Can a do-it-yourselfer construct a new brick driveway, patio or walk?

A new brick pavement can be constructed on asphalt, concrete, or compacted gravel as a base. For asphalt and concrete bases, the base material should be installed according to standard construction procedure and then the brick can be constructed on top. For a compacted aggregate base, the earth below should be well compacted. All brick pavements should have the earth graded to a minimum slope of a quarter inch per foot for drainage. Then four inches of crushed stone, followed by a layer of geotextile material, if desired, and on inch sand setting bed of coarse concrete sand is laid. An edging of heavy plastic or metal should be installed at the perimeter of the brick. The brick should then be laid on top of the sand and cut as needed at the edging. Mason’s sand should then be spread on the top and in between the brick and consolidated with a plate compactor if necessary. Mason’s sand should be added until all the joints are filled and any excess sand should be removed. For pavements ...  more

A new brick pavement can be constructed on asphalt, concrete, or compacted gravel as a base. For asphalt and concrete bases, the base material should be installed according to standard construction procedure and then the brick can be constructed on top. (See previous question.) For a compacted aggregate base, the earth below should be well compacted. All brick pavements should have the earth graded to a minimum slope of a quarter-inch per foot for drainage. Then four-inches of crushed stone, followed by a layer of geotextile material, if desired, and one inch sand setting bed of coarse concrete sand is laid. An edging of heavy plastic or metal should be installed at the perimeter of the brick. The brick should then be laid on top of the sand and cut as needed at the edging. Mason's sand should then be spread on the top and in between the brick and consolidated with a plate compactor if necessary. Mason's sand should be added until all the joints are filled and any excess sand should ...