how do you lay brick pavers?

Question

We want to do a brick paver walkway and are not sure of all the steps. What do we need to do?

Answer 1

Rent a flat plate tamper. Without using one you won't get nearly the job that you will if you do. Dig your walk area out and tamp the dirt. Some people will lay down a layer of rock first (I would) and then sand on top but you can probably manage with just sand. If you use the rock, tamp it before laying the sand layer down. About 3-4 inches of rock and a couple inches of sand is enough. Start laying the pavers out on the sand. I like to use a rubber mallet on a 2-3 foot 2 x 4 with a piece of old carpet nailed to it to hammer the pavers down fairly level. When all your pavers are in place go up and down the walk way with the tamper. Don't go back and forth. Put sand on the pavers and spread with a push broom. Take your hose and wash the sand so that fills the cracks. Viola, your done!!

Answer 2

Our front porch is concrete with a layer of pavers in a basket weave pattern with a soldier course around the edges. They are set in a bed of mortar with mortar between the joints. They have been in place for almost 11 years with no problems. Our concrete was new. If yours is older, you may need to acid etch the surface to help the motar bond.

Answer 3

Dig out and level the ground. Pour sand into and level that out. Set pavers in your desired pattern. Pour remaining sand over to fill crevasses and wash off with water to pack and fill. Your done! Simple, cheap and extrememly effective! Good luck! :)