How to Pave a Yard With Bricks

Spread powdered chalk over the ground where you want to install paving bricks. Measure the length and width of the area to determine the number of paver bricks you need. Multiply both the measurements to give you the area in square feet. Add 5 to 10 percent to the figure to account for damaged or broken bricks.

Insert parallel stakes spaced every 1 foot into the ground over the powdered chalk lines to serve as a makeshift grid when you extend string around them. The stakes mark the slope decline as you dig. Ideally, slope the brick pavers 1/8- to 1/4-inch per foot of area to prevent water from reaching your house or nearby structure.

Excavate the area within the boundary line. Determine the desired height of the pavers when installed along with their thickness and depth of the sand bedding to decide the depth of the excavation. Ideally a depth of 7 to 9 inches is sufficient for areas with only foot traffic.

Compact the soil using a 5 hp compactor. Go over the excavation several times in a circular motion.

Spread an even, 2- to 3-inch-thick layer of crushed stone over the excavation. Compact the stone with the compactor until it is firm. Spread an identical layer and repeat the process of compacting. Lightly spray the layers of stones with water before compacting to reduce friction.

Spread a 1- to 1 1/2-inch-thick layer of sand over the stone to provide sand bedding for the paver bricks. Level the surface of sand with a length of lumber.

Place paver bricks over the sand bedding, starting at a corner of the yard. Space adjacent paver bricks 1/8-inch from one another, in your desired pattern. Use a chisel and hammer to cut any brick to size so it fits around the edges.

Edge the pavers to keep them in place. Insert a length of plastic edging restraint over the base, firmly against the bricks along the edge. Pound 10-inch long spikes into the equally spaced holes provided in the restraint.

Spread fine-grained sand over the surface of the bricks. The sand fills any gaps between adjacent bricks.

Sweep the paver bricks to remove any dirt and debris before sealing them with a sand-binding sealant. The sealant increases the life and durability of the bricks.