How to Lay Garden Brick
Garden bricks have many uses including the creation of a path or walkway leading from your patio to your garden. Adding a brick path easily creates a new design element to enhance the look of your backyard. Laying a brick path involves first determining where you want to locate the path. Once you have determined that, you will need to create an outline before removing the dirt. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Hammer
- Stakes
- String
- Shovel
- Plate compactor
- (2) 2 ft 2 x 4s
- (1) 3 ft 2 x 4
- Masonry sand
- Rubber mallet
- Broom
- Garden hose
Instructions
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Find a location for the path and use the hammer to make an outline with stakes. Use a tape measure to determine the width and length of the path and space stakes to mark the perimeter.
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2
Connect the stakes with string to create an outline for your path.
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3
Determine how many bricks you will need to complete the project. Multiply with width of the path by the length and then divide this number by the size of the brick you will use. A standard brick will measure 8 inches x 4 inches.
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4
Excavate the area within the outline with a shovel to remove the grass and dirt. Remove the dirt to a depth of about 4 inches.
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Flatten the area once you have removed all of the dirt. You can use a plate compactor to stamp the dirt to create a flat surface.
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Lay the two 2 ft 2 x 4s flat on each side at the beginning of the path.
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Place masonry sand between the rails and then place the 3 ft 2 x 4s at one end of the flat 2 x 4s. Pull the board to create a flat surface.
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Reposition the 2 ft 2 x 4s and set them in the next section of the path.
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Repeat the previous two steps to create a flat bed of sand for the bricks.
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Start on one end of the path and begin laying the bricks. Lay the first brick in a corner and work your way outwards. Tap on the bricks with a rubber mallet to secure them in place.
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Spread the masonry sand over the top of the bricks. Sweep the sand into the joints between the bricks with a broom.
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12
Spray the bricks lightly with water using the garden hose to help compact the sand.
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Tips & Warnings
You can rent a plate compactor at your local home improvement center.
Avoid stepping on the smooth sand when laying the bricks or you will need to re-level it.
