The right walkway leading to a home can certainly improve curb appeal and help increase the value of the property, and most consumers would be surprised to learn that a brick walkway is truly not that difficult to install. By taking the time to learn how to properly lay a brick walkway, a property owner can ensure that the job is done right and delivers an impressive result that anyone can be proud of.
Contents
Measure Area of Walkway
The project cannot begin until a property owner determines exactly where they would like the walkway, and the measuring process is going to be critical to the overall success of the install. Unless the brick walkway is going to be in a perfectly straight line, it is necessary to understand that it will be impossible to properly determine exactly how many bricks are going to be required. A garden hose can make an excellent temporary border due to the fact that it is flexible. Any measurements should be rounded up and an additional 10% should be ordered when purchasing the necessary materials. Most landscape supply vendors will allow the excess to be returned for a refund, and individuals should always order enough at the beginning to ensure that the materials match.
Gather Necessary Materials & Tools for Installation
– Tape Measure
– Garden Hose
– Sand
– Small Pebbles (Optional)
– Ground Leveler
– Weed Fabric
– Flathead Shovel
– Chisel and Hammer (if Necessary)
– Broom
Prepare Site for Installation
The difficulty of the install is going to depend largely on the topography of the land, and some are obviously going to be much easier than others. A particularly hilly area may require the use of a tiller or even heavy equipment, but most installs can be accomplished with a ground leveler or tamper. Any grass should be removed from the area and the ground stripped completely clean. The ground can be smoothed out with a leveler or tamper, and most hardware or home supply stores have these tools available for rental. Laying down a weed fabric will help make maintenance easier once the walkway is installed and can prevent grass from growing between the bricks. The final step is to spread a layer of sand approximately one to two inches thick prior to placing the bricks in place.
Arrange Bricks in Place
Most individuals choose to lay a floating brick walkway, meaning that there is no concrete holding each piece in place. From a maintenance standpoint, avoiding mortar can help prevent cracking and damage when the walkway settles over the years. The bricks can simply be placed down into the sand and arranged as necessary. If any pieces will not fit or need to be cut for curvature, a chisel and a hammer can prove to be the most efficient way to make the necessary changes.
Complete Finishing Touches
After the bricks are in place, many individuals like to use small pebbles to fill the voids between the pieces. The pebbles can be swept in between the bricks to help create a perfectly smooth surface. If the bricks are going to be placed too close together to allow such a pathway, it is also possible to use an additional layer of sand that can be swept down between each brick. It is important to place a little bit of weight on each brick to firmly place it down into the ground and help avoid loose pieces. The brick walkway does not require any time to dry or set and can be used immediately upon its completion.
