Brick Walkway

More from Fix It Up!
Filed under: Bricks, Walkways, How To, Materials and Supplies

If you want to renovate your backyard, consider installing a brick walkway and patio.

If high traffic has worn out some areas in your yard, improve their appearance (and cut down on muddy feet) with a paved walkway and patio. Although you could use concrete, consider brick pavers for a more attractive look.

Materials and Tools:

spray paint or chalk
measuring tape
brick
sand
mortar (sand and cement)
wet saw
wooden stakes
masonry string
plate tamp (use a power tamp if the project is large)
hoe
mortar trowel
wheelbarrow
shovel
landscaping fabric and stakes
scissors
level
rubber mallet
hammer
push broom
garden hose
garden rake
safety glasses
work gloves

Steps:

You may want to consult a landscaping professional when choosing a layout for your walkway. Don't site it too close to large trees because you could damage their root systems when digging. Also, large tree roots could disturb your walkway in the future. Mark the outline of the walkway and patio border with spray paint or chalk. At minimum, the walkway should be wide enough for two people to walk side by side.
Dig out the area to a depth of about 4". This will give you enough room for the sand and bricks.

Figure A

If the area for the walkway is large or the soil is hard or full of roots, you may want to hire a contractor and mini-loader to excavate the area. Clearing large areas with a shovel can be very difficult and time-consuming.

Figure B

Lay landscaping fabric throughout the area (figure B) to prevent weeds from coming up between the bricks. Cut the fabric with scissors, and attach it with stakes.

Mix mortar in a clean wheelbarrow. You can use mortar mix, but you'll save money by mixing your own using sand and cement. Use a hoe to mix the sand and cement thoroughly. Continue mixing, and add small amounts of water until the mortar reaches the consistency of thick oatmeal. Mix only as much mortar as you think you can use in 30 minutes or so.

Begin creating the border of the walkway, starting with the straight sections. Drive wooden stakes at the beginning and ending points of all straight sections, and stretch masonry string between the stakes for a reference. The string should be at least 1/2" higher than the thickness of one brick to allow for the additional thickness of the mortar (mortar thickness can vary, but it should always be at least 1/2").

Figure C

Lay out a line of mortar along the border of the walkway, and make a groove down the center of the mortar with the point of your trowel. This will provide a more level, firm setting for the bricks.

Place the bricks end-to-end along the line. For a seamless look, don't use mortar between the bricks. Use a level to make sure each brick is level from side to side.

Figure G

For smooth curves between the straight sections, you'll need to cut the bricks. Butt a brick against the last brick of the straight section, and angle it appropriately. Measure the gap between the straight brick and the angled brick.

Figure H

Transfer the measurement to the other side of the brick, and draw a diagonal line to the opposite corner. Use a wet saw (with a water-cooled diamond-impregnated blade to cut through brick, masonry and tile) to cut along the line. The cut brick will then line up smoothly with the last brick of the straight run. Repeat the process for all the remaining bricks in the curved sections.

Figure I

Allow the mortar to set for about 15 minutes, then remove any excess mortar from inside the walk area so it won't interfere with the placement of the bricks. Allow the mortar to harden overnight. The mortar will be hard enough to work with after drying overnight, but it usually takes about three days to cure completely. Try not to damage the uncured mortar when you begin laying the bricks for the walkway.

Place a layer of sand in the walkway bed, and level it with a 1" by 6" board — a process known as screeding--then tamp it firm. Add as many layers of sand as necessary to make the bricks flush with the border. If you're working in loose soil, you may want to put down a bed of gravel before you start adding sand.

Figure J

Herringbone

Figure K

Basket Weave

Figure L

Jack-on-Jack

Figure M

Begin placing the bricks, starting in the center of the walkway and working out. Use a rubber mallet or a hammer and a block of wood to set the bricks firmly in place. Occasionally check the bricks with a straightedge or a string to make sure they're flush with one another. You'll probably need to cut some of the bricks as you get near the borders.

Figure N

When all of the bricks are in place, fill in around the outside of the borders with dirt. Then spread a thin layer of sand over the walkway, and use a push broom to work the sand into the gaps between bricks.
Soak the walkway with a gentle spray of water to help the sand settle into the gaps. Repeat the process until the sand fills all the gaps.

Figure O

Be aware of drainage issues: if your walkway slopes toward the house, you'll need to backfill the area at the end of the slope, tamp it thoroughly, and install a drainage grate and a flexible drainpipe to route water away from your house.