Instructions for Brick Driveways

Contact your local utility company to determine where underground cables are located prior to any excavation. Excavate at least 1 foot beyond the area to be paved and try not to disturb the sub-base. Remove the soil to a depth of approximately 13 inches to allow for the stone base, sand and the thickness of the bricks.

Place gravel or crushed stone in the excavated cavity in a layer measuring approximately 10 inches in 3-inch increments. After every 3 inches compact with a vibrating plate tamper to create a flat stone base, giving special attention to the edges. The stone base is your foundation and needs to be firmly compacted and stable. A sign of a properly compacted foundation is when no footprints are visible when walking on the stone base.

Frame the edges of the driveway using edging material such as rigid plastic or wood. Place one stake per 2 to 3 feet of edging and approximately 8 inches deep. Trench deep enough to allow for the edging to be flush with the top of the brick pavers when the driveway is finished.

Place sand on top of the crushed stone and use a straight 2-by-4-inch board to level the sand bed to a layer of 1 inch thick. Keep the sand moist by covering with plastic sheeting or a tarp and hose down as necessary. The sand bed is compacted during the installation of the brick pavers.

Lay bricks upon the sand bed in a pre-determined pattern working from edge to edge. Use a string line across the brick pavers to maintain alignment. Some paver bricks may need to be cut with a masonry saw when reaching the end of the project, but make sure that the cut bricks are no smaller than 2 inches in width.

Spread a final coating of dry sand over the stop of the brick pavers to fill in the joints. Using the plate tamper, check to make sure all joints are completely filled to the surface of the brick pavers. Filling the joints with sand creates stability and gives strength to the brick paver driveway. Sweep away any excess sand and the project is complete.