If you’re planning to install a fire pit on your property, you should take several essential steps. These steps will help ensure the safety of your family and guests.
The first step is to ensure you’ve located a safe area for the fire pit on your property. It should be a place that’s at least 15 feet away from other homes, wood sheds and flammable materials.
Select the Area
First and foremost, your fire pit must be placed in a safe location on your property. It means you should ensure it is not near anything that could catch on fire, such as bushes, trees, or sheds.
You also want to keep it out of windy areas because strong winds can blow the fire around and make it difficult to put it out.
You should also check with local building and zoning codes to see whether there are any restrictions on fire pits in your area. For example, some states do not allow fire pits in residential areas.
Another consideration is the fuel type of your fire pit. You should consider avera fire pit by dekko.ca for your family’s safety when choosing the type of fire pit you would like to install.
Typically, the base of a fire pit wall sits underground in a hole lined with gravel for drainage and protection from frost heaves in winter. It creates a level surface that the stones can rest on for support.
Prepare the Surface
The surface on which your fire pit will be installed is essential to a safe fire pit. The surface should be sturdy enough to support the weight of the fire pit and its contents and resist flames. The surface should also provide adequate drainage so the fire does not become a pool of water after rain.
Ideally, the surface should be hard, smooth, concrete, stone, or pavers. If not, a layer of gravel or sand should be added to the ground before placing the fire pit.
When laying out the walls of your pit, use large concrete blocks. Some are interlocking and stacked on top of each other to give you extra strength. To make the walls easier to build, dry-lay a ring of blocks around the fire pit hole, adjusting their placement as necessary with a level.
You’ll need to keep the height of the blocks consistent, so place a layer of sand beneath the low blocks and tap them down with a rubber mallet to ensure they are all the same height. Repeat this process with each subsequent row of blocks, allowing the sand to dry between each layer.
Level the Surface
Before installing a fire pit, you must level the surface. The ground can shift over time and cause the fire pit to move out of place.
The first step in levelling the surface is to dig a hole large enough for the size of your fire pit. A depth of 8 inches is recommended.
Next, you’ll need to fill the base with gravel or sand. It will help protect the area from frost heaves during winter and provide drainage.
Whether you’re using gravel, sand, lava rocks, or paving stones for your fire pit, selecting materials that will stand up to heat is essential. For example, you’ll want to avoid pea gravel and compressed concrete blocks, which can burn or explode when hot from a fire.
You’ll also need to select a material that will support the weight of the fire pit, which is usually around 24 inches deep. It will prevent the fire pit from shifting or tipping over time.
Compact the Surface
Compacting the area is one of the most essential steps in a successful fire pit installation. An adequately compacted surface will prevent the buildup of debris that can lead to a disastrous fire. The best way to do this is with sand and gravel. Once the surface is prepped and sanded, you can lay down your material of choice.
There are many types of fire pits on the market, but the most popular styles are rectangular and round. They are available in various materials, including concrete, pavers and bricks. To find the right fit for your needs, consider your space constraints, backyard layout and overall budget.
Choosing the suitable material for your firepit can save you money down the road and ensure the safety of your family and guests. It’s also a good idea to consider the weather conditions that you plan on using your new outdoor feature. For instance, a cement-based fire pit is an excellent choice if you live in a dry climate. If you’re a temperate dweller, pavers and bricks are more your speed.
Before building the brick wall, decide how much room you need for a healthy fire and for gatherers to chat comfortably around it. Depending on the size of your group, you may need a larger fire pit than you might think.
Once you have a design in place, you can begin to build the wall of bricks or rocks around the fire pit. Stack the bricks or rock pieces on top of each other in a pattern that is pleasing to the eye while still providing enough room for gatherers to talk.
