How to Build a Brick Walkway
There are a variety of ways to lay a brick walkway. Two of the most common methods include cementing bricks into a surface and laying them on sand. Despite the appearance of major differences, the methodologies used for both cement and sand-laid bricks are quite similar. Read below for tips on how to install a brick walkway as efficiently as possible.
First, sketch your walkway on a piece of paper to determine its shape, the number of bricks you will need, and so on. You will want to use fabricated brick paves instead of traditional bricks because they are stronger, and these generally come in a size of 7 1/2 inches by 3 3/4 inches by 2 1/8 inches thick. It is really important to properly calculate the numbers of bricks you will need before starting the job.
Next, use tape or stakes to mark out the path of the walkway on the ground. Dig out grass, weeds and so on from the area, leaving an area a bit deeper than the 2 1/8 inch thickness of your brick pavers. If your area has drainage problems, you will need to dig deeper. Remember that you can always fill up the foundation with more concrete or sand, and the deeper you dig, the stronger the foundation. Next, either pour your concrete footing or lay down a 3/4 inch base of gravel and pour sand on top. Use a bender board to set the edging of your walkway so the boundaries are clearly marked.
Lay down the brick pavers as you desire. You can get creative with the design, but use a mix of one part cement mix and four parts sand to fill the areas between bricks. "Activate" the cement by lightly hosing the area once these cracks are filled. Sweep off the bricks when complete and enjoy your new walkway.
