Seven Easy Steps to Installing Your Own Walkway, Driveway and Patio Without Mortar or Concrete!
(Part 1 of 5)

Courtesy of the Brick Industry Association

Foreword by the Natural Handyman...

This instructional information has been supplied to us by the Brick Industry Association.  We have adapted their original brochure (sent to us in Adobe Acrobat format) to .html, and have broken it up into parts to decrease the downloading time... especially if you are using a dialup connection.  We have also made some slight changes to the text to adapt it to this format. There are other books and instructional materials available through their website at http://www.bia.org. Please send any questions concerning the methods employed or content in this brochure directly to them at brickinfo@bia.org.

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Here's what you'll need to get started:

Brick...

Brick pavers are different from the brick used on house walls in that they are solid, i.e., without holes. Sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but they generally come in 4' x 8', 3 5 /8' x 7 5 /8' and 3 3 /4' x 7 1/2'. Typical thicknesses run from about 1 1/4' to 2 1/4'. There are also many different styles to choose from, with each manufacturer carrying its own selection.

Sand... 

This is what holds the brick in place. Use only well-graded, washed concrete sand.

Crushed Stone...

This creates a strong base. It may be called different things in different parts of the country-gravel, road base, or crusher run. Whatever the name, the stones should range in size from about 3 /4' down to fine dust.

Border or Edging Materials...

(your choice)

1. Brick

2. Rigid plastic or metal specifically intended as edging material

3. Wood: 2 x 4 or 4 x 4 pressure-treated, or natural redwood

For wood, metal or rigid plastic, you’ll need metal spikes that are at least 8” long.

String and Wooden Stakes...

Used for aligning brickwork

Tools...

1. Flat shovel
2. Wheelbarrow
3. Garden hose with fine spray nozzle
4. Hard garden rake
5. Broad-blade chisel, brick splitter or masonry saw for cutting and fitting the brick (the last two are readily available for rent at your local rental store or brick distributor)
6. Carpenter's level
7. Wood "screed" strip- a 2 x 4, at least 3' long (used to create a uniform sand bed depth)
8. Electric drill and appropriate size bit (for wood edging only)
9. Trowel
10. Broom
11. Plate compactor (rented)

Continue to Part 2