How To Level A Brick Patio

A well-leveled brick patio is a beautiful and functional addition to any home. It can provide a space for entertaining, relaxing, or simply enjoying the outdoors. However, if the patio is not properly leveled, it can be a tripping hazard and can also lead to water damage.

Leveling a brick patio is not as difficult as it may seem. It can be done by following a few simple steps.

Step 1: Prepare the Patio

The first step is to prepare the patio for leveling. This involves removing any furniture or other items from the patio, and then sweeping or blowing away any dirt or debris.

Step 2: Set the Level

Once the patio is clean, you need to set the level. This can be done using a laser level or a water level. A laser level is more accurate, but a water level is less expensive.

To set the level using a laser level, place the laser level on one end of the patio and turn it on. Adjust the laser level until the beam is level. Then, move the laser level to the other end of the patio and adjust it until the beam is parallel to the first beam.

To set the level using a water level, fill the water level with water and place it on one end of the patio. Mark the water level on the patio. Then, move the water level to the other end of the patio and mark the water level again. The difference between the two marks is the amount that the patio needs to be leveled.

Step 3: Level the Patio

Once the level is set, you can begin leveling the patio. Start by removing any loose bricks. Then, use a rubber mallet to tap down any bricks that are higher than the desired level.

If you need to raise the level of any bricks, you can use a sand mix. Fill the voids under the bricks with the sand mix and tamp it down firmly.

Step 4: Compact the Soil

Once the bricks are level, you need to compact the soil underneath the patio. This will help to prevent the patio from settling in the future.

To compact the soil, you can use a hand tamper or a plate compactor. A hand tamper is less expensive, but a plate compactor is more efficient.

To compact the soil using a hand tamper, simply lift the tamper up and down on the soil. Be sure to overlap the strokes to ensure that the soil is compacted evenly.

To compact the soil using a plate compactor, simply walk back and forth over the soil with the plate compactor running.

Step 5: Finish the Patio

Once the soil is compacted, you can finish the patio by applying a sealant. This will help to protect the patio from the elements and make it more durable.

To apply the sealant, simply pour it onto the patio and spread it out with a brush or roller. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific sealant that you are using.

Your brick patio is now leveled and ready to enjoy!