How to Build a DIY Patio Like a Pro

DIY Paver Patio: Everything You Need To Know To Build One Yourself Blow off excess sand with a leaf blower, so there's no sand residue on top of your bricks. Make sure you are committed to the location of your patio, and then mark it off with stakes and string. Use a line level to ensure the string running between stakes is straight. It’s important to choose the best material for your pavers based on your lifestyle and budgetary constraints when learning how to build a patio. Before you begin digging and leveling the ground, ensure there are no buried plumbing, electrical, or septic lines or cables you’ll be disrupting. Pick a material for the patio's surface, keeping in mind alternatives such as concrete, pavers, or other materials. With proper prep https://animoto.com/play/gLnGsZ01qVqS0Hp1WPiLtg and installation, pavers can last 20 to 25 years or more. Chip the cut edge of the brick with a brick hammer so it blends with the rough edges of the used brick. Wet the gravel and compact it with the plate compactor. Then compact the center, first working one direction, then a second pass at a right angle to this. Begin site preparation by removing the sod in the patio area.

DIY Patio Ideas

If this wasn’t enough to convince you to opt for pavers, they are more durable, last longer, and are easy to switch around for a design refresh. Once you have marked out the area, it's time to start excavating. You will need to dig several inches into the ground, removing all weeds, grass, roots, and topsoil. The depth of your excavation will depend on whether you want your patio to be level with the ground or raised. For a raised patio, dig 4 inches (about 10 cm) deep, and for a level patio, dig 8 inches (20.3 cm) deep. Make sure you also dig down past the topsoil to reach a level that is stable and well-compacted.

Flatten and Level the Area

When you’re done, you’ll have a solid, flat base that slopes slightly for drainage and is ready for the sand bed, stones and bricks. After compacting the soil with the tamper and before you start filling the hole, roll out the landscape fabric, allowing it to extend at least 6 in. When you’ve found a suitable spot, make a rough sketch showing trees, shrubs and gardens, then take measurements. My space isn’t a small space, so laying my own pavers was clearly the best way to go. When I sat down and added up the math for this particular concrete paver project, it just didn’t make sense economically to make my own. Here’s what you need to know to build a paver patio.

Accurate leveling takes effort, but the payoff is a sturdy and steady base during the installation process.A simple square paver patio is the easiest long-lasting patio to install.They will also add to the time and labor required, so make sure you plan.Set the top of the pipes high enough so that when the bricks are set on the sand bed, they’ll protrude above the stones about 3/8 in.

If you find that as you get toward the top of the base layer that your gravel is too large, use the bow rake to pull the larger pieces out. If you pile on all 4″ at once, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to compact it properly. It’s best to lay half of the gravel (2″) and compact it first, then to add the second layer (2″) and then compact that. If you are using larger pavers and installing the patio yourself, you may want to take weight into consideration. Measure the thickness of a few stones to get an average and compare this with the thickness of the bricks you’re using. Then adjust the depth of the sand bed to compensate for the difference in thickness. Your goal is to get the stones and brick even on the top. Coarse washed sand is spread over the gravel in a 1-in. Layer to form a setting bed for the stone and brick, and later to fill the cracks between the bricks and stone. And because of our “boxed-in” site conditions, I wasn’t able to place my stakes and leveling strings outside of the space, as you should be able to. In a previous article, I discussed buying vs. DIY stepping stones, where I laid out the pros and cons of each. Most places do require a permit to build a covered patio. Building codes are usually required for any new construction as well as modifications. Retractable awnings provide instant shade or quickly roll up when you don’t need them. Some of these can be added on after- like an above-ground pool and a seating area. However, it makes more sense to incorporate steps and railing into your original blueprints. Here’s your guide on how to build a patio – and additions like steps and a railing.