If you’re looking to gain some more enjoyment out of your home and your yard, installing a fire pit can be just the way to do that. It’s actually quite simple to install your own fire pit with the right materials and planning. Take a look at the steps we have laid out for you below.
What You’ll Need:
- A shovel
- Stones for the wall
- Concrete
- Stakes and string
- Spray paint
- Fire brick
- Landscape cloth
Choose Your Location
You’ll need to find a place in your yard that is far away from anything that can catch fire like bushes, sheds, trees, or tall grasses.
Plan Your Area
You’ll need to plan the area for your fire pit. Be sure that the area you choose has enough space. The fire pit itself requires about a 3 foot area of diameter. The outer wall will have a 5 foot diameter. Then you’ll need a 12 foot diameter circle sectioned off for the seating area around the fire pit itself. You can mark these areas off with string or spray paint.
Time To Dig
You’ll need to dig the footer for both the inner and outer walls of the fire pit. Dig between the 5 and 3 foot markers down about 5-6 inches into the ground. Then, fill the newly dug out ring with concrete. Ensure that the top is level and smoothed out. Wait for the concrete to set.
Organize Your Stones
While you’re waiting for your concrete to dry, find your stones and separate these into either cap stones or face stones. The cap stones are used for the top of the wall and the face stones are for the bottom. Cap stones should be flat and smooth.
Place Your Stones
Follow the outer edge of the ring that has been created. Complete the circle. Then, place a ring of fire brick around the inner ring. Continue this process as follows: an outer layer of stone, an inner layer of fire brick. Make sure that you’re keeping everything level throughout the process.
Fill In The Cracks
Using scrap stone and mortar, fill in the spaces of your completed wall. Before the wall is capped, you’ll want to make sure that it’s completely solid.
The Final Step
Now that your wall is solid and filled, you’ll need to place your cap stones. You may need to cut certain stones to be sure that everything fits in place for this part of your project. Once everything fits, mortar the stones into place.
Set Up Your Seating Area
Dig up the grass inside of the 12 foot circle that you have mapped out. Then, put down some landscape cloth. Fill the area with gravel for safety.
Enjoy Your Fire Pit
Now, all you need to do is add some comfy seating with some firewood and your fire pit is ready to enjoy! Heed safety recommendations placed by your city or town for a stress-free time using your fire pit.
A fire pit can be an asset to your home no matter where you live. Cool evenings call for great conversation by the fire anytime!
