Unique Cafe Paver Patio in Ann Arbor

Clay pavers are Cleaned and Redesigned to create New Pavers Patio

Near the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor this week we installed a unique Cafe Paver Patio for a homeowner who wanted to reuse their existing clay pavers.  Currently, they had a tiny paver pad at their side entrance, but wanted to expand this area so they could enjoy an expresso in the morning. 

This paver patio project began with the need to pitch water away from the side entrance door. The existing tiny pad was too low and the current asphalt in this area pitched towards the house.  We surveyed this area to find the reference points to make sure we could pitch the pavers away from the side door and along the house. So, we were solving two needs at once... creating a beautiful small patio and pitching water away from the house.

The homeowner had some additional clay pavers onsite and we cleaned  & reused the existing pavers outside the side entrance door.  We still needed to obtain some additional clay pavers from a local supply company to complete the redesign of this new cafe paver patio. We saw cut the existing asphalt with a clean line and prepped the base as needed.

 We found a close match of clay pavers to complete this installation and by mixing all three sources, we were able to create a very natural and functional paver patio for the homeowner.  This cafe paver patio is accented with the use of a decorative rain barrel that catches the water from an adjoining downspout.

 This use of decorative rain barrels has been gaining momentum and I am an advocate of their use and function.  Any time you can avoid piping under ANY pavement, the long term headaches and repairs associated with drains can be avoided. When it comes to frost states like Michigan, piping for gutter downspouts is an on going frustration and often results in the lack of long term performance.

The adage that "beautiful things come in small packages" holds true with this cafe pavers patio redesign & installation. Though small, this paver patio packs a big punch....much like the expressos that will be enjoyed for so many years to come!

Pavers Patio Repair, Cleaning, & Resanding in Ann Arbor

Restoration of Paver Patios is becoming our #1 Brick Paver Repair Service

This past week in Ann Arbor, we were able to transform this neglected Pavers Patio back to its original beauty & function. The homeowner was having a graduation party this Summer and needed help!

 Covered in moss, mildew, dirt, weeds, and grass, this paver patio hid some much needed repair to settled & loose paving stones and spreading paver joints.

We see this condition of brick pavers on a daily basis all too often.  I have always believed that once things get this far out of hand, homeowners give up.  This particular homeowner stopped maintaining this paver patio about 5 years ago and it shows. Neglect is the number one reason for the failure and unsightly appearance of paver patios, walkways, driveways, etc.

 This homeowner stopped sweeping joint sand each Spring about 5 years ago. This lead to moss, weeds, grass, and other organic matter taking over the paver joints. Other areas began to settle due to base erosion under the paving stones from the lack of joint sand in the joints.  As you can see in the before pics, this paver patio gave interlocking brick pavers a bad reputation.

After performing our routine repairs, re-compaction of pavers, cleaning of the paving stones & paver joints, and re-sanding the joints with the proper joint sand,  we were able to bring this paver patio "back to life" and beauty.

Now the homeowner can get a new start on maintaining this beautiful paver patio or sign up for our affordable paver maintenance program to insure endless years of enjoyment & performance!

Never enough Supervision for our Pavers Repair Crew

Pulling out All the stops to make sure our Brick Paver Repair Service is A1

Our brick paver repair crews encounter all kinds of challenges each day. But yesterday they encountered a new experience they never imagined.  Inspector Swan, my new independent hire, was onsite to make sure that our paver patio repair crew was performing their service properly and professionally.

With one eye on his expecting Swanette and another on our paver repair service crew, Inspector Swan gave me a complete report that graded our paver repair crew an A1 rating!  Though he was not impressed by their nature to walk upright and the lack of wings & feathers, Inspector Swan was impressed by the total professionalism, hard work, clean-up of the job, and most of all their attention to good grooming.

Good job crew! I know you work hard to do your best.  My advice is to keep an "eye-in-the-sky" on the next paver repair project!

Full Service Brick Paver Contractors Give You the Best Option

Homeowner's will need post or after installation services of their Brick Pavers

I sold a brick paver patio cleaning and sealing project this week whereby a homeowner had a prominent Ann Arbor landscape company install their brick paver patio last Fall.  They contacted this landscape firm this Spring to have the paver patio sealed.  The homeowner was told they do NOT provide any of those services! I hear this theme on a daily basis and this has shaped the business model of our company.

Poorly sealed Paver Patio

When some of these contractors do perform these services, they usually send inexperienced labor and not skilled workers.  This has lead to many frustrating problems for homeowner's who are left with inferior repairs and discolored sealed patios.  I had one homeowner who's paver patio & walkway had totally turned white from an inferior sealer or was improperly applied. He was told to "wait a year and it will go away".


I have been preaching for years that homeowners must do their due diligence when hiring a contractor to install, reconstruct, or redesign their brick pavers.  Start by hiring a true brick pavers contractor who's main business is interlocking brick pavers & modular retaining walls & steps.  Then make sure they offer after installation services, such as, after warranty repair, cleaning & sealing, and routine maintenance programs.

Patio falling apart

 Make sure that these brick paver after installation services will be scheduled work, even in the Spring, and not "fill in work" or the famous "when we can get to it" response.  A true brick paver contractor emphasizes the paver repair & restoration service end of the business and not just when the season gets slow.  The homeowner wants to enjoy their pavers patio, walkway, or driveway during the Summer when Michigan presents its best opportunity.

Reconstructing from the ground up

Keep in mind that doing brick paver repair, reconstruction, rebuild, and sealing services is more difficult to execute than an unrestricted new installation.  It takes experience, forethought, and some expertise to execute some of these repair services. Prepping and making the right decisions on timing and application for sealing brick pavers is crucial too.

Patio reconstructed & sealed

You can not just send anybody out there to perform these paver services.  A true brick paver contractor will have an experienced, foreman type, worker performing your restoration services. The owner will have the forethought to offer the best options & costs that make sense for either the short or long-term. The brick paver company will schedule your work like any other work they perform, and not make you wait until it is convenient for them!

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Repaired Brick Paver Walkway revisted 2 years later

Reconstructed Pavers Walkway in Ann Arbor is performing well

While performing our Spring maintenance program service for one of our clients in Ann Arbor, we were proud to see that our reconstruction of this paver walkway looked like the day we completed it's transformation. Here is the link to the "before & after" blog post on this brick paver repair in 2010.

  The past 2 years we have been hired to keep the paver joints filled with sand so the brick pavers will perform properly.  The results have been a complete success. The client now wants to improve the appearance of this paver walkway by sealing to enhance the color and give it the "wet look" effect.

 We performed the preliminary paver joint sanding & general cleaning to prep for sealing.  Once the weather is dry & temps are acceptable, we will return and seal with an approved brick paver sealant. Each Spring we will still return to make sure paver joints are filled with joint sand to insure long-term performance & success.

Paver Walkway updates Historic Home in Ypsilanti

Aesthetics and Function play role in this Brick Paver Walk installation

This past week a homeowner wanted us to update the look and accessibility of this historical home in Ypsilanti, MI.  The homeowner was looking to improve the experience of Historic Home visitors at this Summer's home tour. I designed a simple traditional look using modern interlocking brick pavers to create a subtle meandering walking with flares at each end.


The product of choice was Fendt's Holland Paver in Rustic Blend color. The laying pattern was a common "runner bond" or "staggered joint" pattern with a soldier course border frame.  The traditional 4" by 8" brick shape pavers are usually your most economical solution.  With some design creativity the traditional brick shape can be laid in several patterns to give some distinct contrast or quilting effect. The use of multiple colors is another effective technique of this brick shape to achieve added variety & character.

The end result was a simple ,dignified , and economical solution to a need for improved appearance and function.  My crew was able to install this brick paver walkway from start to finish in one day and brought a smile to the homeowner's face. With routine Spring sand sweeping of the paver joints, this paver walk will give endless years of performance.

The 2013 budget has already been set to replace and expand the current back concrete patio area with matching brick pavers which facilitates the event's cookout & gathering location.

Sealed Paver Patios & Walks still need Spring Sand Sweeping

Sealing Brick Pavers enhances colors and protects from weathering

I have been educating my clients for almost 30 years that sealing of brick pavers is for enhancing the color of their paving stones or modular retaining wall blocks and caps. Aesthetics is the key reason for deciding to seal your pavers.  While giving your brick paver patio, walkway, driveway, porch, etc.. the "wet", gloss, or matte look, slowing down the effects of weathering is another valuable benefit of sealing. 

Many inexperienced and misleading landscape contractors have convinced customers that sealing their brick paver patios will also permanently harden the sand in the paver joints, eliminating the growth of weeds or the need to sweep joints in the future.  This can not be further from the truth!

Over time brick paver sealants or joint stabilizers, whether applied as a liquid or swept in as a solid,
will break down in the paver joints due to winter frost, erosion, or ground movements.  Paver joints absorb the movement of the interlocking pavement system and that is one of the keys to its success and performance.

Sealed paver joints are no exception.  They will loosen over time and require refilling of paver joint sand. Time is a variable due to weather, erosion, climate, and frost conditions. It is not necessary to reseal the paver joints when re-sweeping.  Keep up will refilling your paver joints with the proper joint sand and reseal your paver patio, walkway, driveway, porch, etc.. when necessary for the paving stones which is usually every 2-3 years (or summers). 

Sand sweeping of paver joints will be a continued routine maintenance of sealed brick paver installations.  Do not have your pavers sealed because you are under the impression you will not have to have joint sand swept in periodically.  If you keep your paver joints filled with clean joint sand, and not dirt & organic matter, you will greatly reduce any evidence of weeds.