There are many ways to enjoy a beautiful evening outside. One of the best ways is to sit around an outdoor fire with friends and family, roast marshmallows, and make s’mores. However, most fire pits you can buy at home improvement stores are either too small or too expensive. This blog post will show you how to build your backyard fire pit to help you save money and have a big enough fire that the whole family can gather around. It is a relatively easy project that can be completed in just a few hours!
Contents
What You Need
The first thing you need to do is gather the materials. For this project, you will need:
- Concrete pavers (the number will depend on the size of your desired fire pit)
- Gravel
- Sand
- Tamp
- Fire bricks (optional)
- Fire-resistant mortar (optional)
- Lava rock or another type of stone for decoration
- Shovel
- Wheelbarrow
- Tape measure
- Level
- Garden hose
- String
- Spray paint (optional)
Once you have all of your materials, it is time to start building!
Step 1: Mark Out The Area
The first step is to mark out the area where you want your fire pit. When choosing the area, it is essential to consider a few things. First, you will want to ensure that the fire pit is not too close to your house or any other structures. It is also important to choose an area that does not have a lot of trees or bushes nearby. Once you have found the perfect spot, use spray paint or string to mark out a circle about three to four feet in diameter.
Step 2: Excavate And Level The Area
Once the area is marked, it is time to start excavating. First, use a shovel to remove all dirt from within the marked circle. Be sure to get down as deep as possible so that the concrete pavers will be stable. Once the hole is dug, use a level to ensure that the surface is even. If not, use dirt from elsewhere in the yard to fill in any low spots.
Step 3: Prepare The Area
If you are using pavers, use a tamp to level the ground once the area is cleared. If you are using fire bricks, this is the time to lay them out in the desired shape of your pit. Once you have them laid out, use a level to make sure they are all even. If not, adjust as needed. Then use mortar (if necessary) to hold them in place. Once the area is prepared, it is time to start pouring the concrete!
Step 4: Pour The Concrete
Pouring concrete is the most time-consuming step, but it is also the easiest. First, mix and pour concrete into the hole until it is about two inches from the top. Then, use a shovel to spread it around, and be sure to get it into all of the nooks and crannies. Once the concrete is in place, use a garden hose to wet it down. This will help it to set properly.
Step 5: Let The Concrete Set
Once the concrete is wet, it is time to let it set. This will usually take about 24 hours. Again, be sure to keep people and animals away from the area until the concrete has cured completely. An excellent way to ensure the concrete has been set is to poke it with a stick. If the stick does not leave an impression, it is ready for the next step!
Step 6: Add Gravel And Sand
After the concrete has been set, it is time to add gravel and sand. This will help to drainage and prevent water from collecting on the surface of the fire pit. First, add a layer of gravel that is about two inches deep. You can do this by dumping it in and using a shovel to spread it around. Next, add a layer of sand that is about the same depth. Be sure to pack it down so that it is nice and level. It’s best to use your level for this step!
Step 7: Add The Pavers
Now it is time to add the pavers! Start by adding a layer of pavers that are about two inches deep. Then, add another layer of pavers on top. Make sure that the joints between the pavers are tight so that water will not seep through. If necessary, use mortar to hold the pavers in place. Using mortar is a good idea if you are not using fire bricks, as they will help keep the pavers in place.
Step 8: Add Lava Rock or Another Type of Stone
If you want, you can add lava rock or another type of stone for decoration at this point. Then, spread it around so that it covers the surface of the fire pit. You can also use this opportunity to add any other type of decoration that you want, such as plants or trees. Doing this is a great way to add personal touches to your new backyard fire pit!
Conclusion
Building a backyard fire pit is a relatively easy project that can be completed in just a few hours. With the right supplies and some basic knowledge, you can have your very own fire pit ready to light up on those chilly evenings. So get out there and start gathering your materials; you’ll be enjoying fresh-cooked s’mores before you know it! If you are more of a visual learner, there are many great instructional videos on YouTube that follow similar methods!
