The use of Bricks or Pavers to create a walkway or patio area complements a house in a method that is unmatched. In addition, setting up a Brick or Paver sidewalk does not necessarily need a pro.
The key to setting up a Brick or Paver Walkway is to very first effectively prepare the area where the bricks/pavers are to be installed. In addition, string lines must be strung on each side of the pathway.
When the location has been dug, 3/4" gravel stone need to be laid in and tamped down tightly. 2" of sand, or stone dust should be spread out over the gravel. Once again the sand/stone dust must be tamped down. Stone dust is preferred. The height in between the tamped down sand and the stringline must equate to the thickness of the brick or paver.
Now that you have a steady base, put a 1" pipeline or ledger board the length of the walkway on either side of the pathway. Using a flatedge, e.g. a 2"x4" board, slide it over the 2 lengths of the pipe/ledger board. In doing this you will create a level area to lay the bricks/pavers.
Now put on the level sand/stone dust strips of plastic brick borders. Install an operate on both sides of the prepared area. These strips will read more serve as your walkway border and help to keep the stability and shape of the pathway. You can get these plastic strip borders at many house enhancement stores. The strips must be anchored here down with 12" galvinized nails. You should sink these nails into the ground and through the strips every foot.
You can then start to lay the bricks/pavers once this is done. There are many patterns you can lay. I particularly like the Herring Bone pattern. The secret to laying the bricks/pavers is to ensure that they interlock with each other. Always stagger adjacent rows of bricks by 1/2 of a brick to interlock them. This will again assist preserve the integrity of the sidewalk.
Inevitably bricks/pavers will need to be cut or divided when constructing the sidewalk. To in fact cut/split the brick/paver, lay it in a bed of sand and location the sculpt at a 75 degree angle over the spot where you want to break the brick. If your walkway has curves you will need to buy/rent a wetsaw.
After setting up the bricks, develop up the outside edges with additional sand, and then shovel in the topsoil and pack down securely.
Spread stone dust over the new sidewalk and sweep into the cracks. This will finish the interlocking of the bricks and help to eliminate any weed development.
In addition, setting up a Brick or Paver walkway does not always require a pro. The secret to installing a Brick or Paver Walkway is to very first appropriately prepare the area where the bricks/pavers are to be set up. Now that you have a steady base, put a 1" pipeline or ledger board the length of the sidewalk on either side of the walkway. These strips will act as your sidewalk border and assistance to preserve the integrity and shape of the pathway. Undoubtedly bricks/pavers will require to be cut or split when constructing the sidewalk.