How to Lay Brick on a Concrete Surface

Put on safety glasses or goggles and heavy-duty work gloves. Prepare the concrete space you plan to lay your brick pavers over by sweeping it thoroughly to remove any dust and debris.

Spread concrete degreaser across the surface of the concrete. Firmly scrub the surface of the concrete with your scrub brush. Rinse away the dirt and debris as well as the remaining degreaser with a hose on full power. Allow the concrete to dry completely before moving on.

Measure the concrete area with your tape measure. Measure the brick pavers you plan to install. Decide how you'll lay them and what you want the pattern to be. Determine how many pavers you need for your space and pattern. Add 10 percent more to your total before buying your pavers in case some break during installation.

Mix your mortar. The typical ratio is one part cement to four parts sand, with water added in until the mortar is the right consistency. Each brand of mortar has a specific recipe guide. Follow the instructions on your mortar package. Mix ingredients together using a drill with a paddle attachment in a large plastic bucket to get evenly mixed mortar.

Spread a 4-by-4-foot layer of mortar onto the clean concrete surface. Use the flat side of your trowel. Start at the flat side or corner of a wall or boundary. Starting with a 4-by-4-foot area prevents the mortar from drying before you lay your bricks down.

Place bricks onto the mortar carefully and evenly. Ensure the entire back surface of the brick is touching mortar. Repeat Step 5 and 6 until you have one row of bricks. Check to see that the bricks are level with each additional row using a carpenter's level.

Adjust bricks that are not level with the others by tapping them firmly with a rubber mallet. Tap the areas of the brick that are sticking out and up from the rest. Be firm but gentle, as the weight of the bricks may cause it to sink below the rest of the bricks, making it impossible to raise it again.

Cover your completed brick surface with plastic sheeting or a tarp. Allow your work to dry under the sheeting for at least two weeks before you begin to walk over it.

Remove the sheeting after two to three weeks. Grout between the edges of the bricks with sand. Push sand into the cracks between the bricks with a broom and pack it down firmly.

Spray concrete sealant over the entire patio. Spray one layer and allow it to dry. Spread two to three layers until an even result is achieved. This protects your new patio from the elements.