Patios made of brick or pressed-concrete paving stones is one of the most beautiful ways to provide a floor for a backyard living area. There are many types of paving stones from clay brick to pressed-concrete. Many of the new concrete bricks are colored and provide an interlocking pattern. Theses are easy to install and will provide several lifetimes of use.
However, pressed-concrete relies on pigments and these will fade over time. In addition these types are porous and, unlike brick, can discolor because of mildew, oxidization and staining whereas real clay brick will hold its color. Some people will not be bothered by this because they have pressure-washers and feel that natural aging fits in well with the yard rather than the fiery red of brick.
Whether you are putting in a brick paver or paving stone patio the preparation of the ground is the same. With a paving stone pad you will not have to worry about sloping the land away from the home because excess water can drain through. However, even if you are sloping it away a 4″ drain tile underneath will make sure that water does not get underneath the sand base and either erode the base or, in cold climates, cause frost heaving.
Once the area are has been cleared a gravel base is put in just like of you were putting in a driveway only not as thick. About 4″ will do and level this out. Then, with a rented compactor, flatten the gravel and fill in any depressions. Next use a 3″ covering of sand or, even better, crusher dust as a base for the pavers. Compact this, level it off, fill in the depressions and compact again.
Before laying the stones get a pattern set up. If it requires cobblestones in different sizes take your design and measurements to the patio store so they can check the amount of the pavers you need. If you are doing an intricate pattern it might be best to pay a professional to come in and lay the stones. If the materials are there and the pad set up it would only be a couple of days’ pay for a good job.
For a rectangular patio at a 90 angle from the home start with a “soldier course” to frame the area. This is like stacking the brick sideways at a 90 degree angle to where other bricks will go. After the edge is completed start in the exact middle and work to the outside. The last edges will have to be cut with a diamond saw, also a rental.
The point is that if you have the base set up you can put down any pattern you want. After the pattern has been put down compact again to seat the bricks. To grout the bricks use a special opaving sand. The sides of each grain are sharp which enables them to lock to each other and hold the pavers tight. Our on the pavers and, using a garage broom, sweep into the crevices. Compact on last tijme and sill the voids with more sand until level with the surface.
Also, keep extra sand available to fill in the gaps. This should not be a common occurrence but it’s good to have a pail around.
