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How to Set Brick Pavers

Setting brick pavers yourself is not too difficult if you choose the right installation method. The easiest way to set brick pavers is to install them the "dry" way, which means you set the pavers on a bed of crushed gravel and sand. This method is much less time-consuming and easier than setting pavers with mortar. Using the dry installation method, you can set brick pavers over the course of a weekend, depending on the size of your project, and save a lot of money as well.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • 4 wood posts
  • String
  • Shovel
  • Mesh fabric
  • 4 two-by-fours
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Saw
  • Crushed gravel
  • Hand tamper or plate compactor
  • Flat board
  • Level
  • Sand
  • Rake
  • Broom
  • Brick pavers
  • Rubber mallet
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the dimension of your patio. Hammer a wood post into the ground at each corner, and tie a string along the outside of the wood posts to mark off your excavation area.

    • 2

      Dig a six-inch deep hole in the ground inside the area you marked off. Save any pieces of sod for patching areas of your lawn that need it.

    • 3

      Lay the mesh fabric down and cover the entire ground. This will prevent weeds from sprouting up through the brick pavers.

    • 4

      Measure and saw two two-by-fours to match the length of the area you excavated and two two-by-fours to match the width of the area you excavated. The idea here is that each of the two-by-fours should fit along each of the inner walls to form a border that will hold your brick pavers in place.

    • 5

      Place each two-by-four along the inner wall, and attach the two-by-fours to each other using a hammer and nails.

    • 6

      Add a three-inch layer of crushed gravel, covering the entire bottom of the excavation area.

    • 7

      Use the hand tamper or plate compactor to compact the gravel down tightly.

    • 8

      Put a flat piece of wood on top of the gravel, and set a level on top of the wood. The slope should run away from your home, to ensure proper drainage and prevent flooding.

    • 9

      Pour a two-inch layer of sand on top of the gravel, and smooth out the sand with a rake into an even layer.

    • 10

      Set the brick pavers one at a time by starting in any corner. Set each paver, and tap the paver into place gently with a rubber mallet. You should leave no more than one-eighth inch of space between the brick pavers.

    • 11

      Pour sand into the cracks between the pavers. Use a broom to spread the sand around thoroughly.

    • 12

      Use the hand tamper or plate compactor to set the brick pavers in place tightly.