Sand and Brick Patio

• 1). Pry up loose or cracked bricks using a flat bar. Be careful not to damage whole bricks.
  
  
• 2). Place the bricks to the side in the same configuration as they are removed. Replace heavily damaged bricks with a new brick, keeping the formation intact. This prevents confusion in the brick layout.
  
  
• 3). Dig out any softened clay or mud underneath the bricks and fill in the depression with limestone to prevent further sinking. Add an inch of sand on top of the limestone.
  
  
• 4). Place the bricks back into place and tap them down so that they are level using a rubber mallet.
  
  
• 5). Place a long level over the surface to make sure all of the bricks are level. If not, remove individual bricks that are too high and remove some of the sand and limestone until they are level, or pound them down further using the rubber mallet.
  
  
• 6). Spread sand over the surface after a hard rain and sweep it between the cracks using a broom to fill in the area between the bricks.
  
  

Mortared Patio

• 1). Clean the mortar between the bricks using a pressure washer to see what the original color looks like. Go to your local hardware store or a sand and gravel pit to find a match for your mortar.
  
  
• 2). Mix one part sand to one part Portland cement.
  
  
• 3). Fill a grout bag with your Portland cement and sand mixture, making sure it is wet enough so that it doesn't clog the bag.
  
  
• 4). Guide the tip of the mortar bag along the brick joint that is missing the grout. Fill so that it is 1/4 inch above the level of the surrounding brick.
  
  
• 5). Allow the mortar to dry to a gray color and use a triangular trowel to scrape off the excess. Cover the area with plastic and keep the grout moist for three days so that it doesn't crack as it dries.