Pavers give a yard flair and personality. They improve the beauty of your area and can provide interesting texture and design. Tripping dangers are the last thing you want pavers to add to your yard. What can you do to prevent paver issues if you decide to include them in your outdoor sanctuary? Or will pavers eventually sink? Let’s look at what you can do to maintain the level of your pavers and what to do if you notice that some are shifting.
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Strong Foundation
Longer paver leveling protects the pavers from sinking and is made possible with a solid foundation. Prior to starting the paver installation, check to see if the ground is leveled and cleared. Then, set up a sub-base with crushed rocks to sustain pavers without shifting. Next, install a base. Concrete sand is a wise choice for a base because of its spreading abilities and excellent drainage.
Laying the pavers on top of the sturdy and uniform base follows installation. Tamp the pavers down after they are in position. Smaller portions can be tamped using a hand tamper, but larger areas can be tamped more easily with a plate tamper. Sweep some sand on top once the pavers have been tamped to fill in all the joints.
The Causes of the Shifting Terrain
Identify the cause of any ground movement if your property already has a paver patio or pathway in place and you notice shifting. A typical cause of paver sinking or shifting is too much water. If there is no visible drainage path, water will pool. Determine whether there is too much water near the sinking paver and whether the drainage needs to be changed.
An unsteady foundation is another issue that frequently affects pavers. Address any problems with the sub-base and base that existed when the pavers were installed.
Repairing Damaged Pavers
Sinking pavers must be removed first, along with any nearby pavers. The safe zone around the impacted region is one foot in all directions. This enables you to evaluate the base and sub-quality base’s in relation to the levels surrounding the problematic location. If you have a paver puller, you can use it to remove the pavement. If not, a putty knife or screwdriver will also do the trick.
The base or sand is below the paver. Take the sand out. Scrape off any moss that may have formed inside of them. You will see the gravel or broken rock that was utilized as a sub-base once the sand has been removed. To make it level with the surrounding gravel, add more gravel. New concrete sand should then be added uniformly. After setting the pavers in place, fill up any gaps by brushing more sand over the entire area.
DIY or Outsource?
Repairing a few pavers can be easy and uncomplicated if you are familiar with the procedure and comfortable handling the work. If you are unsure of your abilities, think about hiring a skilled patio builder.
If you cannot identify the cause of the issue, it may be wise to get the assistance of a hardscape expert to figure out why the pavers are shifting. Without addressing the root of the issue, patching up the damaged region will only serve as a bandage, and the problem will recur. An unprofessional installation may cause sinking and uneven pavers; a paver patio contractor with experience can complete the work correctly the first time.
source: https://www.riversidecustomhardscapes.com/preventing-paver-problems/
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