Get matched with top stone and gravel pros in O Neill, NE

No, you shouldn’t lay bricks directly on dirt. While it might seem like a shortcut, it leads to a patio that shifts, sinks, and becomes a maintenance headache. Dirt expands, contracts, and erodes—none of which mix well with long-term stability. To build something that lasts, excavate the topsoil, compact a layer of crushed gravel, and add a coarse sand-setting bed. This layered base gives your bricks proper support, allows drainage, and helps block weeds from creeping through. Cutting corners here just means you’ll spend more time—and money—repairing your brick patio later.

No, you don’t need to soak the brick before cutting it by hand. In fact, cutting a wet brick can make it harder to see your score lines and may cause the chisel to slip. Soaking is sometimes used with power tools to reduce dust, but for hand-cutting, it’s best to work with dry bricks for better control and visibility.

No, using a power sander on brick is not recommended because the force of the sander can destroy brick's fragile outer layer. Even using sandpaper on brick is discouraged because of the damage its abrasiveness can cause.

Yes! Hot glue is an excellent—and temporary—way to spread holiday cheer with Christmas lights without damaging your brick exterior.