Brick Paver Installation

Measure the desired location of your patio, walkway or driveway, and mark the building area with marking paint.

Excavate the area where you will install your brick pavers. For walkways, ensure your excavation area is 6 inches in depth, and for driveways, ensure it is 12 inches in depth. For walkways, excavate 3 inches wider than your brick paver area on each side. For driveways, excavate 6 inches wider on each side than the area you are paving.

Add a 3-inch layer of gravel into the excavation area. Slope the gravel away from your house so it drains properly.

Compact the gravel using your plate compactor. You can also use a hand tamper for this step, but it will take you much longer.

Add a 1-inch bed of sand on top of the compacted gravel base. Place 1-inch screed pipes on the edges of each side of the gravel. Level the sand evenly by dragging a 2-by-4 across the screed pipes. Once you have leveled the sand, remove the screed rails.

Place the pavers directly on bed of sand, starting in any corner. Set the pavers flush against each other, and tap the pavers securely into place with the rubber mallet.

Install edging to prevent the brick pavers from moving and shifting over time. Line your edging material along the edge of your two longest sides, and secure the edging by tapping metal stakes through the slots and into the ground.

Run the plate compactor over the brick pavers to set them in place.

Sweep jointing sand into the joints between the pavers. This type of sand helps set and lock the pavers together without using messy mortar. Sweep any excess sand off the surface of your brick pavers, and spray a mist of water onto the joints so they set properly. Allow 12 hours for the sand to dry and set.