1 Year inspection of Creative Brick Pavers Patio we installed.

The final results of brick paver installations come to light as time goes on

Every year I will stop in and inspect brick paver installations that we installed or rebuilt the prior year.  After a year and after the first winter frost, a brick paver installation will exhibit any flaws in design or execution of installation.


From here on out, it is up to the homeowner to keep sand in the paver joints and address any areas that begin to settle or move. I was able to inspect the results of our hard work and see if the patio installation requires any warranty or non-warranty service. In this case, job well done.  I see the homeowner has kept the paver joints filled with joint sand.

The other reason I enjoy returning about a year later is the final stages of landscaping are usually completed.  The homeowner has highlighted the pavers installation with patio furniture & fixtures, flower pots & accents, and enhancing beautiful flowers, plants, trees, and ground covers. Some clients even add water features, arbors, pergolas, and awnings that give their paver installation the "wow" factor!



 This brick pavers patio installation we installed last year did not disappoint.  The homeowner did a great job landscaping and adding an eye popping pergola. We set the pillars that supported the pergola to the owners specifications and the final results look great!  The homeowner also complimented their large and functional pavers patio with great pieces of patio furniture and many accents & potted plants.

As a brick paver contractor that takes pride in his design & work, I am impressed that this homeowner took so much time to protect, enhance, and improve the appearance of their brick pavers investment.  Your brick pavers installation comes all together when the final touches of landscaping and accenting are completed.  Great job Bob, Debbie, and my crew!

Common Pavers Step Repair: Replacing Step Caps

Brick Paver Steps can be restored, repaired, or replaced at a nominal cost

We performed a very common brick pavers step repair this past week. We replaced old deteriorating paver step caps that became unsightly & unsafe with new and improved paver step caps.  I see this type of paver repair on a daily basis and there is a simple solution we can perform assuming the paver step has not settled or became un-level.

Paver step caps, especially for the front entrance, are challenged over time due to heavy traffic and the common use of rock salt during the Winter months in Michigan.
 

This paver step was still level but the step caps were severely pitted and deteriorating fast.  To the homeowners own admission, they excessively rock salted during the winter months which compromised the structural integrity of this product.

We easily removed the existing step caps and re-adhered new paver caps to bring there entrance back to life. We reset the brick pavers immediately behind the step caps and swept in new paver joint sand.  This total paver repair was only $150 which included the cost of the new paver step caps. The cost of this step cap replacement was far under the cost to replace or re-surface cement steps or wooden steps.

The advantage of modular retaining wall blocks & caps is the low maintenance and cost of freshening up or repairing in the future. After 12 years from the initial installation of this front porch step, this new step cap replacement made the entrance look new again and the homeowner is very pleased. I advised them to use white pellet snow melt on their paver porch, step, and walkway in the future. It is less damaging on high density concrete products and performs better melting ice.

Should you wait until Spring to have your Brick Pavers Repaired?

The decision to wait to have your Brick Paver Patio or Walkway repaired can be more costly

This time of year I have alot of potential clients who decide to wait until Spring to have their brick paver patios, walkways, driveways, porches, etc.. repaired or restored.  In many ways, this decision can be much more costly.  It is important to heed the advice of a reputable and honest brick pavers contractor who will explain the pros & cons of when you should have these paver repair services performed.

I am a consumer too so I always believe that a good qualified contractor should not always be trying to get the work or job today. A good brick paver contractor will present you with the best economical & timing options that best meet your needs and budget.

This all came to light recently when we performed some major repair & design change work to a large raised paver patio installation in Plymouth, MI.  The homeowner was in dire straights with a paver patio that was collasping quickly.  An unqualified landscape contractor did the original work only 4 years ago. This patio installation was unsafe and close to collapsing into the back yard.

This raised brick paver patio needed approx. 50-60% rebuild and the customer did not have the budget for this work at this time.  The homeowner was considering waiting until Spring and using next years tax return to fund the repairs.  The issue became that by waiting through another Winter, this raised paver patio will suffer more damage & settling which will effect the remaining 40-50% of installation.  This of course will greatly increase the cost needed to repair & restore this paver patio.

I spelled out a 2 phase plan that would be more economically feasible for the homeowner at this time while protecting the rest of the raised paver patio from further damage. The first phase was to rebuild & redesign the outer retaining wall foundation of this raised paver patio to keep it from collapsing into the yard and protecting the upper level from further damage.  Much like a house, you must secure the foundation first, then address the rest of the structure in the future.

The second phase will be to return in the Spring and redesign & repair the paver steps leading into the house,  relay the ground level patio & walkway, and rebuild the sitting walls & pillars.  When we complete this total restoration of these multil-level paver patios & walk, the homeowner will deservedly enjoy their paver installation as originally expected.

The extent of repairs for this brick paver installation is an embarrassment to my profession. The lack of attention to construction detail & execution from this landscape contractor has resulted in a "scar" for the appearance, performance, and industry of paving stones and modular retaining wall blocks & caps.

The point made here is that by waiting to repair or restore the settling of brick pavers or wall blocks will result in additional areas settling, leaning, or gapping at an exponential rate. Winter frost will be the most damaging force on compromised paving stones and wall blocks.

The biggest concern I see on a daily basis is the settling of the paving stones directly behind the wall caps.  Instead of rain water flowing over the top of the the caps and off the patio or steps, it runs down behind the wall blocks & caps and slowly erode the base. The hydro static pressure on the walls, especially when frozen during the Winter, will certainly push on the retaining wall system and result in extreme leaning and/or collapsing.

Sometimes the simple cost of repairing or resetting pavings stones will protect the extensive & expensive cost of repairing wall blocks. I have mentioned several times in earlier posts that sweeping of paver joint sand seasonally is the most important factor of brick pavers, but making sure your paver installation is in optimal condition leading into the Winter is the next.

If your brick pavers patio or walkway will require complete reconstruction, it usually does not matter whether you have it done in the Fall or Spring.  The main concern would be safety or risk of water getting into the home during Fall or Winter.  Once the ground is frozen, proper paver repair services can not be performed.

The other factor to keep in mind about whether to have your pavers repaired in Fall or Spring is the cost.  Most brick paver contractors like myself will give a better price to perform these restoration services in the Fall over the high demand of our services in the Spring.  Typically, my prices are 10-15% less in the Fall because we will have gaps in our schedule to fill due to lower demand & leads.  In contrast, Spring prices reflect new higher costs of products, labor, insurances, etc.. that need to be covered to meet minimum margins. 

I know it is easy to put off your paver patio or walkway repair for the Spring, but for those that are cost conscious, it will behoove you to consider doing these repairs this Fall to save costs and/or added future repairs. Remember that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!"

Small Brick Paver Walkway Installed in old neighborhood in Ann Arbor

Clay Pavers over Cement slab and bordered with wood timbers are replaced

This week in near downtown Ann Arbor we replaced an old clay paver walkway that was installed over the old cement slab walk and bordered with wood landscape timbers. This was a cosmetic solution by the prior owner to dress up the curb appeal of the home to sell, but over the long-term this application was going to fail.

  The old existing walkway was showing signs of distress and becoming unsightly. The cement slab below would heave up the clay pavers during winter frost and the wood landscape timbers began to rot & bow.  Since the clay pavers were not set over a properly draining base, they did not properly perform and became uneven, loose, and gapped.

 The new homeowner wanted to improve the appearance of her home and at the same time, remove the small step up at the city sidewalk that was causing tripping.   The new homeowner wanted to use a style of brick paver that was traditional to the theme of old Ann Arbor. I suggested we use the most traditional shape, 4X8 inch rectangle, laid in a popular herringbone pattern.  The outside edges are outlined with a soldier course border to "picture frame" the walk and prevent small cut pieces to come loose.



  We removed the clay pavers which were in great structural shape and donated them to a local youth camp.  The old cement slab was removed and the soil was excavated to the proper depth. The excavated soil was compacted, the base material was installed & compacted, and  the bedding course was leveled and pitched properly.  The new high density concrete interlocking pavers were installed in a soft curved design and flared at the city sidewalk.

This small brick pavers walkway is a simple and affordable solution to improve the appearance, safety, and value of a home. Front walkways are a integral part of any home's curb appeal and lure. Choosing interlocking brick pavers as a replacement of old concrete sidewalks is a feasible and economical solution.

Are popular Paver Block Firepits and Grills the thing of the past?

Once the toast of the Paver Patio, Firepits & Paver Block Grills lose their taste!

The past 15 years I have not had a customer who had us install, repair, or restore a brick paver patio who did not inquire about adding a firepit or paver block grill.  As most brick paver manufacturers searched for new uses of their products versatility, outdoor living spaces became the marketing focus.  Most Americans consider paver patios, decks, or four seasons rooms the "5th room" of the house. This is often referred to as the "outdoor living space" of the home.

Entertainment, family enjoyment, and functionality began to change in the back yard after the turn of the century. The past few years I have noticed a change in the choices for paver patio "add-ons" and "accents".  I am giving some recommendations below to consider as an option before having your brick pavers contractor install a firepit or paver block grill in and around your brick pavers patio.


FIREPITS
The single most enjoyment for most families in the back yard is a good ole fire.  As it mesmerizes the kids, warms the skin, lights the night, keeps the bugs at bay, and creates a camping trip smell, the paver block firepit was once the "golden nugget" of brick paver patio installation.  Whether roasting marsh mellows, skewing hot dogs, or setting the scene for long scary tales, firepits have brought bounds of enjoyment for family & friends.

I have recently began to advise my customers who request paver block firepits to consider the option of using the new portable firepit structures offered by outdoor living centers or home improvement centers like Lowes & Home Depot. The variety, costs, and flexibility of these portable firepits can not be matched by a permanent paver block firepit.

Flexibility of placement and cleaning are just a start. Accessory items, such as fitted covers, are a huge benefit.  The greatest advantage is cost! The minimum 5ft diameter paver block firepit installed is $700 ( alittle cheaper if combined with a new paver patio installed).  Portable firepits range from $75- $400 depending on the structure's material & size. There are even patio tables with a firepit in the middle that are a dazzling idea.

I, Mr. Brick Paver Contractor, personally uses a wrought iron & tile firepit and a chiminea on my pavers patio.  Cost was obviously not a factor in my decision but the flexibility of changing the location of the firepit seasonally or during events was the biggest draw. Having had a paver block firepit in the past, I was fully aware of the aggravating cleaning process too.


BLOCK GRILLS

Much like the firepits above, paver block grills have become out of favor due to the high cost of pre-fab and custom construction units.  Pre-fab or custom construction grills, fireplaces, & kitchenette paver block units with all the appliances pre-installed can range from $10,000-$12,000 each unit when purchased and installed. Though beautiful, these paver patios features are affordable to few.

Focusing just on the paver block grills, I have come up with a less and feasible cost application that we have implemented the last several years.  I refer to it as the "custom grill enclosure".  Basically, the homeowner purchases a new stainless steel grill with the features they desire, and we "enclose" the unit using paver blocks and/ or caps. We custom design & cut to fit the grill unit while creating added surface space. It is worth mentioning that the more round or curved your grill is, the more cost to custom enclose will be.

The custom grill enclosure runs about $2,500-$3,500 depending on the size & cost of the new grill.  We also are able to construct the custom grill enclosure so the unit can be easily removed if needed.  This application for a paver block grill has been a happy median of cost & appearance that our homeowners could afford and enjoy. This installation process really gives your pavers patio and outdoor living space the "wow" factor!


I know, I know, why would a respectable brick pavers contractor cut out profitable patio "add-ons" that customer's want & request. Well its simple, I always approach each and every paver bid, whether a new installation, repair, or cleaning & sealing project, with the mind set of "what I would want an honest and informative contractor to tell me". 
I like to analyze each paver project with a "cost / benefit" approach, offering the most economical products, design, & solutions that best meet the customers needs. Sometimes simple solutions to wants & needs can satisfy both customer and contractor. Most time customers just need to know what options or solutions can solve their needs at the best price.