How to Apply Brick Pavers to Concrete

Apply brick pavers over existing concrete to spruce up an interior room or exterior living space.

Applying brick pavers over existing concrete is done by using thin pieces of brick, usually less than 1 1/2 inches in thickness. Brick pavers can dramatically upgrade the appearance of plain, gray concrete surfaces. Since concrete is such a long-lasting and strong material, it makes a suitable foundation for brick pavers. Applying the brick pavers to the concrete foundation is similar in method to laying tile flooring.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Brick pavers
• Leveling compound
• Floor grinder
• 4- or 8-foot level
• Push broom
• Snap chalk line
• Thin-set mortar
• Bucket
• Drill with paddle mixer
• Notched trowel
• Tile spacers
• Chalk
• Wet saw
• Brick sealer
• Paint roller
• Grout
• 5-gallon bucket
• Grout float

Instructions

1. Measure the concrete surface to figure square footage. Add 5 percent to this figure and take the calculation with you when you purchase your brick pavers. The extra 5 percent will account for cutting mistakes and/or any brick pavers that may come damaged from the factory.

2. Fill low spots on the concrete subfloor with a leveling compound according to package directions. Grind down bumps with a floor grinder. Use a 4- to 8-foot level to ensure the concrete is flat and level.

3. Clear the concrete surface of dust and dirt with a push broom.

4. Find the center of two opposite sides of the concrete subfloor using the tape measure. Snap a chalk line between these two points. Repeat the procedure for the other two opposing sides so that you have two chalk lines that intersect in the middle. The intersection of the two chalk lines is the starting point for the brick paver installation.

5. Mix thin-set mortar with water in a bucket according to package instructions. Insert a drill equipped with a paddle mixer into the thin-set and mix until lump-free. Do not mix more thin-set that you are able to use within a 20-minute time frame, because it starts to harden quickly.

6. Spread the thin-set over the concrete with the notched edge of the trowel. Contain the work area to about a 3-foot-wide space at the starting point you created earlier with the intersecting chalk lines.

7. Press the brick pavers into the thin-set, forming your desired pattern or design. Separate each brick paver evenly from the surrounding pavers with tile spacers against each side. Continue to spread thinset, press pavers and use the tile spacers until you come to an area where you need to adjust the size of one or more brick pavers.

8. Mark the brick pavers with chalk where you need to cut in order for the piece to fit. Cut the marked brick pavers with a wet saw, and press them into the thin-set to finish applying the pavers to the concrete.

9. Allow the thin-set to harden for one hour. Remove the tile spacers and apply an even layer of brick sealer to all the pavers using a roller. Allow the brick sealer to dry overnight.

10. Mix tile grout in a 5-gallon bucket, or a smaller container depending on the size of the concrete area. Refer to the package instructions on the tile grout for complete mixing information. Spread the grout across the joint lines with a grout float. Use the float to force the grout into each brick joint. Angle the grout float 45 degrees and wipe the grout from the face of the brick pavers. Allow the grout to set overnight to harden and dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Brick pavers can also butt against each other, eliminating the need for spacers. To use or not use tile spacers is based on individual taste.

References

• Interstate Brick: Frequently Asked Questions
• Clay Paver: Interior Brick Flooring