When it comes to paver problems, leave no stone unturned
You can remedy some common paver problems like stains or cracked tiles.
Complicated drainage problems or major repairs are better left to the pros.
Resealing pavers during maintenance will keep your driveway or patio looking new.
Don’t ignore uneven pavers that could create a tripping hazard.
From winding brick paths to castle terraces, paver stones have appeared in architecture and landscaping for centuries. Adding pavers to your landscaping, whether it’s a paver patio, walkway, or driveway, can make any home feel like a castle. But even with their time-tested durability, pavers are prone to specific issues. Here are some of the most common paver problems and how to fix them.
Many of the most common paver problems aren’t necessarily due to installation problems or hardscape failures. They can be as basic as an errant stain or as complex as earthquake damage. The good news is that many solutions to these problems are fairly easy for homeowners to take on themselves.
A quick wash with a hose will clean your pavers and make them look new again. For tough stains, use a mild cleaning solution (such as dishwashing soap and water or white vinegar), scrub with a wire hand brush, and hose it down.
From oil stains to tire marks, unsealed paving stones can develop unsightly stains and other surface blemishes from the elements and daily use. Sealing your pavers will help prevent stains and make washing away dirt and dust easier. Reapply sealer every three to five years.
One of the few downsides to paver stones versus stamped concrete is that weeds can grow in between the stones. Joint sand holds pavers together, and using the right joint sand can help prevent weed growth.
Polymeric sand is a joint sand that creates a durable joint between pavers, so many contractors opt to use it. Remove any existing weeds by hand and replace the joint sand with polymeric sand to stop weeds from growing between pavers.
As the sand settles beneath the pavers, it can cause the bricks or tiles to shift and become loose. Repair loose pavers as soon as possible because they create an uneven walking surface and a tripping hazard. Remove each paver one at a time, add new joint sand, and place the stones or paver tiles back. If you need help repairing loose pavers, a local hardscape contractor to do the job for you.
Ideally, tree root removal takes place before paver installation. However, tree roots can grow up to three times their canopy spread, so it’s not uncommon for them to eventually interfere with your paver patio, which may be why your pavers are lifting.
If tree roots are uprooting your pavers, remove them before fixing your patio.
First, pry up your paver stones with a crowbar or a flat-head screwdriver.
Scoop out the polymeric sand holding the bricks or pavers in place. Keep as much of it as possible because you can reuse it.
Dig out the roots. If you’re lucky, you can use the sharp end of a shovel to cut through them. You may need a handsaw or large pruners to cut them.
If there are larger roots and the soil is compacted, you’ll have to rent a stump grinder.
Once you’ve removed all the roots, level the ground back out using a hoe and a tamper.
Add a layer of gravel as a root barrier.
Add sand and reinstall your pavers.
When tree roots wreak havoc on your pavers, you can hire a paver contractor who can help you get them under control.
Tree roots are not the only culprit when it comes to moving paver stones. When the soil beneath the paver stones expands, it can cause shifting and gaps between the pavers. Earthquakes can also cause pavers to shift.
To remedy this issue, fill in the gaps with polymeric sand. If more extensive shifting has occurred, consider consulting a hardscape pro to assess the best course of action.
Even the strongest paver stone can crack with time and age. The good news is it’s fairly easy to replace one tile. It’s always a good idea to keep a few extra paver tiles on hand for repairs when installing paver patios, driveways, or walkways.
Remove the offending paver and flip it over to assess the damage. If the crack is significant, replace the paver with a new one and add sand as needed.
If the soil wasn’t compacted correctly before the paver installation, they may sink over time. To fix sunken pavers, remove the affected pavers and add more base material, like polymeric sand or crushed gravel, and compact the base before replacing the pavers. After replacing and leveling the pavers, add polymeric sand between the pavers to fill the gaps.
Time and weather can take a toll on your paver patio. Extreme conditions like heavy rainfall, salt from deicing during the winter, sunlight, or flooding can cause major fading. If you’d like to give your pavers a fresh look, apply a new coat of paver sealer. There are many levels of gloss and color to enhance the appearance of your pavers.
Permeable pavers allow water to drain off through an underground drainage system, sloped hardscaping, or both. If you notice sinking pavers or water pooling on your paver patio or driveway, this could indicate a drainage issue under your pavers.
Call a paver installation professional near you as soon as possible to evaluate the situation and determine if your patio needs repairs so you can relax on the patio or park on your one-of-a-kind driveway.
Sometimes, the pavers around the patio edge tend to lean as people step on them and drive them into the ground. This can also happen if the edge restraint was improperly installed or the base material wasn’t compacted properly. You can fix this paver problem by removing the affected pavers, adding and properly compacting more base material, and reinstalling the pavers with proper edge restraints.
Amber Guetebier contributed to this piece.
