The usage of Bricks or Pavers to create a walkway or patio matches a house in a way that is unmatched. In addition, installing a Brick or Paver sidewalk does not always require a pro.
The key to setting up a Brick or Paver Walkway is to very first appropriately prepare the area where the bricks/pavers are to be installed. The area needs to be removed at least a foot down, removing all topsoil and clay soil. In addition, string lines should be strung on each side of the sidewalk. The string lines suggest the finished height of the sidewalk.
As soon as the location has been dug, 3/4" gravel stone ought to be laid in and tamped down tightly. 2" of sand, or stone dust should be spread out over the gravel. Again the sand/stone dust need to be tamped down. Stone dust is preferred. The height in between the tamped down sand and the stringline ought to equate to the thickness of the brick or paver.
Now that you have a stable base, put a 1" pipe or ledger board the length of the sidewalk on either side of the pathway. Then utilizing a flatedge, e.g. a 2"x4" board, slide it over the two lengths of the pipe/ledger board. In doing this you will create a level surface location to lay the bricks/pavers.
Now place on the level sand/stone dust strips of plastic brick borders. Set up a run on both sides of the prepared location. These strips will act as your walkway border and assistance to keep the integrity and shape of the pathway. You can get these plastic strip borders at most home enhancement shops. The strips should be anchored down with 12" galvinized nails. You must sink these nails into the ground and through the strips every foot.
The key to laying the bricks/pavers is to ensure that they interlock with each other. Always stagger adjacent rows of bricks by 1/2 of a brick to interlock them. This will again help preserve the integrity of the pathway.
Undoubtedly bricks/pavers will require to be cut or divided when constructing the sidewalk. Unless big bricks you wish to buy or rent an expensive wetsaw, I would suggest purchasing an easy brick/paver splitter. It is generally a sculpt with a broad end that is the width of the bricks/pavers. To in fact cut/split the brick/paver, lay it in a bed of sand and location the sculpt at a 75 degree angle over the area where you want to break the brick. Then utilizing a hammer strike the butt end of the sculpt firmly. You may require to do this a number of times. You may also want to turn the brick/paver over and strike the opposite of the brick using the hammer and chisle. Within a couple of strikes the brick/paver ought to break cleanly. If your walkway has curves you will need to buy/rent a wetsaw.
After installing the bricks, develop the outside edges with extra sand, and after that shovel in the topsoil and pack down strongly.
Spread stone dust over the new sidewalk and sweep into the cracks. Repeat this procedure a number of times to ensure the cracks are fully filled. This will complete the interlocking of the bricks and help to get rid of any weed growth. Simply add grass seed to the outdoors edges and you ought to have a stunning entrance to your house within a number of weeks.
In addition, installing a Brick or Paver sidewalk does not necessarily require a pro. The secret to installing a Brick or Paver Walkway is to very first appropriately prepare the location where the bricks/pavers are to be installed. Now that you have a stable base, put a 1" pipe or journal board the length of the sidewalk on either side of the walkway. These strips will act as your sidewalk border and help to preserve the stability and shape of the pathway. Undoubtedly bricks/pavers will need to be cut or split when building the pathway.