PATHS - BRICK PAVING

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Paving can look really smart around a property and help to successfully utilise the the outdoor space.  Brick pavers are often used to create pathways and driveways around a property, and this can look great if done successfully.  However, give some thought to creating beds and features in the paving to avoid a bland mass of paving.

The advantage of brick paving is that they can unify the garden with any brick structure surrounding it such as buildings or walls.  Bricks used fro paving need to be frost proof.  Hard, dense bricks will reduce water absorption within the brick and therefore not crumble when a frost occurs.  Concrete brick pavers work well, as do engineering bricks.  The bricks can be arranged to form different patterns such as herringbone, basket weave, stretcher bond or running bond.

When laying a path you need to ensure you have a sufficient base onto which to lay the surface.  Brick paths require a bed of compacted hardcore to a depth of  7.5 cm.  Once you have marked out your path, dig out the soil to a depth which will to accommodate both your hardcore and brick.  Ensure your path is level in order to allow rain water to run off the surface. You will need to allow a fall in gradient of 1:60 so set one edge slightly lower than the other.

Use timber that is 5 cm thick to create wooden edging into which to lay your path.  This will help prevent the bricks creeping sideways and provide a level to which the height of the bricks will be set. The depth of the timber should match the depth of the brick.  Drive square wooden pegs into the ground and secure the wooden boards to the inside of the pegs to make a wooden frame.  Ensure your wooden panels are level by checking levels with a spirit level.

Screed with a semi-dry 1:4 layer of mortar across the width of the path and lay the bricks onto this, leaving them slightly proud to a height of 1 cm above the edging board.  Place an edging board across the path and tap the bricks into place until they are flush with edging. Brush the joints with a dry 1:4 mortar mix.

For related articles click onto:
Drainage
Feeding plants
Garden sheds
Grass maintenance - laying turf
Grass maintenance - sowing a lawn from seed
History of the lawn
How to build a cold frame
How to make compost
Manuring
Weeding
Lawn care
Laying concrete