Pavers Frequently Asked Questions

What type of base should I use for brick paving?

A flexible base consists of compacted crushed stone, gravel or coarse sand. Only mortarless brick paving is suitable for this type of base. A semi rigid base consists of asphalt concrete, commonly referred to as asphalt. Once again, only mortarless brick paving is suitable over this type of base. A rigid base is defined as a reinforced or unreinforced concrete slab on grade. Mortarless or mortared brick paving may be placed over this type of base.

Flexible bases include crushed stone, gravel or coarse sand. Applications for flexible bases range from residential patios to city streets. Flexible paving systems are typically the most economical to install since less labor and fewer materials are involved. A flexible paving system allows easier repairs to utilities located beneath the pavement. Flexible pavements also allow for water to percolate down through the system instead of running off on the surface. The thickness of each layer in a flexible pavement depends upon the imposed loads and the properties of each layer. A pavement subjected to heavy vehicular traffic requires a thicker base than a pavement subjected to pedestrian traffic.

Mortared brick paving can be used for any type of pedestrian or vehicular traffic in both interior and exterior applications. This type of assembly is especially well suited for heavy vehicular areas such as streets or parking lots and where surface drainage is necessary.

Can brick pavers be installed over an existing concrete or asphalt driveway, patio or walk?

Brick paving can be installed over existing concrete or asphalt as long as it is in reasonable good shape. To ensure an adequate foundation for the brick, the existing concrete slab or asphalt should be inspected and repaired as necessary. Any cracks, chips, holes, ruts or spalls should be repaired in order to achieve a flat surface.

The brick can be installed either with or without mortar. If no mortar is used, a half inch setting bed of coarse sand should be laid and compacted. An edging of metal or heavy duty plastic should be placed around the perimeter of the brick work and set to just below the height of finished brick surface. Pavers can then be placed in the desired pattern on top of the sand. The bricks should be placed as close to each other as possible. It may be necessary to cut some of the brick near the edging. Once the brick are all in place, install mason’s sand between the brick and over the surface. Sweep away excess surface sand and the brick pavement is ready for traffic.

If mortar is used, the concrete slab should be prepared in the same manner as above. A half inch mortar setting bed should then be applied upon which the bricks are set with mortar placed between the pavers. Only a small area should receive the setting bed at a time in order to ensure that it does not set prior to laying the brick. Mortared brickwork should not be laid on asphalt.

Can a do-it-yourselfer construct a new brick driveway, patio, or walk?

A new brick pavement can be constructed on asphalt, concrete, or compacted gravel as a base. For asphalt and concrete bases, the base material should be installed according to standard construction procedure and then the brick can be constructed on top.

For a compacted aggregate base, the earth below should be well compacted. All brick pavements should have the earth graded to a minimum slope of a quarter inch per foot for drainage. Then four inches of crushed stone, followed by a layer of geotextile material, if desired, and on inch sand setting bed of coarse concrete sand is laid. An edging of heavy plastic or metal should be installed at the perimeter of the brick. The brick should then be laid on top of the sand and cut as needed at the edging. Mason’s sand should then be spread on the top and in between the brick and consolidated with a plate compactor if necessary. Mason’s sand should be added until all the joints are filled and any excess sand should be removed.

For pavements such as driveways, a six to eight inch gravel base should be installed and compacted with a plate compactor. Then a geotextile material should be installed and a one inch setting bed of coarse sand laid. Placing edging, brick and mason’s sand between the joints should then proceed as outlined above. Heavier duty pavements can be laid in the same manner, but the base is thicker. Adequate preparation of the earth before installation and compaction of the entire assembly after installation with a plate compactor are essential to a well constructed brick pavement.