When Is It Time to Repair Your Interlocking Pavers?

Interlocking concrete pavers are among the most versatile and visually appealing materials used in residential landscaping projects. It’s common to see homeowners use them for walkways, patios, driveways, and more, because they are durable, strong, and have long life cycles.

You can also create a variety of designs with interlocking concrete pavers because they come in many sizes, styles, and shapes.

While regularly maintaining your interlocking pavers will go a long way in preventing them from getting damaged, it’s important to recognize signs that indicate a need to replace them.

Interlocking Paver Maintenance: Preventing Discoloration and Surface Damage

If you haven’t properly sealed your interlocking concrete pavers, you may notice their color fading, or even surface damage. By coating your interlocking pavers with a robust sealer, you will:

• Maintain the finish and color
• Reduce surface damage
• Prevent staining caused over time

If you use a quality interlocking paver sealer, you will only need to reseal them about every three to five years. Consult a professional masonry service to determine which sealer to use for your interlocking pavers.

Signs Your Interlocking Pavers Need Repair

These are the telltale signs that your interlocking concrete pavers need repair. Take a look.

Weeds Coming Through Pavers

Pavers generally have narrow spaces between them through which pests, weeds, and unwanted plants can make their way through. These can completely ruin the look of your walkways, driveway, and patio, as weeds push their way through the narrow spaces.

The best way to address this issue is to have your pavers installed with polymeric sand. However, if they weren’t installed with polymeric sand, you can have them applied professionally.

Shifting Pavers

If you haven’t used proper edge restraint to keep your interlocking pavers aligned and in place, there’s a good chance that they might shift. If this occurs, you’ll need to do the following:

1. Remove the edge pavers.
2. Keep the proper alignment in mind when re-staking the edging.
3. Replace the pavers while ensuring the surface is even. Use sand if the surface is uneven.
4. Sweep polymeric sand in the joints.

Uneven Surface

At times, some of your pavers may rise or settle a little differently than the rest. This is not only visually unappealing, but it is also unsafe. Here’s how you can address the issue.

• Use specialized extractor tools to remove the pavers that must be reset.
• Apply small amounts of sand to the base course to make the final level of the surface even.
• Make sure to press the additional sand down so that it is compacted.
• Replace the pavers and tamp them in place.
• Apply polymeric sand in the joints.

With over 20 years of experience providing professional masonry services in Canton, Bloomfield, Farmington, Hartford, Burlington, Simsbury, Bristol, and other areas in CT, we’ve garnered a stellar reputation for excellence in masonry and brick and concrete repair.

If your interlocking concrete pavers have been neglected for too long and are showing signs of damage, we offer professional masonry design, repairs, and installation. Reach out to us at (860) 225-9178 for more details.