Interlocking pavers are one of the most popular surfaces being installed in Victoria BC. It can be seen in driveways, patios, walkways, and more. They are a colorful and artful addition to a property and are very cost effective. Unlike concrete slabs, they can also be easily repaired without redoing the entire surface. Here is a quick guide on paver repairs.
One of the most common problems are pavers that have sunk. This can be caused by excessive sand use, improper or lack of compaction prior to the original installation, or excessive traffic and weight. Sometimes it could also be from erosion. It could also be just from age.
If the cause is determined to be from just old age, then the pavers can be pulled and reset using the normal ratios of roadbase gravel to sand, usually 4-8" of gravel vs 1" of sand. However, if the pavers have sunk due to erosion or excessive traffic or sand, then more gravel is recommended to be used and less sand. This is due to gravel being less likely to shift, compact, and wash away than sand.
The biggest challenge during a paver repair is often getting that first paver out. Pavers are designed to be locked into each other to act as a single solid surface more or less. To create that first chink in the armor, one can use hook knives and a decent hammer. The hammer is used to wedge the hook knives, which are nice and thin, into the joints of a paver you wish to target. Then, you can use both hook knives to try to wedge and lift that paver out. It usually takes a bit of jiggling around and using the hook of the knife to get under the paver makes a big difference. Once that first one is out there, the hook knife can be used to lift other pavers out from under them using the hooked tip of the knife.
When reseting the pavers, it's important to maintain the right pitch and surface level. This can be done using a string level and a tape measure. A rubber mallet aka a dead blow hammer is also very useful to make minor adjustments. Once all the pavers are reset, it's important to apply joint sand to the paver surface and to compact it preferably with a plate compactor to recreate a solid level surface.
This entire process can be surprisingly time consuming. Usually it's impossible to fit the pavers back in the original pattern and format due to changes incurred during the repair itrself. As a result, a masonry saw will be needed to cut pieces to make them fit the new surface. If all of this sounds tedious and overwhelming, you can always hire a local landscaping company. Rest assured that it will be far more economical than having to redo the entire surface as one would need to for a cracked concrete surface.
A driveway always performs a vital role in making your home exterior looking impressive as its a primary thing that people see.
Driveways can add extra usable space in your garden and they also provide more protection for vehicles as objected to parking them on the road or in a nearby car garage.
Over time, driveways or driveway paving stones or patio pavers will need to replace to maintain their appearance and purpose.
Determine the issues whether you need to repair or replace the driveway completely.
If you are opting for replacing the complete driveway, you need to clear out your old driveway.
Afterward, you will require to get a concrete cutting power to cut the driveway into little pieces of concrete that you can pull away.
You can give them a polished look despite the environmental conditions and friction caused on the surfaces.
Nowadays, there are a plethora of options in sealers that you can choose from.
Improves Drainage system- One of the lesser-known facts of the sealers is the fact they can improve the drainage system around the installation.
When you get the installation in place, there are chances that the moisture is trapped underneath the surface.
This makes it difficult to create a firm structure on the ground.
The application of the sealer creates a barrier on the top surface, thus resulting in an efficient run-off from precipitation.
