My wife and I are looking to build a small brick patio off the front of our house (12x 12?). Could you walk us through the process? We have seen it done on TV in the past and it looks like a fun project that we could do ourselves with some advice.
Signed, Brick by Brick
A: Dear Brick by Brick,
A 12x12 patio will provide a great weekend project for two.
First, you’ll need to select and purchase your bricks (What type? Not like an interior brick). If you need to visually see what your layout will look like, do the following:
• Place your bricks over the laid out area and add two inches to length and width for edging.
• Run a string around the perimeter to assure you add the proper amount of material with each layer.
Once done, you will need to dig to an eight-inch depth. Why? You’ll need four inches of crushed stone, two inches of sand, and your brick, which will generally measure about two inches thick. The important thing to keep in mind is that your patio should slope about a half an inch per running foot away from any nearby object (house foundation, stairs, etc.)
Now you can start building your patio:
• Put four inches of crushed stone in place and hand-tamp (or you can use a mechanical compactor) until the layer of stone is fully compressed. Next, you’ll need to cover the entire area with landscape fabric. You should overlap edges about three inches to avoid weeds from pushing through.
• Pour in two inches of sand. Smooth and grade with a landscape rake. This will provide a good base for your bricks to sit on. Compact entire area.
• Next, install brick edging around the entire perimeter. Use landscape stakes or “nails” about eight to 12 inches long to secure edging.
• Insert your first row of bricks, from one side to the other. You will need to tap them into place with a mallet and level as you go. (Bricks will have a pre-molded spacer built in.) You will end with a half-brick.
• Start the next row with a half-brick, alternating the pattern.
• Once you’ve completed the entire area, you’ll want to pour sand over the surface to fill in the spaces. Sweep the sand across the bricks to adequately fill in the cracks.
•Following the first application of sand, wash down with water.
•Repeat the application.
Note: You can cut your bricks by using a hammer and brick chisel. However, an easier but more expensive way to cut your brick is with a wet saw (they can be rented).
Kaile Warren of Windham is CEO/Founder of the national handyman franchise Rent-A-Husband. Kaile is also a national home improvement expert for the CBS Early Show, HGTV and Parade Magazine. When not on the road or working he spends his time teaching his newly adopted white shepherd, Maintenance, how-to ... Send your questions for Kaile to editor@themaineswitch.com.