Page 7 2023 Spring Home and Garden LINCOLN DAILY NEWS April/May 2023 create a hazard. You also need to remove any existing materials that may be in place, such as older pathways from previous construction. This video also suggests raking the area after digging up the path, stamping it out, and doing a few tests. This is a very useful step. It’s better to find any issues with leveling or materials now than be finished and realize the path is off kilter. This video shows exactly that; they had to dig a little deeper to get the path exactly right. The video then shows how to tamp the soil down, so it is flat and level. You can rent a compactor for this step, but it may not be necessary if the area is small. In this instance, renting a compactor would be “overkill for a path this size.” Then do the same thing with gravel. The video mentions three bags of gravel for a small path, and they do not mention it specifically, but it doesn’t hurt to buy more gravel than you think you may need, just in case. LeBoutillier mentions that the tamper “didn’t do a whole lot, but it did help settle the gravel down a little.” The next step is to pour sand over the gravel and begin to screed it. Screeding is the process of smoothing out sand, usually with a two-byfour. The video recommends using PVC pipe to assist in flattening out the sand as a sort of frame. Boards, as shown here, may be a little warped. The latter can be used, but there is a risk. The next step is laying the brick for the path. LeBoutillier demonstrates that it’s not so easy to lay brick perfectly straight. In fact, this video shows that they had to pull up bricks and straighten out the path, and dig a little more dirt, to make it work. This is not something to worry about. Again, it’s easy for a path to start curving a little, and easy to fix as well. They suggest having a second set of eyes to act as a guide or using string to help keep everything moving in the right direction. “It was a little frustrating, and it didn’t make sense how we were getting off…I assumed that if the bricks were butted up to the concrete and the concrete was straight, that would make the path straight. Not true,” says LeBoutillier. While laying bricks, make sure you take into account any patterns you want to make. In this video, they leave a little space to create an alternating pattern, or a “running bond” pattern. You may need to cut bricks to finish your pattern layout and have even edges. The video shows you can use an angle grinder, or even a chop saw if you have the right kind of blade. Once the bricks are in place, install the edging material. Plastic edging helps to give a path a clean, finished look. This video also shows that you can cover edging with dirt or mulch to create a more seamless appearance and provide a space for plants to grow. Edging is held in the ground with metal stakes. The next step is to sweep sand into the cracks to fill in gaps and make the path look solid. The sand bonds “like concrete.” Once that is finished, it’s easy to sweep away the excess, or use a blower. The last step is to wash out the path with a hose to clean it a little more. Overall, a project like this one can be done by two people over the course of an afternoon. The people in this video had some experience Continued --
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