Pave the Way to Your New Brick Patio
Need a new project? Get outside and build a new patio or
sidewalk, even if you already have one.
Many patios and sidewalks are made of poured
concrete. If you 'd rather have something that doesn't look worn and
dirty - and doesn't need to be power washed each spring -
consider laying new cement pavers directly over the old slab.
"There are a number of advantages to doing
it this way," says Laura Schwind, a registered landscape architect for
Pine Hall Brick, the largest supplier of clay pavers in the United States. "The biggest is that the best base is already n place, and you instantly improve the
appearance of your property without having to dig up your old concrete and haul
it away.".
Concrete that's smooth and even, start by
choosing the type of clay paver and a pattern. There are "thinner" pavers (1 3/8-inch) for these applications,
and that some patterns, like herringbone, will require more cuts than others.
Pittsburgh omni stone pavers look nice.
Next, lay a "soldier course," which means positioning a line of bricks perpendicular to the edge of the concrete to form the
outside frame of your project. The secret is to use four dots of masonry
adhesive on each brick, each about the size of a penny, which allows rainwater
to pass underneath.
On the inside of the soldier course, cut pieces of roofing
felt to put a single layer inside the frame covering the concrete, and don't
overlap the felt edges. Then lay a second layer of felt at right angle
over the top of the first layer.
Starting at one corner, begin positioning the brick in place, leaving a 1/8-inch gap between the pavers for sand.
Finish by sweeping concrete
sand between the joints until they are full.
"It's time and effort," says Schwind. "But
it's worth it. When you're done, you'll have the beginnings of a new outdoor
room where you'll want to spend some time relaxing.".
