Paviors

[luckystrike]

I have recently bought a pallet of pavior bricks thinking that it will be really easy to lay a bit of a patio in the garden.

They are only about 6 inches x 4 inches, so does that make them easier or harder to lay?

How do I go about doing it myself?  Do I need to lay kerbs around the sides?

[Clanad]

Curbs aren't needed... at your local DIY store you'll find lengths of paver "edging".  It's all weather plastic shaped like a "T".  The cross bar of the "T" goes down and there are "spikes" that are pounded into the out side edge.  The pavers butt up against the inside edge.  Hope this is not a confucing word picture.

The most important thing is to excavate the area down at least four inches... six to eight is even better.  Once this is done the area is back filled with damp sand... the type used for children's sand boxes.  Following that and intiail leveling, the sand should be compacted with a rental compactor... you can do this by had with a home made tamper... but it's easier with the compactor.  The next step is final leveling.  Laying a paver against the  previously layed edging material, use a 2X4 to level the sand between them.  Then begin laying the pavers.  For the size you describe, a basketweave or herringbone pattern works best, but you can determine the pattern you prefer.  A carpenter's level (at least 24 inches long) should be kept nearby to constantly check the level of your progress.  I find that a good size rubber mallet is indispensable for tapping the pavers into final level.

You'll find small "bumps" on each side of the pavers to keep them an even distance apart.  When your completely finished laying them, use fine sand "broomed" into the cracks that are left, until all of them are filled.  Wet them down to settle them.  In fact, I use the aforementioned  compactor to run over them to assure tight fit.  After a few months, I spray them with with a waterproofing compound to maintain the color.

A brief description... you'll be the expert when finished.

Luck!