners until the amount exposed is equal to the height you intend your patio to reach.
Once you are comfortable with your rod placement, string the perimeter of the area. Now, excavate your space. Using your shovels and whatever else you may have to facilitate this chore, dig down at least 4-6 inches to allow yourself space for a proper foundation. (If you have large spaces to excavate, I recommend renting a ground tiller for this step.)
After preparing the desired space, you will need firm ground. Add your coarse dirt, or if you are comfortable with the dirt currently existing in your workspace, you may opt to skip this step. I recommend renting a motorized tamper from the Home Depot Tool Rental department, however, you may use a hand-tamper if you wish. A hand-tamper is a tool that has a square on the end of a pole, and you use this to compact the dirt that you have just dug up, and/or added.
Nest, add a layer of crushed gravel at least two inches thick. This step will provide a sturdy base, and will help avoid any buckling or shifting your patio may be inclined to do after the first good rain you get after installation. It will help your craftsmanship stand the test of time, because who wants to have to do a project this big twice?
Again, you will need to compact this material. Using your motorized tamper, or if you choose, your hand tamper (recommended only for smaller jobs), go over the area several times in each direction to attempt to create a firm, level surface. Your level is an important tool in each step of this process. Use it often, and check your work against your partners if you attempt working from opposite sides in towards each other.
Once you have your crushed rock into place and compacted, check your depth once more. You should have enough room for a full inch of sand, and then the height of your brick. Again, this is all project-specific, so you will have to tailor these guidelines to your needs
Pour sand to a height of one inch. Rake this sand as evenly as possible throughout the entire area to be paved with brick or stone. Now, you may begin laying the bricks themselves. Be sure that you have the correct side up, especially for interlocking bricks. A rubber mallet may be useful to “seat” bricks firmly in the sand. Take care not to break them, but do be prepared to lose a few in the process.
Take your time, and use your level as you place each brick. Check each brick for level by itself, and in relation to the others you lay around it as you go. If you desire to incorporate a drainage pitch, you may do so according to your specific yard.
It may be helpful to use a square when installing square paving stones. Simply check each joint that you create as you go, and you can avoid having to pull up and correct stones that go wayward.
Continue laying bricks or stones until your job space is full. Perform any final assessments to check your work; use your level, walk on it, and make sure your metal rods are now basically flush with the ground.
Fill cracks using sand swept into the cracks with a rake or broom. Do this, then spray down the entire surface, allowing the sand to compact itself with the moisture. Then repeat this process with more sand until cracks are filled.
Now, clean up your work area, stand back, and admire what you’ve created!
Random Posts
Posted in Uncategorized | 
Tags: Bricks And Stones, Crushed Rock, Diy Installation, Paving Stone, Proper Foundation