Supplies for Bricks and Pavers

Make sure you have the right paver and brick supplies to get the job done

If you're in the business of installing bricks and pavers, you'll need the right supplies and equipment. Having a creative eye is half the battle, but you also must be able to execute the plan you and your customer decide on. You can do this by making sure you're prepared for each and every job.

Being prepared means having a few basic supplies to use. Sure, every job is different, but there are several tools you'll need on a regular basis, no matter who your client is or what kind of brick pavers he or she wants installed. Consider the following:

1. Use tools and equipment to dig out a trench to prepare for brick placement. You won't have to dig as deeply if you use thin brick pavers.

2. Take the time to install edging to hold the pavers in place. You may be able to pick this up from the brick supply company you use.

3. Make sure you trim the bricks and pavers to fit into the design your client wants. You can do this with a masonry saw.

 

Prepare for installing brick pavers with tools for trenching

Digging out the trench to make room for the pavers is the most labor-intensive part of the process. You do have a few options here. You can use a sod cutter to rip up the grass, dirt and roots in the area. You can use a good shovel or trencher to dig everything up and create nice edges. You can use a power edger to cut straight lines along the sides of the trench. If you use a combination of these things, you'll move along much more quickly than if you tried to do it all by hand.
Try: Choose one of the sod cutters at Commercial Grounds Care to speed up your jobs. Lowe's carries a wide variety of shovels for excavating and trench digging, and with stores all across the United States, it is easily accessible. ECHO has a couple of professional edgers to choose from. If you want to make sure you're excavating properly, check out the how-to guide from Grounds Maintenance.

Install edging to hold paver stones in place

It's wise to use something to keep the pavers in place on each side. You can use two-by-fours, but it's better to use special edging that will support the bricks on the side as well as the bottom. These are installed much like traditional landscape edging: You hold it in place and drive a stake through it into the earth. They're well worth the trouble if you want your job to look professional for years to come.
Try: Consider using the metal edging at Dreamscape Outdoor Living & Garden, which is made specifically for holding brick pavers in place. You can find similar products at Valley View Industries as well as a handy installation guide.

Invest in a brick saw so you can cut brick pavers to the right size

Masonry saws can cost you a pretty penny. But if you want to run your business properly, you're going to have to have some way of cutting bricks and pavers. End pieces will all have to be trimmed to make nice, straight lines. These saws are essential for making sure you give the customer what he or she is looking for.
Try: Check out the different saws and helpful info at Master Wholesale. You'll find quite a few Husqvarna-Partner saws at mytoolstore.com.

 

• Additional supplies for bricks and pavers include gravel and sand for leveling the area to be worked on, a compactor (rolling or flat) to tamp down the gravel and sand, string for mapping out patterns and a screed board for ensuring that you're working with a smooth surface.
• If you've found a vendor that sells wholesale brick pavers, you may be able to purchase supplies from the company as well. It's ideal to find a company that can act as a one-stop shop for your ongoing supply needs (i.e., pick up string, gravel and sand when you go pick up the pavers).

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