How To Install A Permeable Patio
Find out how to keep pollution out of groundwater, lakes, and streams by building a permeable paver.
-
You will need
-
Step 1:
-
Size Up Your Bricks
-
The number of bricks you'll need depends, of course, on the size of your patio. Measure the height of your bricks. You'll need to put down a layer of sand to work as a natural filter underneath those bricks to filter the water that drains through. A few inches of sand will provide an adequate filter for your permeable patio. If your patio is along side of your house, use a pencil and level to draw a line where you want the bottom of the brick to be.
-
Step 2:
-
Drive In the Stakes
-
You will need to set up guides on the other side of your house or existing structure to make sure your permeable patio is level. Set your two by fours at the desired width of your patio and drive in your metal stakes. Use wood screws and a power drill to secure them at each end of the two by four. Don't forget to use your level every few feet! Another important thing to keep in mind is water drainage. While you want to make sure the boards stay level, you also want to make sure they fall one inch for every four feet of board. This will insure any water will drain downhill and away from your house.
-
Step 3:
-
Bring In The Sand
-
Grab your wheelbarrow and start hauling in your sand. Dry, unwashed construction sand works the best because it's easier to spread. You want to use an aluminum construction lute to spread the sand and do the rough grading. This will give you a solid base of sand that will act as a filter and purify water before it seeps into the ground.
-
Step 4:
-
Make A Screed Board
-
Most of the grading can be done with your construction lute, but you want to make sure you keep the sand level while maintaining an even slope for drainage. You will need to cut yourself a screed board out of a two by four. You don't need precise measurements here, just make sure your board extends beyond the width of your patio for maximum control while you screed.
-
Step 5:
-
You Need To Screed
-
Take your freshly cut screed board and put one end on top of the boards and the other on the pencil mark on the side of your house or existing structure. Applying just enough pressure to push away the excess sand, follow the pencil mark and drag the screed board over the surface of the sand until it is level. You may have to do this a few times to smooth out any rough spots or move around any objects in your way.
-
Step 6:
-
Yank Your Stakes
-
With your sand leveled off, you're almost ready to start dropping in the bricks. Unscrew the stakes from the two by fours and pull the boards from the edge of the sand. There may be some piles of sand where your boards were, so you may need to get your screed board out and do some touch up work around the edges. If your patio is a high-traffic area you may want to put a plastic liner on the edge to keep the last brick from rolling over. Otherwise, woodchips or other landscaping material will work just fine.
-
Step 7:
-
Cut A Brick
-
One of the tricks to a great looking permeable brick patio is the design of your layout. You can create a great look by cutting your bricks in half and using the half bricks throughout your design to offset the end of the bricks and create a pattern. Use your tape measure, carpenter's square and pencil and measure all the way around your brick. Hold the brick to a stationary surface using a bar clamp, take your four inch angle grinder and make the cut. Make sure to wear your safety glasses.
When you have cut through the first half of the brick, remove it from the bar clamp, flip it over and cut the other side. After ripping through both sides, the brick should be weak enough to snap it off. You can use the angle grinder to smooth out any rough edges.
-
Step 8:
-
Drop In Your Bricks
-
Start setting in your bricks by the corner of your house and move out from there. You may find you need to throw a little sand underneath to level out the top of your bricks. No problem. Lay down the first row of bricks and use your rubber mallet to pound the bricks together and pound into the sand to the desired height. This will ensure a nice, tight fit and will be even more secure once you bring in your sand. As you move forward, you also want to extend outward so the length and width of the bricks moves at the same pace.
-
Step 9:
-
Sweep In The Sand
-
Take your broom and sweep in a generous amount of sand over the bricks. Pull the sand over the bricks several times to maximize the amount of sand in the cracks. When you notice the sand has filled the cracks, sweep away the excess and move on. This is where dry sand is key. If your sand is too damp, it may not fall into the cracks and it might stick to the tops of the bricks.