It may seem daunting at first, but installing your own brick paver pathway is easy if you have a plan. Welcome to your plan. Plus, the best part about doing it yourself is that you can add those extra details, like lighting and irrigation, that could put the bill through the roof if you hired a crew to do it for you.
1 Layout the path:
Style:
Use a Garden hose or two to layout the path from doorway to street. Make it a minimum of 4 feet wide. It's best to gracefully curve the pathway and flare out the path at the street and the house.
Mark:
Mark:
With a can of spray paint or lawn marker, spray the outline into the lawn and remove the hose.
Double Check:
Double Check:
Make sure your sprinkler system or any utilities don't run in the path. If they do, you'll most likely be way above them - but double check - just in case. You can call 811 and they'll come out and mark and check for free. Call in advance, even before you you've styled and marked the path, because it can take a few weeks for them to make it out.
2 Prepare the area:
Dig:
Dig out the area to about 4 - 5" deep and a few inches wider than marked.
Plan Ahead:
Plan Ahead:
One day you'll want to run something under this path. Near the start and finish, dig a deeper trench that spans the future walkway and drop in a 4" piece of PVC. Cap the PVC at both ends, but don't glue the cap on. Make sure the PVC will extend past the path and is low enough to not raise the path.
Touch up:
Touch up:
Smooth and level out the path as much as possible at this stage. Make sure it slopes away from the house at least 1" for every 8' of run.
3. Edge Prep:
Style:
Use either wood stakes or metal edging. Many brick paver companies have their own edging which can be used as well. Install the edging so that it will eventually run about 1/4" below the finished pavers.
Measure:
Measure the depth of your pavers. Most are about 2 3/8". Plan on 1" or gravel and 1" of sand and then your pavers to get to the correct height.
Make a screed tool:
Out of a 8' 2x4, notch out a section on each side the width of the pavers (2 3/8") You want the total length of the screed to be longer than the widest part of the path. You want the full thickness section of the screed to be slightly shorter than the shortest width of the path.
4. Installation
Gravel:
Lay down gravel about 1 inch thick. Level with a loose rake and tamp down.
Sand: Lay down about an 1 1/2 inches of sand, working from house to street. Tamp the sand down with the tamper and screed smooth with your screed. If you notice low areas, add more sand, tamp and re-screed.
Pavers:
Simply lay the pavers straight down in the sand (don't slide them in place) in the pattern you prefer. You'll need a masonry saw or chisel (if you're good) to shape some of the stones on the edge. Don't worry, the saws are rentable at any large home improvement store. They'll even walk through safety equipment needed and how to use it.
Sand and Sweep:
After completion, sweep sand into the cracks and water in. Wait for it to dry and repeat.
Tips:
There are lots of available styles and patterns. You can also create your own. Browse online for ideas, and then check out local stores for available patterns.
Be sure to take into consideration the color of your home and any other hardscapes to make sure that everything coordinates. If you're unsure, contact a landscape architect, interior designer, or a bunch of friends and get some input.
The old adage "Measure twice - cut once" applies to all sorts of home improvements - including this one. Plan your project carefully.
If you want to install lighting, do it now while the grounds torn up and wires are easily run.
Tools:
- Gloves
- Hose
- Lawn Paint
- Shovel
- Measuring Tape
- Shovel
- Rake
- Hand Tamp
- Broom
- Masonry Saw
- Mallet or Hammer
Equiptment:
- Pavers
- Sand
- Gravel
- Edging
- PVC Pipe 4" x 4 (for underneath the walkway)
- 8 4"PVC caps
