I’ve been thinking about laying pavers over brick a lot lately. I’m not sure why; it’s just something that keeps coming up in conversations with friends. Anyway, I decided that if I’m going to spend so much time pondering a project, I might as well do something about it.
So here we are: I’ve taken all my ideas and put them together into one comprehensive guide for how to lay pavers over brick—and make them look good doing it!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Installing pavers requires proper ground preparation, including removing existing materials and adding a base layer of gravel and sand. |
| Sealing pavers can help protect them from damage, but it is not always necessary. |
| Cutting pavers to fit in irregular spaces requires careful measuring and marking, as well as the use of tools such as a masonry saw or angle grinder. |
| Pavers can be installed over an existing concrete surface if the surface is level, crack-free, and in good condition. |
| Regular maintenance of pavers includes sweeping or blowing away debris, cleaning up spills and stains promptly, and re-sanding the joints as needed to prevent shifting and settling. |
Decide on a Pattern
To start, you’ll need to decide on a pattern. The most popular choices are brickwork and checkered brickwork. Checkered brickwork is the easiest way to lay pavers over brick, but it can get boring after a while.
Brickwork is more intricate and interesting, but it may take longer to install because of all the cutting required for each individual piece of masonry.
Next up: decide how much of your patio will be covered in pavers and how much will be left exposed by using bricks as edging between pathways or flower beds, for example.
If you’re installing pavers over an entire patio area, then you might want to consider blocking off some parts with traditional sandstone or granite steps these materials blend well with most types of paving materials like concrete or stones so they won’t stand out too much when viewed from afar (and they add interest when viewed up close).
“Creating a beautiful and functional deck out of pavers is easier than you might think. Our step-by-step guide on how to make a deck out of pavers will help you achieve the perfect outdoor space for your home.” – How to Make a Deck Out of Pavers
Remove the Weeds
Weeds are a problem because they can damage the pavers. You could remove the weeds by hand pulling them out of the ground, but if your pavers are in a tight spot you’ll have to be careful not to get too close and pull up some of the stones with them.
If this is happening, you should stop what you’re doing immediately and try again later when there’s more room for error.
If you don’t want to deal with this kind of hassle, use a weed killer like Roundup or Ortho Grass B Gon Lawn Weed Killer Plus Crabgrass Killer Ready-to-Use Concentrate 24 fl oz (709 ml) on an area that’s 3 feet around each stone as soon as possible after laying your pavers down
Calculate Materials Needed and Select Stone
To calculate how much pavers you need, measure the area that you want to cover with stone. Add 5% to this number for waste and errors.
To choose the right color of stone, look at your patio or walkway material as well as other details in the area (e.g., bricks or stones). You can also choose colors that match nearby plants or flowers, if possible.
To select the right shape of stone, keep in mind that long edges are easier for laying out than short ones. They also give a more natural look when viewed from different angles around your home’s exterior spaces such as patios and walkways.
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Remove Bricks and Level the Surface
Before you start, it’s a good idea to remove any bricks that may be in the way of where you plan to put your pavers. Use a hammer and chisel or sledgehammer to break up concrete and remove bricks as needed.
When leveling the surface, use a straightedge (like this one) as well as a 4-foot level (like this one).
If you don’t have access to these tools, place two pieces of flat wood on top of each other and place them across the area where your path will be laid out; if they don’t touch together, add more wood until they do so that all surfaces are flat.
Lay Down Sand
Next, you’ll need to spread sand evenly over the pavers. A good way to do this is by using a trowel and sweeping the excess sand off with a broom. You can then use a rake to smooth out any bumps in the sand that were not removed from sweeping.
“Building a seating wall with pavers can add an extra touch of elegance to your outdoor space. Our guide on how to build a seating wall with pavers provides you with all the necessary steps to create a beautiful and functional seating area for your home.” – How to Build a Seating Wall with Pavers
Add Edge Restraints
Add edge restraints. If you’re laying pavers over brick, you’ll need to use edge restraints to keep the pavers from moving around. These can be metal or plastic, but they must be strong enough to support the weight of the pavers and prevent them from tipping over.
Edge restraints are a must for curved designs because they help hold all those corners in place—but they aren’t always necessary when laying square paver designs on a flat surface like a driveway or patio.
The rule of thumb is that if your project calls for more than four bends in a row (like an L-shaped layout), then using an edge restraint should be considered mandatory regardless of whether or not it would add additional expense or time to your project
Determine the Layout
Lay out the pattern on the ground. Using stakes, string and a tape measure, mark the outline of your patio perimeter with string or chalk.
If you have access to blueprints, use these to plan out your pattern. Make sure that the patio is symmetrical and that no part overlaps another part. Mark all edges of your patio with stakes so that you know where to lay pavers later on in this process.
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Lay Pavers in Place
Once you’ve laid out a pattern that looks good to you, it’s time to start installing the pavers. This step is very straightforward: lay the first row of pavers into place one at a time, and then use your rubber mallet or hammer to tap them into their final positions.
Be sure not to push too hard on any one paver—it can cause them all to sink accidentally below the level of other pavers in your layout. If they do end up lower than they should be, try tapping them upward with more force until they’re flush with their neighbors again.
When laying out patterns that involve curves or corners, be extra careful about keeping everything straight; otherwise it will look sloppy and unprofessional!
Compact Pavers in Place and Fill with Mortar or Sand
To lay pavers over brick, you must first remove any loose dirt or debris from the surface of the brick. Next, compact your pavers with a tamper and fill in any gaps between them with mortar or sand.
After compacting, use a trowel to fill in around each paver with more mortar or sand as needed. Sweep away excess mortar that is stuck to the tops of your pavers using a broom and then use a wet sponge to clean up any mortar that gets on areas not intended for coverage (such as edges).
“Rectangle pavers are a popular choice for walkways, patios, and driveways. Our step-by-step guide on how to install rectangle pavers will help you achieve a flawless installation and create a beautiful and functional outdoor space for your home.” – How to Install Rectangle Pavers
Brush Off Excess Sand from Pavers and Clean Mortar from Edges
Use a broom to brush off any excess sand. If there’s still more sand than you’d like, sweep it off with the broom again and use a damp sponge to wipe away the remaining dust.
Wipe mortar from edges with a wet sponge alone or one that has been dipped in some mild detergent solution.
If you have mortar stuck to your pavers, use a wire brush or angle grinder with a wire wheel attachment for removing it—but keep an eye out for exposed rebar!
Trim Edge Restraints with a Saw if Necessary to Accommodate Curves of Designs
If the design of your pavers includes curves, you may need to trim the edge restraints with a saw. You can cut them using a jigsaw or circular saw.
Edge restraints are used to bond pavers to the ground and keep them in place while they’re being laid out. If you want your paver installation to look really nice, it’s important that all of your edges are straight and even.
Cutting edge restraints with a saw can be challenging if you don’t have much experience with power tools, so it may be best for someone who is more skilled with tools than yourself (like an electrician) to do this step for you instead!
Conclusion
When laying a paver walkway over brick, it’s important to make sure the pavers are level with each other. You can do this by attaching them to a wood frame and using spacers to ensure that there will be no gaps.
You should also keep in mind that you’ll need to run all electrical lines through conduit before setting our patio pavers on top of your existing bricks!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you learn more about installing and working with pavers:
How to Install Pavers: A comprehensive guide from Oregon State University that covers the basics of installing pavers for various projects.
All About Brick Pavers: This Old House offers a comprehensive guide to brick pavers, including how to choose the right type of paver and how to install them properly.
How to Lay Pavers: Amber Tiles provides a detailed guide on how to lay pavers for a variety of projects, including patios, walkways, and driveways.
FAQs
How do I prepare the ground for pavers?
Before installing pavers, you need to prepare the ground by removing any existing materials, leveling the area, and adding a base layer of gravel and sand.
Do I need to use a sealer on my pavers?
Sealing your pavers can help protect them from stains and other damage, but it is not always necessary. The decision to use a sealer will depend on the specific type of paver and the intended use of the surface.
How do I cut pavers to fit in irregular spaces?
You can use a masonry saw, angle grinder, or chisel to cut pavers to fit in irregular spaces. It’s important to measure and mark the pavers carefully before cutting to ensure a precise fit.
Can I install pavers over an existing concrete surface?
Yes, you can install pavers over an existing concrete surface. However, the surface must be level, free of cracks, and in good condition.
How do I maintain my paver surface?
Regular maintenance of your paver surface includes sweeping or blowing away debris, cleaning up spills and stains promptly, and re-sanding the joints between the pavers as needed to prevent shifting and settling.
I am Hellen James, a landscape architect. For many years I have written about landscaping for various publications; however, recently decided to focus my writing on personal experience as a profession.