The fall is here and the cooler weather is upon us, so it is a perfect time to roast a little marshmallows and sit out by the fire. Gazing into flames can have a mesmerizing effect on our brain. Building your own firepit can be done in several easy steps. The internet has many DIY firepit projects that can be done with just a shovel, level, brick, a metal firepit ring, concrete pavers, pea gravel, all-purpose sand, weed killer and river rock. Here are the steps to take to create a nice DIY firepit.
1. Plan the Location and Layout
HGTV instructs, “before assembling, check the local building codes for any rules and regulations regarding fire pits in your area. Next, choose a flat and level location away from your house and any low-hanging trees or other structures. When purchasing the bricks, ensure the manufacturer has deemed them safe for fire pit usage. A fire pit should be built at least 15 feet from any structure and close to a water source.”
2. Determine the Size
This will all come down to the size of the metal ring that you purchased. According to HGTV, the size will be displayed on the ring at any hardware store or online store. You will want to sit the ring and retaining-wall blocks on the ground where you want your fire pit. Then you will need to mark the outside with a shovel so you will have an outline of the area.
3. Dig a Hole and Line with Sand
You will want to dig inside the marked circle that you created with a shovel, and make it at least 7 inches deep. Once you have your hole, you can fill it with a 1-inch layer of sand and pat it down flat. This is where a level will come in handy.
4. Add Base Row and Position Metal Ring
Once you have a leveled area, line the bottom row of fire brick inside the hole. Once you have done this, you can place the metal ring along the inside of the bottom row of bricks.
5. Create the Firepit Floor and Add Pea Gravel and River Rock
You want to make sure to cover as much of the pit floor as possible with firebrick. Once this is complete, you can fill in the gaps of the firepit floor with pea gravel. The river rock will be scattered around the outside of the firepit. Putting the river rock along the outside will help the bottom layer of bricks to stay in place.
6. Stack Remaining Rows of Blocks and Apply Weed Killer
You will want to stack the remaining outer blocks to the height you would like your firepit. Remember to stagger the seams of each layer you place. Once you are finished, you will spray weed killer around the firepit so weeds will not grow.
A DIY firepit is not that complicated to build and can be done with simple materials you can easily find at your local hardware store. If you need assistance or feel that this is too much for you to take on, contact your local hardware store who can probably get you in touch with a professional.
