How to Build a Raised Patio
Lots of homeowners are thinking about raised patio construction, as it is an attractive addition for their backyard. Some of them may be afraid of possible building difficulty, however, it is not as complicated. The process of making a level patio is similar to retaining wall construction. It is enough to have do-it-yourself skills and a huge desire to create!
Step 1
Start out by erecting a retaining wall that would act as the border for the patio and also make space for a place where users can add fill material for their patio base. Make some indications for the boundaries of your patio using a stake. Using a string, a tape measure, and a line level, indicate accurately the planned height of your finished wall on the stakes. Get to know the number or amount of bricks, courses, and mortar you need to finish building up the wall.
Dig up a trench 6 inches deep and 12-inch wide so you can lay the first row of bricks. Ensure that you compact the soil in the trench tightly. When that is done, add crush gravel, up to 2 inches to the trench to keep the ground level. Use a string line to make out guide so you can lay your first row of bricks.
Step 2
Set the landscape fabric so it aligns in the trench for the bricks to be placed on top. Lay the bricks sided by side in a leveled manner so you can follow the line closely. You can continue this step with all the other rows. As you place the courses, add mortar or gravel between the fabric and behind the brick. This prevents soil from washing through the cracks that can be found on the wall.
Step 3
Next, lay the pavers by making a base for your patio which can take up to 4 inches of the previously crushed gravel we applied earlier and 1 inch of coarse pavers. Add dirt to fill up the retaining wall area to where you wouldn’t have any more space left. Use a rake or a shovel to level the area then hit it firmly to compact the soil. As your gravel to the tab and spread it so you get 4 inches in depth.
Begin forming a 90-degree angle by starting at one corner where the two sides of the retaining wall jam. Lay your 1” PVC pipes 6 feet parallel to each other on the ground base. This lays the foundation of where you will lay your sand and pavers.
Step 4
On this step, you can include the sand and fill it up to a 1+” in depth. When that is done, use a 2” x 4” plank to drag the sand to make it lie leveled. You can just start at one end then pull slowly and steadily towards where you are standing. This gives the sand a leveled result with the pipe, top, and surface undisturbed.
Step 5
Start laying the first paver by keeping it above an inch from the sand and pushing it so that it hits the retaining wall with pressure resulting in the pavers sliding down the sides.
Ps. Keep applying pressure to the bricks while you slowly lower the paver.
Duplicate the steps using more.
Step 6
You can lay the pavers from the corner also using the previous guide when setting the stones. Do not disrupt or drag your stones into place when setting your stones. Also, consider using a rubber mallet to hit them slightly to set them in place. You can undergo this process little by little setting the sand as you scrape it using a pipe or a plank and laying the brick paver confidently until you finish an entire space.
Step 7
Finally, run over your pavers using a plate compactor. Spread about ⅛ inch of sand on the finished pavers then sweep it to fill the cracks.
Clean up the work area by sweeping away excess when you have finished laying your bricks.
