DIY Brick Patio Pavers

Drive stakes into the ground around the perimeter of your patio space. Drive the stakes 6 inches farther out than you want your patio to extend so that you have room to install supports for your bricks. Tie nylon cords between the stakes to create an outline of your patio.

Excavate the patio area, including the extra room for the supports. Use a shovel or spade to dig the entire area out to a depth of 8 inches. Check the depth constantly with a level or tape measure to ensure uniformity.

Line the excavated area with 2 inches of crushed granite. The granite will allow for water to drain into the ground from underneath the bricks. Use a rake to smooth over the granite evenly across the surface.

Spray the granite lightly with water. Compact the surface with a hand tamper or plate compactor. Go over the entire surface evenly to make sure the granite is flat, or else the brick pavers could stick up unevenly.

Add another 2 inches of granite, then spray and compact again. After compacting, check the level of the 4-inch granite layer to make sure it is completely flat.

Cut three 6-inch by 6-inch boards to fit the length of the three sides of your patio that do not directly contact your home. If your patio is an island, cut a board to fit all four sides. Use pressure-treated wood to ensure that it will not rot over time. The wood pieces will prevent your bricks from shifting out of the patio area.

Lay your first piece of wood along the left edge of your patio, sitting against the guide line you installed earlier. Drill holes downward 6 inches from each end and drive a 12-inch-long piece of rebar through each hole. This will hold the wood to the ground.

Repeat the wood installation on the right side of patio. Lay the front and back pieces as well, securing them to the ground with rebar. Secure the front and back pieces to the edge pieces with wood nails or screws.

Cover the remaining patio area with landscaping fabric to prevent grass and weeds from growing between the pavers. Add another 3-inch layer of crushed granite, and then spray and compact the area.

Measure the distance between the granite and the top of the wood piece. There should be 2 inches of space between the top of the timbers and the granite. If this measurement is different on your project, add another layer of gravel and compact it until you have achieved the correct distance.

Set your first paver in one corner of the patio area. Continue to lay the pavers, using any pattern you prefer. Pound pavers into place gently with a rubber mallet to keep them flush with the wood pieces. Continue until all pavers are laid.

Cover the patio with a layer of fine-grain sand. Sweep the sand across the patio surface with a push broom to force the sand into the joints between pavers to seal the joint areas.

Seal the brick pavers with masonry sealant. This can be applied with a paint roller or garden sprayer; it is okay if the sealant leaks into the joints or the wood. Allow the sealant to dry overnight before walking on the pavers.