Adding Brick Veneer to a Concrete Walkway
As an architect, I’m always suprised at how larger home improvement projects seem to frighten home owners. Yet this project is easily accomplished by most people, even if you have never worked with masonry. Keep in mind, however, that most home improvement projects fail if you are impatient, so take your time and read the instructions thoroughly.
Before beginning this project, decide on the pattern you wish to use. Herringbone patterns are popular for walkways, but that does not mean that you must use it. Also consider if you plan on having a border. Draw out a portion of your design and figure out how you will address corners and other irregularities in the walkway.
Next be sure you have the equipment and materials to do the job. You will need not only the brick veneer, but grout, brick sealant, and thin set adhesive. You will also need a power washer, wet saw, and other basic masonry tools to finish the work.
Begin by power washing the concrete thoroughly. It is important that the concrete walkway is as clean as possible so the thin set adheres properly. As always, follow all of the manufacturers instructions before using this piece of equipment; a power washer can injure someone who does not know how to use it.
When applying your chosen pattern, always start from the center of the concrete and work your way to the edges. Mark the center of the walkway in several locations and use a chalkline to create a mark that bisects the walkway to act as a guide. Also make marks to orient your design. If you are doing a herringbone pattern, for example, you should mark several 45-degree angles on the concrete to orient the veneer.
Lay all of the brick veneer with half-inch spacers. When you reach the outer edges of your walkway, you will most likely have to trim the brick before laying it. Use a wet saw to accomplish this task, and carefully measure and cut each piece of brick veneer. Lay out the whole concrete walkway before starting to use the adhesive in case you must make any adjustments.
Once the veneer has been cut and you know your pattern, chose the small section of concrete walkway closest to the house and work your way out to adhere the veneer to the walkway. Start by spreading thin set adhesive on the area with a trowel and using a half-inch spacer to give you a guide while setting the brick. Each brick should be placed with a slight turning motion into the adhesive to ensure that the veneer is settled.
Use spacers to make sure that your grout line will be even and continue with your design. Take the time to lay each brick in its correct location and check to make sure that it is flush with the spacers. You may be surprised how one brick that is improperly laid can skew the whole design.
Once all of the veneer has been attached with the adhesive, seal the bricks. Be sure to use an outdoor sealant made specifically for bricks. You should be able to apply it with a paint roller, just as you would with paint. Allow the sealant to dry for the recommended length of time before proceeding. Do not be concerned if the sealant is cloudy when you are applying it, it should dry clear.
After the sealant is dry, all that remains is to apply the grout. Begin by using a generous amount on a grout flout. Work with a small section, and spread it into all the crevices. Wait two or three minutes for the grout to harden slightly, then remove it off of the face of the bricks and scrape any additional grout. Use a damp sponge to clean the face of each brick before proceeding to the next section.
You should continue these steps until all of the grout has been applied. Allow the grout to dry thoroughly and try to prevent your new walkway from getting wet. You should also avoid walking on it for 48 hours until the grout has fully cured.
