Concrete is durable, long-lasting, and incredibly versatile when it comes to where you can install it, however, concrete lacks the visual appeal that some individuals desire for their space. If you have a space with concrete, can you put brick over top of it?
Yes, you can lay brick over concrete, as concrete provides a sturdy and level base for the bricks. The key is to ensure the concrete surface is clean, free of cracks, and level. Before starting, clean the concrete surface thoroughly and repair any significant cracks or uneven areas. Then, apply a layer of mortar over the concrete, and start laying the bricks, securing them in place with additional mortar between each brick.
Proper preparation of the concrete surface is crucial for a successful installation. If the concrete is extremely smooth, it might be necessary to etch the surface to help the mortar adhere better. Etching can be done using a concrete acid etch solution. Also, check the level of the concrete surface. If there are minor dips, these can be corrected with the mortar used to set the bricks. However, significant unevenness might require concrete leveling prior to brick installation.
Another important aspect is to consider the drainage. Since concrete is impermeable, laying bricks directly on it without proper drainage can lead to water accumulation and potential damage. To avoid this, ensure there’s a slight slope for water runoff or incorporate a drainage system, especially in outdoor installations. It’s also advisable to use a layer of landscape fabric between the concrete and mortar to help manage moisture.
Concrete can be used in just about any space for just about any purpose, but concrete is not always the most aesthetically pleasing material. Luckily, brick is just about as versitilte, but this material offers individuals the character they are wanting for a space without having to sacrifice design. If you have an area with a concrete wall, floor, or even countertop, continue reading to find how you can install brick right over and what you will need to do so.
Can You Put Brick Over Concrete?
When it comes to doing projects on your own, or even hiring someone to help see the process through, one of the first thoughts that comes to people’s minds is how they can complete the task in the most efficient way while also coming out with the most reliable results. When it comes to installing floors, many may be inclined to tear out or rip up the existing floor before putting down a new one, but when it comes to putting brick over concrete, this isn’t necessary.
If you have a concrete floor, wall, countertop, or another concrete area, you can easily install brick over top of it. Concrete actually works as a very supportive base beneath the brick and can be used as your brick’s foundation through the use of mortar or coarse sand as the setting bed.
Especially when it comes to brick being installed as a floor, walkway, or patio outdoors, one of the biggest complaints and issues from individuals is that the brick begins to move over time. This happens due to rain eroding around and beneath the brick and the natural movement of the earth beneath it coupled with the traffic above it. Therefore, when a sound concrete base is already present, this can prevent the brick from moving or separating over time.
Should You Put Brick Over Concrete
Knowing you can put brick over concrete, the next question begs whether or not you should go through with this type of installation or if the concrete should be taken up prior to laying brick? Putting down any hard surface in your home or outside is typically a rather permanent move, therefore, you want to be sure you are making the right choice by installing brick over any concrete surface.
As long as the concrete space is sound with no major structural issues, such as large bulging cracks or problems with its levelness, there is no reason that you should not install brick over concrete. In fact, if the concrete is sound, it offers a more sound base beneath the brick.
No one wants to have to endure any more trouble than they have to when it comes to big projects like installing brick over concrete, therefore, it would be reasonable to want to avoid having to take out large sections of concrete to simply lay down brick. As long as the concrete has been repaired of any damages and is sound, putting brick over it is something that can be done, and should be done to avoid excess work that is frankly, quite unnecessary.
How To Install Brick Over Concrete
Installing brick can be a daunting task, as the base for your brick needs to be sound and level, which can be difficult to achieve when you are working with the ground of the Earth. However, if you have a concrete slab either as an outside patio, a wall, or within an indoor area, you should be able to begin installing with ease. To start the installation, you need to clean the surface of the concrete and ensure no debris is present.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on July 4, 2021.
Once clean, begin by laying bricks around the concrete slab’s outer edges, referred to as soldier rows. Once these outer edge rows have been laid, pick up one brick at the beginning of one row and apply four small applications of masonry adhesive to the bottom. Gently place the brick back down and only slightly press it onto the surface of the concrete so that you can allow for moisture expansion when needed then continue with all other soldier rows.
You will then adapt pieces of felt to fit inside the soldier rows and lay the felt horizontally, avoiding overlapping seams. Inside the brick frame, place a vertical second layer and then begin the start of your pattern at the most visible corner of the frame you just laid.. Leave a ⅛-inch gap on all four sides of each individual brick while completing the same process of installing the brick here as with the soldier rows.
Once you have all of the brick installed, you will then spread concrete sand on the paver surface and sweep the sand into the cracks you left between each brick. This will help to stabilize the brick and prevent it from moving over time. Once you have the sand in between every crack, you can then sweep any remaining sand off of the surface and gently spray the area with water to clean the brick off, but to also compact the sand a bit more to finish.
Tools Needed To Install Brick Over Concrete
The tools needed for this project are going to vary depending on the area you are laying the brick, the type of brick design you go with, and the thickness of the brick you install. Regardless, there are going to be a few tools needed to make sure this installation process not only goes smoothly, but is done well. Therefore, before getting started, make sure you have everything you need to create the perfect space.
The tools needed to install brick over concrete include a caulk gun, chalk line, plate compactor (a rental, if necessary for your space), a scrub brush with a handle, shovel, tape measure, broom, utility knife, and a wheelbarrow. These will be the tools you need on hand to lay brick over concrete.
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on July 4, 2021.
Once you have all of your tools, you also need to consider the materials you will need for the project, as this list is just as important as your tool list. The materials you need to install brick over concrete include landscape fabric or felt, pavers, construction adhesive, sand, and of course, your brick. Combined with your tools, having these items prepped and on hand before starting will make your project much more efficient due to the lack of interruptions.