How to Install Cobble Circle Pavers with Fire Pit

A detailed instruction on how to build a cobble circle patio with firepit. First build a retaining wall circle around an existing fire pit ring. Then install cobble pavers in a circle around the firepit ring. With some patience and work, you will have constructed a cobble circle patio and firepit to enjoy for many years.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• materials: gravel, sand, black dirt, landscape fabric, pavers of your choice, paver edge restraint.
• tools: shovel, rake, level, square, tape measure, wheel barrow, 2x4, plate compactor, chop saw, with diamond paver blade.

1. 
    
   cobble circle pattern

   The first step is to determine the size or area of the cobble circle patio by square foot. This will figure into the estimate of materials needed later. Mark off the area with a can of white spray paint, slightly larger to allow for paver edge restraints and a footing base at the borders of the patio. Remember the area for a circle is 3.14 x radius squared. Example: if the diameter of the circle is 10 feet, take 5(squared) for radius x 3.14 = 78.5 square feet. Some paver dealers have circle kits and they tell you the diameter and square feet. In this project you would also figure the area of firepit and subtract from overall area to give you the surface area that the pavers will use.

2. Estimate the materials needed, chose desired pavers. Also estimate base material and sand, approximately 1 1/2 yards of gravel(3/4 " quarry process)per 100 square feet, this will support a 4" compacted base. Sand - a fine mason sand, about 1/4 the amount of the gravel base should be plenty. Having more is always better than not having enough base material.

3. 
    
   grade base

   Digging and preparing for a good paver base is important and will be the most time consuming process. Excavate by shovel or loader if available, use local digging laws to make sure to avoid any buried cable. Make base 6"-8" below desired height of patio, the pavers will take 2" of that so the gravel base under the pavers will be 4"- 6". If possible use a landscape fabric under gravel for better support and protect base from soil. Some areas may require a deeper base due to poor soil or recent disturbed soil from new house construction. Next - get the gravel base in by wheelbarrow, shovel, loader, and rake it out to approximate level.

4. 
    

   Grade the cobble circle patio base with a 2X4 to get an even and sloped base for water runoff. slope slightly to where desired water should run, use about a quarter bubble technique on a 4 foot level, make sure sloping the correct way. For larger patios, 2 2X4s may be needed so they would have to be nailed together. If you plan to use the firepit, make sure to place the fire ring at the proper height and location, then continue to grade and compact the patio. Start the retaining wall blocks around the fire ring with about 1/4 inch between block and ring, fill this gap with sand, and glue all blocks and caps with adhesive to make stronger. Take the time to get level, and re-grade after compaction is done (next step).

5. 
    

   Use a plate compactor or like compaction device to get good a solid base for the pavers. If the gravel is too dry, wet it down some with a garden hose to make it pack better. Grade additional times after each compaction until complete.

6. 
    

   Fine grade with mason sand the same way grading was done earlier, this final grade evens out the rough gravel grade and allows for a nice even base for the pavers. This is only a quarter inch or less layer of sand to maintain the proper grade, not an inch of sand like you may have heard of, remember the proper grade and slope has already been done with an easy to work with gravel base.

7. 
    
   cobble pavers

   Lay the pavers in the cobble circle pattern, get the pavers tight as possible, start around the firepit and continue with the circle pattern. Keep in mind pavers or retaining wall caps will need to be cut with a saw and diamond paver blade if needed, use a measuring technique or measure with paver in place and mark.

8. 
    
   edge restraints

   Finally, use a plastic edge restraint and secure with spikes about 2' apart or less for more strength. Then sweep with the same mason sand, the finer the better, it will sweep into the cracks and be a dry mortar so to speak and secure the pavers. The dryer the sand, the easier it will be to sweep in. Use the compactor to pack the paver patio and allow the sand to fall in the cracks better. I would suggest to put cardboard or fabric under the compactor to not damage pavers and stop the vibrating noise too, I bungee cord cardboard to the bottom of the compactor, however after a few times the cardboard will be worn, but will work for a single use. Sweep sand again until the paver joints will take no more sand. And the last thing would be to fill black dirt around the edge to support and landscape to your desire, seed grass or rock (this covers the plastic edging).

Resources

• Hildebrand Construction