A Complete Perth Brick Paving Guide: Approvals, Base, Laying & Sealing

Paving using bricks is a practical and aesthetically pleasing option for houses in Perth. Bricks can be used in driveways, patios, walkways and outdoor entertaining spaces. However, successful brick paving depends on thorough preparation.

Perth is situated on the Swan Coastal Plain, where there are often sandy soils with very rapid surface water drainage. The city enjoys a hot-summer Mediterranean climate characterised by hot and dry summers and cool and wet winters. Around 80% of rain is experienced between May and October. This makes preparation, drainage and edge restraint of utmost importance.

In this blog, BODA Bricklaying Perth shares their experienced paving team’s insights into every key stage of brick paving, including council approvals, base preparation, paver installation, sealing, ongoing maintenance, and calculating the number of pavers required for your project.

Why Proper Brick Paving Matters in Perth

Correct preparation is necessary in order to ensure that the brickyard paving lasts for a long time in Perth. While sandy soil is excellent at draining moisture, it will shift when it has not been correctly compacted or stabilised.

The Swan Coastal Plain is characterised by sandy soil that has good permeability for the movement of water in the soil. This makes a stable subgrade and well-compacted base particularly important.

The seasonal weather in Perth also causes paving to undergo constant transformations. The dry summer months are followed by wetter winter months, which may reveal defects in the paving construction. Poor preparation may result in paving sinking down, becoming uneven, cracks appearing, and weeds growing.

Paving brick driveways require special attention since cars create much more pressure on paving compared to people walking on a garden path or a patio. But if installed properly, brick paving can become a reliable outdoor surface for many years.

Do You Need Council Approval Before Brick Paving in Perth?

Many homeowners ask the question to us: Do I need council approvals for brick paving in Perth? In Perth, paving requirements are determined by local council bylaws and the WA Building Act 2011. For simple paving on your own property, council approval may not be necessary. If the paving involves any verge, crossover, footpath, street trees, or other public property, permission might be needed. Whether you need council approvals for brick paving will vary across regions.

You may need to check requirements for:

• Driveway crossover permits: Required by some councils when constructing, modifying or relocating a crossover.
• Verge paving permissions: Paving a council-managed verge can be subject to area, material and landscaping requirements.
• Footpaths: Public footpaths must not be altered without the relevant permission.
• Street trees: Work around street trees may have additional protection requirements.
• Council assets: Drainage structures, kerbs and other infrastructure must not be damaged or obstructed.

Choosing the Right Brick Pavers for Your Perth Project

The best brick pavers will depend on the look you want, traffic, and where the paving is to be done. 

The following comparison can help you narrow down your options.

Paver type	Appearance	Durability	Best applications
Clay brick pavers	Traditional and natural	High	Heritage homes, paths and patios
Concrete brick pavers	Wide range of colours and textures	High	Driveways, patios and paths
Permeable pavers	Modern and functional	Good	Areas where drainage is a priority

 

How to Prepare the Base for Brick Paving in Perth

Proper base preparation for brick laying becomes the most crucial component in making the paving job a success. In the case of the sandy soils in Perth, proper compaction and choice of base materials become necessary to avoid any further movement or settlement.

The construction design needs to be according to the site conditions and the type of soil available. The Council specifications for trafficable paving often demand heavily compacted base layers. For instance, the construction manual of the City of Perth demands a 150mm compacted base made up of limestone for their footpaths.

Here are the common steps followed:

Step 1: Mark and Excavate

Mark out the paving area before excavating it. Dig out all the vegetation, organic materials, grass roots, and any loose soil from the site.

The depth of excavation is determined by the kind of paving work you will do. Usually, a driveway needs a deeper structural build-up than a walkway since it needs to bear vehicle loads.

Step 2: Compact the Subgrade

Ensure that the ground is well-compacted before starting the brick installation. Compaction is especially critical in sandy soil, where loose materials might be displaced by load. Even where the pavers themselves are strong, inadequate compaction could cause settlement.

Step 3: Install the Road Base

Place a suitable crushed limestone or road base on top of the compacted subgrade.

It is better to place the base in layers and compact it correctly rather than laying a thick layer and compacting it only on its surface. It is common practice in Perth councils to have the pavement made of compacted limestone or other approved base materials.

The following is a general rule about what type of base will be required based on the intended use of the area:

• Walkways: A lighter base may be suitable when only pedestrians use it.
• Patios: A stronger base is preferred, especially if there are furniture items and traffic involved.
• Driveways: A strong compacted base is needed because of traffic loads.

In trafficable areas, make sure you refer to the council or engineering specifications.

Step 4: Add Bedding Sand

Lay a suitable washed or well-graded sand over the compacted base. The sand is screeded to form a level bedding layer.

The sand used should be loose and uncompacted before the laying of the pavers. WA paving standards usually lay down a 20-30 mm thick bedding sand layer.

Read: How much does paving cost per m2 in Perth

Step-by-Step Brick Paving Installation Process

Care must be taken while laying bricks and pavers to ensure that the final surface is smooth and the joints are stable. The procedure entails laying the first layer, keeping consistent joints, and ensuring that the final surface is compacted.

Here are the major steps in the process:

Lay the First Course

Begin from a level and reliable base point for the brick paving process. You need the best brick paving contractors in Perth to align the first course properly, as any deviation in placement will be exaggerated when paving.

Maintain Consistent Joint Spacing

Place pavement bricks with equal spaces between them. Do not try to lay pavers too close together since there is space for the jointing compound in between.

Cut Edge Pavers

Measure and trim the pavers accurately at the edges and other fixed points such as drains. Try to avoid narrow slivers for paving edging where possible.

Install Edge Restraints

Experienced professionals offering floor pavement services in Perth use edge restraints to keep the pavement from spreading. They are especially significant when used on driveways and any place that experiences a lot of traffic.

Spread Jointing Sand

Jointing sand needs to be spread over the pavement, filling the spaces between pavers.

Final Plate Compaction

Once the joints have been filled, Perth bricklaying contractors will compact the paving with a plate compactor suitable for the surface. This helps settle the pavers and jointing material.

Some popular designs of paved surfaces include herringbone, stretcher bond, and basket weave. Herringbone is common for heavy-traffic paving because of the interlocking nature of the design.

Should You Seal Brick Pavers?

Brick paver sealing is one option that may come in handy if you would like your bricks to have added protection and easier upkeep. But sealed brick pavers are not a necessity for all projects.

An appropriate sealant can protect against stains, be easy to clean and protect against weathering effects. Furthermore, depending on the sealant you choose, it may improve the look of the surface.

Before brick sealing, you should give the pavers and the joints time to settle and make sure that they are clean and dry. You should adhere to the guidelines of the sealant manufacturer and not seal them right away after installing.

Re-sealing will be necessary every few years based on various factors, like the product, exposure, foot traffic and vehicle use.

How to Calculate the Number of Pavers You Need

The formula to calculate the number of pavers needed is simple: measure the area of paving, calculate the area covered by one piece of paver, and then allow for wastage. This formula works great for square or rectangular patios, walkways, and driveways.

The steps for calculation are as follows:

Step 1: Measure the Area

Measure the length and width of the area in meters. In case your area has an irregular shape, split it into smaller rectangles and calculate the areas.

Step 2: Calculate the Area

Use this formula:

Area = Length × Width

For example, a 5 m × 8 m area is 40 m².

Step 3: Calculate Paver Coverage

A 200 × 100 mm paver covers approximately 0.02 m². This means you need about 50 pavers per m².

For a 40 m² area:

40 × 50 = 2,000 pavers

Use the following table as a quick reference before adding wastage.

Project size	Approximate pavers needed, 200 × 100 mm
10 m²	500
20 m²	1,000
30 m²	1,500
40 m²	2,000
50 m²	2,500

 

Step 4: Add Wastage

Extra pavers should be ordered as some will inevitably be cut up, broken, or used incorrectly. While 5% extra pavers may suffice for a basic design, 10% would be sufficient for complex designs involving multiple angles.

Read: Concrete vs pavers in Perth: Cost, Durability & Design Guide

Common Brick Paving Mistakes to Avoid

Most paving failures stem from preparation and installation issues rather than the quality of the pavers. Avoiding a few common mistakes can significantly improve the finished result.

Before starting work, check the following:

• Excavating too little material
• Installing a base that is too thin
• Failing to compact the subgrade properly
• Using inadequate edge restraints
• Leaving an uneven bedding sand layer
• Failing to fill joints correctly
• Sealing the paving too soon
• Ignoring drainage and finished surface levels

Drainage deserves particular attention in Perth. Despite the fast absorption of water by sandy soils, the site conditions may vary, and some regions of the Swan Coastal Plain have shallow groundwater.

Brick Paving Maintenance Tips

Maintenance of outdoor paving is relatively easy, provided that the surface and the joints are frequently inspected. Small issues are also much easier to fix before they develop into larger areas of movement.

A simple maintenance routine should include:

• Sweep the surface regularly to remove dirt and debris.
• Remove weeds from joints as soon as they appear.
• Add jointing sand whenever gaps occur.
• Clean any oil or stains immediately.
• Apply a fresh layer of sealant, as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Look for any sign of movement or settlement after heavy rainfall.
• Inspect edges and restraints for signs of spreading.

If individual pavers become uneven, they can often be lifted and the underlying bedding material corrected without replacing the entire paved area.

FAQs- Frequenty Asked Questions

1. Do I need council approval for brick paving in Perth?
Council approval requirements depend on the project, location and scope of work. It’s best to check with your local council before starting or discuss with us today!

2. How do you prepare the base for brick paving in Perth?
The process generally involves excavation, subgrade compaction, installing a compacted crushed-rock base, adding bedding sand and ensuring suitable drainage and levels.

3. What is the correct process for laying brick pavers?
Brick pavers are laid over the prepared bedding layer, with consistent joints, accurately cut edge pieces and secure edge restraints before jointing sand and final compaction.

4. Do brick pavers need to be sealed in Perth?
Sealing can help protect pavers from staining, UV exposure and weathering while maintaining their appearance. Re-sealing is generally required periodically depending on the product and conditions.

5. How much does brick paving cost in Perth?
The cost depends on the paver type, project size, site preparation, access and installation complexity. A professional site assessment is the best way to obtain an accurate project-specific quote.

6. How long does brick paving take to complete?
Small paving projects can often take around 1–2 days, while larger driveways and patios may take 3–5 days, depending on preparation, weather and project complexity.

7. How can I prevent brick paving from sinking or becoming uneven?
Proper excavation, thorough subgrade and base compaction, suitable drainage, correct bedding sand and properly installed edge restraints are essential for a stable paved surface.

8. Can existing brick paving be repaired instead of replaced?
Yes. Individual damaged or displaced pavers can often be lifted, repaired or replaced without removing the entire paved area, depending on the condition of the underlying base.

Conclusion

Brick paving can be both durable and attractive for driveways, patios and paths in Perth. The trick is not just selecting the right pavers. The subgrade, base, bedding, drainage system, edge restraints and method of laying also play their role.

If you decide to do paving work in Perth, take into account the soil quality and precipitation peculiarities of the region. Make sure to consult with your local council when dealing with verges, crossovers and other public areas. If you take care of your paving, it will stay in place for decades to come.