A patio is an easy way to expand the living space and increase your home’s curb appeal, but adding a patio to your home does require some planning, preparation and skill. If you have the budget and time, there are many ways to construct this feature, but if you’re looking for a quick way to add space, consider building a brick or stone patio. Building a patio out of bricks is not as hard as you think. It takes a little time, but it’s worth the effort to create your own unique patio space. The only tool needed to build a brick patio is a hammer. You’ll want to make sure it has a long handle so you don’t hurt yourself when you pound the nails in. You can purchase pre-knocked down bricks at your local home improvement store or they will sometimes deliver if you live close by.
If you’re looking to make a DIY outdoor projects with a lot of aesthetic impact, it’s hard to go wrong with a brick patio. Whether you’re looking for an elaborate design or something simple and functional, building your own brick patio can be one of the most rewarding projects you tackle in your backyard. Here’s everything you need to know about installing a brick patio:
Lay the foundation.
- Check the ground for level. Start by making sure that you have a flat surface to work with, otherwise your patio might not be level as it should be and will look like an eyesore.
- Check for drainage and stability. You don’t want water pooling up underneath your patio, so make sure the area you’re about to work on is stable enough for construction or has good drainage already in place to handle any excess rainwater runoff from above-ground sources (such as gutters).
- Check for frost heave and frost lines—this is where melting snow collects during winter months, causing a sudden rise in soil levels at certain points throughout different seasons depending on how much sun hits each spot every day (or night).
- Make sure there aren’t any rocks or roots under where you want to lay down pavers; these may cause problems later when trying to install them onto such uneven surfaces without proper preparation beforehand first!
- Trees are another thing worth thinking about before getting started building anything; shrubs tend not be too much of an issue since they’re typically planted right near sidewalks anyway which means they won’t block out sunlight coming into contact with other parts of lawns either.
Install the support beams.
Before you begin building your patio, build the support beams. These will be used to ensure that the bricks are supported and don’t fall over in a strong wind. The best way to do this is by using bricklayers’ string (you can find it at most hardware stores). Simply tie the string between two posts and then use it as a guide for laying down your bricks properly.
Bricks should be laid down about every two feet apart from one another, but they should also be spaced approximately one foot away from the edge of your patio and about one foot away from its center. If you want to make things easier on yourself, use any type of brick as long as it’s laid down properly: in a grid pattern, spiral pattern or checkered pattern.
Begin laying down the bricks.
The second step is to lay the bricks. You will need a level to make sure that each row of bricks is straight, and you can use different patterns to create interesting shapes on your patio. For example, if you want an easy-to-clean surface for your patio, consider using a pattern that’s laid diagonally or in squares where each tile has four corners touching other tiles rather than just two edges as with traditional brick patterns. You’ll also want to consider how much traffic your patio will receive, how long it will take from start to finish (the more complicated the pattern is, the longer it may take), whether or not you can afford this project (although many people find that adding an outdoor living space can increase their home’s value), and whether or not you’ll require help with construction (many homeowners find they have more time than they thought they did).
Layer in mortar to hold the bricks.
Once you have a layer of mortar spread on the ground, use your level to make sure that the bricks you’re laying are straight. Do this by holding the level at eye-level and making sure that the top of each brick touches both sides of the level.
If there are any gaps between bricks or if they aren’t perfectly flush with one another, mix more mortar in a bucket and gently tamp down any loose pieces with a brick trowel until everything is snugly fitted together. Be careful not to bang too hard against them; otherwise you could chip off pieces or crack them.
When all of your bricks are in place and stable, clean up any excess mortar with water so that it doesn’t dry onto anything else and cause problems later on down the road.
Complete the project by finishing the bricks.
Complete the project by finishing the bricks.
Use a spade to level and smooth the mortar in all areas, including along the edges of your patio. Use a brush to clean off any excess mortar from around each brick as well as along any joints between bricks where you’ve put in extra mortar.
A brick patio can be a great addition to your home.
A brick patio can be a great addition to your home! Brick patios are durable and can withstand outside elements. They’re also very versatile, allowing you to use them for many different purposes.
- Sitting and relaxing
- Cooking
- Entertaining
- Growing plants
- Final words
Now that you have a basic understanding of how to make your dream patio, what are you waiting for? You can start by setting up a budget so that you don’t run out of money or material before completing the project. Once everything is set and ready, start building your patio.
