Paver Repair
“Paver Repairs are more often a result of improper installation than of the quality of the paver itself.”
Paver Repairs
Pavers themselves are a durable and reliable hardscape surface for all types of outdoor living surfaces such as patios, driveways, pool decks, lanais, walkways and more. Paver surfaces can last for 25 years or more when installed and maintained properly.
When issues show themselves in your paver hardscapes it is more often than not a result of improper installation or workmanship practices. Pavers, as with any hardscape option including concrete, require proper base preparation to avoid failure and repairs in the future.
Below we will review a few of the more common paver repair services we offer and why they happen and what can be done to address them.
Paver Driveway Repairs
Paver driveways are the upgraded choice for most homeowners in Florida. Considered to have more visual appeal and texture while being strong and durable makes pavers a great choice. Sadly, installation techniques vary and not all driveways are installed properly.
- Sinking Pavers: cause is poor base prep or inadequate drainage, etc.
- Shifting Pavers: cause is edge restraint failure or poor base prep.
Most often we can repair problems in the driveway without replacing it entirely, but occasionally we have need to completely re-install. Poor drainage can play a critical role in some cases and will cause sinking over time if not addressed. Typically, paver ruts caused where cars drive in and out of the garage are a result of improper base preparation, but this can be fixed as well.
Pool Deck Repairs
If you see pavers sinking in your pool deck, it is typically just a small symptom of the extensive underlying issues.
We are asked nearly every time we are called out for an on-site assessment if pool deck pavers sinking is common. Sadly, yes it is common — not because of the pavers themselves but because of the process used to back-fill the pool.
Learn more about pool deck paver repair in the blog post we wrote covering this topic in detail: Paver Pool Deck Repair.
Shifting Pavers
If your pavers are shifting and the gaps are widening, it is most often a result of poor quality edge restraint and/or improper base preparation.
The sooner you address the issue, the less extensive and costly it will be to repair. Most often we will need to remove all the affected pavers and regrade the area. Once the pavers are re-installed we can install proper edge restraint, sand and wash.
Sinking Pavers
Sinking pavers are usually a result of improper compaction or organic material left in the grade, and as it decomposes over time the area begins to sink.
When paver additions are installed, many times there are bushes, plants or trees that are removed, and it is critical that complete extraction is completed and the hole is filled and compacted in layers to avoid future issues.
We talk a lot about base prep, but it really is the critical foundation of paver installations. Be sure to have your paver work excavated properly and the appropriate base preparation done for the project — driveways require different base preparation than walkways and patios, most often.
