DIY Network

Decorative Touches and Hardscapes: Driveway Brick Installation From "Home IQ" episode DHIQ-122

Figure A

Why Does Brad Want to Install the Driveway Himself?

Now that the base of the driveway is on grade, it's time for our homeowner (Brad Oberg) to begin the brick installation, but first, why would he want to do this?

"It's a lot of work but will save a lot of money, too," Brad said. "And it's the fun stuff to do. I like working on the house and this is a nice project." His wife, Lynn, added: "It's against Brad's religion to have other people do projects at his house." Even growing up Brad and his father did everything when it came to around-the-house projects. It's a fierce Swedish pride, Lynn says. "For you it's cooking a great meal and trying a recipe for the first time and having it succeed, and everyone one of yours does," Brad said to Lynn, "and in the house there were clearly things that were production that I couldn't get in the way of [such as framing or hanging wallboard] ? but there are certain solutions that you just need to get the feel for and the stone in the garage driveway area (figure A -- Brad and Lynn on the left and Brad working on the driveway on the right) was really a place where I felt I needed to feel it and adapt to it -- and I'm going to live with it for a lot of years."

Note: And don't forget that our homeowners went over budget on the lighting and cabinets, so this was a way to save some money as well.

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	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Getting Started

• The plan (figure B) involved having the walkway run through the driveway (see figure H in segment 1 of this episode), which will this walkway-driveway combination one of the most unique around.

• The first step was to go purchase the stone (brick pavers) and once they're delivered get started (during the Thanksgiving weekend, by the way) with the installation.

  Note: By using paver stone brick (figure C), Brad was informed by John Lehnhardt, a sales representative for the company that supplied the paver stones (see Resources, below, for more information on the product), that he would have to consider using some polymeric sand and sealers along the rows and some plastic edging to secure the edge of the walkway.

• Once the stones arrived, Brad started by placing some thin PVC tubing down and pouring more crushed limestone (figure D) to create a level surface by using a 2 x 6.

• After the surface is leveled, the next step is to put down the bricks. Brad's eldest daughter is home from college and the pair makes quick work at this point in the installation process. In fact, by mid-day they have nearly a quarter of the driveway done! Over the next few days our homeowner recruits the help of his youngest daughter's boyfriend.

• Along the sides of the driveway Brad does, indeed, place plastic edging (figure E) to protect the sides of the driveway.

  Note: Unfortunately, due to Brad's heavy work schedule and extremely poor weather (remember, this home is being built near Pittsburgh), the driveway was not finished during the Thanksgiving break, and it was another four months before he could get back to the task at hand. During the lag in time the weather and heavy foot traffic from the subcontractors took its toll, and when Brad did startup again, he had to rent a tamper to re-level the base. There is some good news, however; years ago the Oberg's opened their home to a foreign-exchange student who just happened to be back in town -- and he was more than happy to pitch in and help Brad complete the project.

• With most of the heavy work done, it's time to "refine" the driveway by cutting the stones to fit the incomplete edges (figure F). It literally took hundreds of cut bricks to fill the gaps.

In the next segment the deck installation begins, along with pouring the cement for the patio and porch.

RESOURCES :

Trex® Decking
Trex Company, Inc.
Website: www.trex.com

Interlocking Paving Stones & Versa-Lok® Retaining Wall Systems
R.I. Lampus Co.
Website: www.lampus.com

Cement Work
Nawrocki Concrete
205 South Tower Rd.
Fombell, PA 16123
Phone: 412-860-7072
E-mail: camp528@aol.com

Masonry Work
Klobuchar Masonry
Phone: 724-443-7122

Land Surveying
Sperdute Land Surveyors
108 Deer Lane
Harmony, PA 16037
Phone: 724-452-4362
Fax: 724-452-9357
E-mail: pasurvey@zbzoom.net

GUESTS :

Brad and Lynn Oberg
Homeowners
Company: IBACOS (Brad)
Title: Co-Founder/Chief Technology Officer
Website: www.ibacos.com

Greg Allen
Site Supervisor
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: buildm@zoominternet.net
Website: hendolhursthomes.com

Jim Sperdute
Surveyor / Project Manager
Sperdute Land Surveyors
108 Deer Lane
Harmony, PA 16037
Phone: 724-452-4362
Fax: 724-452-9357
E-mail: pasurvey@zbzoomnet

John Lehnhardt
Sales Representative
R.I. Lampus Company
816 R.I. Lampus Ave.
PO Box 167
Springdale, PA 15144
Phone: 412-362-3800
Fax: 724-274-4033
E-mail: rilampus@lampus.com
Website: www.lampus.com

Scott Stout
Sales Representative
Trex Company
Toll-Free: 800-BUY-TREX (800-289-8739)
E-mail: SStout@trex.com
Website: www.trex.com