Brick Pavers Cleaning & Sealing Now in Season for Summer

The summer season has began for cleaning & sealing of brick pavers in Southeast Michigan.  As the temperatures and dryer weather prevail, the conditions for an optimal sealing of brick pavers exists. These homeowners in Canton, MI decided to have their brick pavers done in June. 

Spring in Southeast Michigan presents a lot of challenges for cleaning and sealing brick pavers.  Weather and temperatures are erratic and can cause anxiety and frustration when executing a brick paver sealing project.  I usually would recommend that cleaning & sealing of brick pavers be scheduled after mid-May to insure optimal conditions for the best appearance.  The cleaning and sealing season will usually end by the end of October.  

The desired temperatures for brick paver sealants is between 50-90 degrees.  When deciding to seal pavers at the 2 extreme temps, its important to take in effect sunlight, humidity, and wind.  Cleaning of brick pavers and re-sanding of paver joints does not really have any weather restrictions.  Brick paver projects that do not involve using sealer, I will perform as early as late March to Thanksgiving.  

Cleaning & sealing of brick pavers can be performed as a DIY project or by a professional brick paver contractor.  Depending on which approach the homeowner decides to take, great patience and detail must be executed to have an optimal result and appearance.  

Brick Paver Walkway Brought Back to Life!

 Before

This homeowner had a brick paver walkway that was installed 32 years ago.  There has been no repair or maintenance work done to these pavers since the initial installation.  The homeowner considered having the brick walkway replaced with new pavers or concrete. 

After getting quotes for over $13,000 for replacing with new pavers and over $8,000 for a new concrete walk, this homeowner decided to go with my recommendation to "bring it back to life" with a brick paver restoration approach.  The cost for this "bring it back to life" paver restoration would be under $2,000.  The approach is to repair just some of the severely sunken pavers, but a lot imperfections would still remain.  

Before

Running a plate compactor over ALL the pavers would help improve performance by locking up the pavers.  This plate compaction also helps improve the overall appearance of the pavers.   

Powerwash cleaning the brick pavers and paver joints is a tedious job, even if using a 4000 psi powerwasher.  Great care is taken to reduce the mess from debris but using some common sense and experienced strategies makes the work successful.   

After

Clean up is done and then waiting for the pavers & pavers joints to dry begins.  The next day paver joint sand is swept in joints, blown off clean, and touched up to prepare for sealing.  

A high quality "matte" finish brick paver sealant is applied.  The first coat is a "flood coat" so it soaks into the joints, then shortly after, a light second coat is applied to adhere more sealant to the paver surface.  

After

The before & after pictures of this brick paver walkway tell the story. It is an incredible paver restoration & overall appearance but reversing the years of neglect is limited. 

I always advise if you stay on a routine brick paver maintenance program for your brick pavers, they can look like the day they were installed!

Brick Paver Spring Maintenance in Ann Arbor

Time to perform spring maintenance on your brick paver patio, walks, & driveway!

Spring has sprung in Michigan and the threat of any further freeze thaw cycles is done.  This means it is time to strategize on the maintenance objectives of your brick pavers.  Assessing the needs and care that are to be taken to ensure long-term performance is upon you.

 

Take the time to inspect your brick paver walks, patio, and driveway for sunken or lifted pavers.  If sunken, it will take some effort to lift out, add some base, and reinstall.  If raised, it may only take tamping down with a hand tamper or power plate compactor.   Make sure you do not mistake sunken or raised pavers areas because the other is true.  For example, slightly sunken paver areas may look like the surrounding area is raised.  Evaluate which circumstance is true and execute the correct action.

 

The brick pavers in Spring may seem a little loose due to the thawed base under the pavers.  Also, the lack of paver joint sand in the joints will let pavers rock back and forth slightly.  This signals the most important step in maintaining your brick pavers…. Spring sand sweeping!  It is important to keep your paver joints filled with joint sand.  On a dry day, drop a bag or more of paver joint sand and spread over all your brick pavers.  Sweep generously over all the pavers and paver joints to insure filling any empty joints.   Blow off all your pavers with a light passing of a blower, insuring you don’t blow the sand out of the joints.  Any excess sand on top of the pavers will wash off with Spring rains but don’t leave any piles of sand on your pavers.

 

This is the most basic and beneficial service for your brick pavers.  This needs to be performed every Spring, preferably in mid to late April.  For the purpose of this article, I have not talked about cleaning & sealing of your brick pavers.  These are premium services that I discuss in detail in many other past articles.  Basically, if you feel your brick pavers need cleaning before adding new joint sand, just power wash the pavers & paver joints, let dry completely, and then sweep joint sand.  When it comes to sealing your brick pavers, I recommend it every 2-3 years, and you should perform the steps of cleaning and sweeping of joint sand prior to any sealing.

 

I want to further note that your Spring touch up of paver joint sand is “regular” paver joint sand, NOT polymeric sand (hardening sand).  Polymeric sand is another premium service which requires cleaning of all paver joints prior to sweeping in.  When working with polymeric sand, great care needs to be taken to make sure you avoid a disastrous result.  

 

Brick pavers will perform excellent if you just perform this basic paver maintenance each Spring.  Paver joint sand is the blood line of all brick paver installations.  Spring brick paver maintenance can easily be performed by you the homeowner, or performed by an experience brick paver contractor at a reasonable cost. Contact us at brickdoctorbill@gmail.com if you want a qualified brick paver contractor to perform this service for you.

Brick Pavers Installed in the Midwest

Brick pavers patios, walks, and driveways

Brick Pavers in the last 30 years has evolved into one the most popular pavement options in the Midwest. The aesthetics and functional value of brick pavers make it the best financial choice for patios, walks, and driveways.  For purpose of this article, I will discuss grade (ground) level options and exclude elevated structures that compete with composite decks or landings.  In the Midwest, there are many challenges to pavement performance, mainly from the freeze thaw cycles (ground frost) we experience. 

The initial cost of installing brick pavers will exceed most cement and asphalt pavements.  Stamped concrete costs will be closer to the cost of a brick paver installation, but a variety of high end designed pavers will keep costs higher.  Brick paver manufacturers have spent incredible investment funds for research to improve the density, appearance, and performance of brick pavers.  Customer needs have changed over the past 30 years and meeting that need has improved the brick paver industry's response by giving many design, color, and texture options for homeowners.  

The cost of a brick paver installations have doubled over the past 15 years, mainly due to the cost of labor.  The brick paver market is a skilled labor that cannot be efficient or qualitative if done by a standard landscape crew.  Admittedly, it is not as skilled as masonry installations, but it takes an experienced and creative crew to execute the specifications and quality installation of todays brick paver designs.  General labor is still needed but this work is physical and time consuming.  Most brick pavers are installed for residential applications and each individual brick paver is handled and installed.  Mass installation of pavers by specialized equipment typically is reserved for large commercial or municipal applications.  Costs for base material has skyrocketed due the cost of mining and shipping.  Base materials are used for the base prep as well as the production of the asphalt, concrete, and brick pavers.

The cost advantage of brick pavers installation comes over time!  All pavements require some maintenance but asphalt requires the most frequent attention of surface maintenance and replacement.  Cement can be quiet for about 5 years in the Midwest but once cracks, shifting, and spalling occur, maintenance begins to accelerate for this pavement.  Replacement is the highest cost for cement pavements.  You can choose to do ongoing maintenance of crack filling, re-leveling, and staining but the aesthetic value declines considerably after 5 years.  

Brick pavers on the other hand give you the best value on costs over 10+ years.  Brick pavers do require some ongoing maintenance like sanding joints & sealing (optional) but these costs are nominal.  The aesthetic value is unmatched by other pavements as you can choose a design maximizing creative design, textures, and colors.  The functional value of brick pavers is the best pavement option for the Midwest's frequent freeze thaw cycle which moves or flexes all pavements during the Winter and early Spring.  I do not care how deep you prepare your base material for any pavement option, the earth will decide what it's going to do!  The beauty of brick pavers is that they have more flexibility to the movements of ground frost than asphalt and cement.  Brick pavers can easily be reset and do not require the replacement of the pavement over the long term.  Properly maintained brick paver applications like patios, walks, and driveways can last over 30 years before replacement may be considered.  

Brick Paver Patio Repair in High Demand for 2021

Canton, Plymouth, & Northville bids for patio repair & restoration soars 

Due to the pandemic, homeowners are requesting more than ever to have their brick paver patios updated, repaired, and restored to accommodate more entertaining and their family relaxing outside.  Brick pavers patios are the most popular outdoor living space throughout Southeast Michigan.  

The most popular style of brick paver patios is the Raised Paver Patio.  This patio is raised off the ground or grade level and is usually supported by modular retaining wall blocks & caps. The are very attractive and functional, but they do require more ongoing maintenance & repair than the basic ground level (grass level) brick paver patio.

The Raised Paver Patio was on fire during the 1990's and 2000's replacing wooden decks as the most designed outdoor living space extension in Metro Detroit.  During my company days, we removed more decks and cement patios than I can count.  Rarely did a homeowner request for a ground level patio.  The Raised Paver Patio design offered a more prominent structure and elegance.  I often would design a Multi-Level Raised Patio that offered some height variety & function for improving the landscape and home appearance.

As 15 years has past, the long-term feedback became apparent with Raised Paver Patios.  They require more upkeep than the traditional ground level paver patio.  The main culprit is the natural climate.  In Southeast Michigan, winter ground frost is that culprit.  Assuming the brick paver contractor installed the paver patio to the standard specifications, routine maintenance & repair like all outdoor structures is still needed. 

Homeowners wanting to entertain for this coming Summer and future years, need their brick paver
patios in top notch condition.  Appearance, safety, and functionality is paramount. Years of neglect and tolerance have gone out the window since this pandemic started in Spring 2020.  Creating an improved outdoor experience and necessity for 2021 is soaring as restoration contractors are overwhelmed with early season leads.  Homeowners are smart to get a jump on having this brick paver repair & restoration work contracted early so they can enjoy their Spring and Summer outside.

Brick Pavers Patio and Steps repair, restoration, and maintenance

Pavers Patios, Steps,Walkways, Driveways, Entrances, and more!

Brick Doctor Bill and Team are wrapping up the 2017 season for brick pavers repair, restoration, cleaning, sealing, and maintenance services as the weather changes in Michigan. 2017 was a promising season for brick pavers as the economic conditions and education about maintenance for brick pavers grows.

Repair & Cleaning

Homeowners not only have some expendable income to restore their brick paver patios, walkways, driveways, or more, they also are receiving better education and knowledge on the yearly maintenance needs for maintaining their brick pavers.  Many homeowners that were able to purchase homes the past five years inherited many neglected and dilapidated brick paver structures that were not maintained over the many years.

These outdoor brick paver structures become a major priority for homeowners as they complete interior projects and these outdoor living spaces not only are a visual blight but become a serious hazard to use.  The outdoor living space is becoming the biggest growth in home improvement projects that homeowners consider in there home projects.

Patio Restored

Hiring a qualified brick paver restoration contractor is very important.  It is not just acceptable to hire a contractor that "installs" brick pavers.  Repair, restoration, and maintenance of brick pavers patios, walks, driveways, entrances, requires a specific skill, experience, and knowledge for an effective result. Many landscape and brick paver installing companies are only interested in installing your paver patio, walks, etc.. but do not offer timely or economical follow up services which are essential to maintain the appearance and performance of your investment.  Installing a new brick pavers structure is a much easier task than rebuilding and restoring an existing brick paver installation.

Patio Sealed

Hiring a qualified and experience brick pavers restoration contractor will save you a lot of unnecessary expense by using your current brick pavers, paver blocks & caps, and base material.  We have great expectations for future years as repair, restoration, and maintenance of brick pavers is better understood and utilized by homeowners. 

Brick Paver Driveway Repair and Restoration

Repair, Cleaning, and Sealing of Pavers Driveway

This past week we performed brick paver repairs and restoration, cleaning & sealing, to a pavers driveway and entrance in St Petersburg, Florida.   This pavers driveway and entrance was installed about 7 years ago but never had any routine pavers maintenance performed.  The homeowner was becoming concerned about the appearance and performance of their brick pavers.The paver repair areas were minor so we were able to reset the brick pavers in a few hours.  The biggest pavers maintenance issue that needed to be addressed was cleaning, re-sanding the paver joints, and sealing of the

brick pavers.


This brick paver driveway had a lot of hard water rust stains from the irrigation system.  We were able to get great results cleaning these hard water stains. Other stains, like oil and grease, were reduced but complete removal is very difficult or cost inhibited.  The best approach to these oil & grease stains is replacement of the brick paver itself.  During the cleaning process, we removed most of the paver joint sand that had been compromised by dirt, debris, vegetation, and moss/ mold.

After cleaning the pavers surfaces and paver joints, we re-installed new paver joint sand.  After tedious sweeping, blowing, and joint touch ups, we applied a generous coat of Seal 'n Lock sealer to give the brick pavers a high quality protection and appearance to this brick pavers driveway.  The customer wanted a "matte" non-gloss, non-slippery finish that would further protect the brick pavers from weathering & etching.  It is highly recommended to have your brick pavers cleaned & sealed every 2-3 years for long-term performance & protection.  The improved visual appearance of the brick pavers is the best benefit for most customers. 

Keeping your brick pavers on a routine pavers maintenance program will insure a life time of performance and enhanced appearance.  Most customers are not educated by the brick paver installer or contractor as to the pavers maintenance needs.  In most cases, the first repair and restoration service we perform costs the most due to the current adverse conditions of the neglected brick pavers. Routine pavers maintenance over the future years should cost less as long as you keep on a 2-3 year pavers maintenance program. 

Over 30 Years Experience In All Our Paver Projects

Brick Pavers Restoration, Repair, Cleaning, & Sealing

The brick pavers industry in Southeast Michigan during 2015 faced a lot of challenges and twists & turns.  After a record Winter, the Detroit Area had a prolonged ground frost that stalled the start of the brick pavers and other pavement projects.  As the ground finally thawed during mid April, the onslaught of severe rainy weather continued well into late Summer.  As Fall weather has been normal, we are finally back on

BEFORE

track as production stays on schedule and restored brick pavers steam ahead for customers looking to improve the safety and appearance of their patio, steps, walks, drives, etc.. .

As weather continued to pound on brick paver contractors and landscaper alike this Spring and Summer, Brick Doctor Bill and crew continued to provide timely and quality brick pavers services for pavers patios, walkways, driveways, pool areas, and more!  Cleaning, sanding, and sealing pavers was faced with many scheduling challenges that only a committed brick pavers full service company can meet.

AFTER

Brick Doctor Bill and crew have committed their resources and experience to providing after market brick pavers restoration services that best meets customer's budget and needs.   Brick pavers require routine maintenance and our company structure offers these services in a timely and affordable manner. Estimates are done within a week and quotes are quickly recommended and detailed.restoration services that best meets customer's budget and needs.

BEFORE

 
We have been a top brick pavers contractor on Angie's List and many other referral sites & services.  Fendt Builder's Supply and Unilock, Inc recommend our brick pavers services with confidence.  We do not print advertise as we receive many referral leads, as well as, internet exposure and reviews.  We are always committed to brick pavers restoration issues and educating you on the proper maintenance and care involved with pavers patios, walkways, driveways, pool areas, and more.

AFTER

We have serviced the Canton, Plymouth, Ann Arbor, Northville, Novi, and  Livonia areas for over 30 years. We only work with interlocking brick pavers application and our experience and expertise shows!  We are a perfect balance of quality & price and our follow up services are unmatched.  Take the right step in restoring the performance, appearance, protection, and structural integrity of your brick pavers today, call Brick Doctor Bill for you house call!

Pavers Driveway Cleaning and Sealing in Bradenton, FL

Brick pavers repair, cleaning, joint sanding, and sealing restores some original beauty!

This past week we completed a pavers driveway restoration project in Bradenton, Florida. Like most brick pavers in the St Petersburg, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, & Sarasota areas, neglect and lack of proper maintenance inhibits the appearance and performance of this exceptional paving surface. With some professional attention to this brick paver driveway, we were able to restore some of its original beauty and long-term performance.

  We began this pavers driveway restoration project by doing some minor touch-up paver repairs by resetting some settled paving stones in the driveway and front paver walk.  We were able to successfully clean the mold, mildew, and organic matter in the joints and paver

surface by performing a high powered power wash cleaning.  By using a surface cleaner and turbo tip powerwash wand, we were able to prep the pavers driveway surface for proper sealing.

We re-sanded the paver joints with the proper paver joint sand, did numerous touch-ups of the joints, and blew off the pavers to remove any reminiscence of joint sand off the paver surface to allow for a clean and quality pavers sealing application.

After cutting in some tight areas, we generously applied with a commercial sprayer the high quality SEAL 'n LOCK Easy Seal brick paver sealant.  Due to the porous and weathered nature of this particular pavers driveway surface, we did apply 2 coats or applications of Easy Seal which normally only requires 1 coat.  Keep in mind that the current condition or porosity of your brick pavers will reflect the amount of paver sealant & applications needed which reflects into the overall job price.

 The end result was an incredible resurgence of the appearance of this brick pavers driveway and walk.  The homeowner was ecstatic about the restoration appearance but we were more concerned about the protection and long-term protection of the brick pavers!  We educated the homeowner on the on going maintenance requirements of their pavers driveway.  Cleaning and sealing of brick pavers should be performed about every 2 years and in between, joint sand sweeping should be performed to keep joints filled that become void from erosion and vehicle/foot traffic. 

Pavers Patio Restored to Original Beauty!

Patio repair, cleaning, sanding, and sealing is performed

This past month we performed a complete restoration of a pavers patio in Livonia, MI.  Due to some neglect and severe Winter frost damage, this paver patio had seen better days.  The homeowner contacted us to see if we can restore this brick pavers patio and paver steps to their original beauty and performance.

BEFORE

We began by performing repair to the brick pavers around the perimeter of the wall block caps and reset
them flush.  The paver steps needed some releveling and adhering of caps to make them safe & functional.  We also ran the power plate compactor over the entire pavers patio to help relock loose brick pavers.

AFTER

Upon completion of the brick paver repairs, we power washed and cleaned all the paving stones, paver joints, wall blocks, and caps.  We resanded the paver joints with regular paver joint sand.  It is highly recommended not to use any poly or bonding sands when sealing your brick pavers.

We returned a couple days later when we where confident all was dry, touched up the paver joints with sand as needed, and applied an approved brick paver sealant.  This customer choose a "wet look" glossy sealer.  We also offer a "matte" satin finish sealer for those customers who do not want the gloss look. Paver sealants will last approximately 2-3 years but most of our repeat customers like to reseal every 2 years to get a fresh new look.

With routine Spring sand sweeping of joint sand and touch-up repairs & plate compacting of the brick pavers, this newly restored pavers patio will remain in pristine condition for a long time.  The performance and appearance will benefit the customer for many years to come!

Brick Pavers Repair, Restoration, Cleaning & Sealing, and Maintenance Programs for 2014

Canton, Plymouth, Northville, and Ann Arbor lead the way in requests for brick paver repairs & restorations 

This past 2013 year, brick pavers and retaining wall repairs, restorations, cleanings, sealings, and maintenance programs gained a lot of ground in the industry.  A growing area for overall brick paver restorations is the Canton, Plymouth, Northville, and Ann Arbor areas.

Due to the booming growth in the 90's for these communities, they experienced the unprecedented installation of brick pavers and retaining walls in there landscape projects.  Now 20 yrs later, the life of these brick paver installations have come full circle.  Lack of maintenance and neglect will greatly reduce the shelf life of any pavement in Michigan.

Poor installations by unqualified landscapers and lack of educating the homeowner of seasonal maintenance requirements greatly contributed to the failure of many paver patios, walks, steps, and driveway installations. The great home foreclosure period we experienced also contributed to the added neglect of paver installations that basically where left for dead.


As the economy slowly improves and job security is more prevalent in these once booming communities, homeowners have focused their attention on restoring their brick pavers.  Whether it is due to appearance or safety issues, homeowners are contacting an experienced and specialized brick paver company. Homeowners want to resurrect their once functional and desirable outdoor living space.


 
Canton, Plymouth, Northville, and Ann Arbor are regaining ground lost from the past 10 yrs. The increased requests for repair and restoration for a homeowners brick pavers has mirrored this stable growth in 2013.  Re-creating that beautiful paver installation you once enjoyed is a feasible possibility if you hire the right  brick pavers contractor for the job! 

Simple Repair & Cleaning of Brick Pavers Patio and Walk in Plymouth, MI

Repairs, Cleaning, Sealing, and Maintenance of Brick Pavers is on fire!

This past week we performed a simple restoration of a brick paver patio and walkway in Plymouth, MI.  This is our most common brick paver service: simple touch-up repairs of sunken or lifted pavers, cleaning of the paving stones and paver joints, re-sanding of the paver joints, and re-gluing or loose block wall or step caps .  Some customers will elect to have sealing of their paver installations but this is completely optional.

This paver patio and walkway was installed about 12 years ago and this was the first attention it received.  The cost for our service on this particular raised paver patio and walk was $1,150.  This price did NOT include sealing with an approved brick paver sealant. Had this customer elected to seal this paver patio & walk, it would have been an additional $400.

All paver restoration jobs are priced custom and require different services and costs.  Repairs are the biggest variable when pricing restoration projects. Paver Step repair or patio wall blocks & caps are usually the most expensive repair to perform.

Cleaning & Sanding is very reasonable when performed during repairs.  The current condition of the paver surface & joints determines the overall cleaning cost.  Sealing is always optional and our costs includes using the "right" paver sealants that run approx. $175/ 5 gallon drum.  Many pseudo contractors are using imitation or the wrong sealers for high density concrete pavers.  I can not tell you how many times customers call me when things go wrong with sealing from other contractors or themselves.

Simple paver patio restorations can bring back the life of your outdoor living space.  Hiring a qualified brick paver contractor, not a landscaper or handy man service, is the first step in getting a quality job done.  The next step is being diligent and not neglecting your brick pavers.

Brick Paver Patio Repair & Redesign in Canton, MI

One of our biggest request this year from homeowners who seek repairs to their brick pavers patios is to redesign the patio to be more functional.  In the past, multi-level raised paver patios were designed with aesthetics in mind but not always functionality.

This brick paver patio in Canton, MI needed some extensive repair to it's settling wall block & cap retaining wall and sunken brick pavers.  The homeowner was also frustrated with the design because it functioned like 2 small patios instead of one large one.  After placing their patio furniture and outdoor accents, they found flow of traffic very difficult.  When entertaining friends & family, most people had to
co-mingle in the yard.

My recommendation was for us to raise the lower ground level area of the paver patio to the raised or elevated portion.  We re-used most of the current paver products and obtained additional wall blocks, caps, and some more paving stones to complete this redesign.

Repairs and releveling was performed to the elevated portion of this paver patio and the new raised patio area was made flush to create one larger and functional outdoor living space.  The homeowner was very happy with the final product and immediately ordered some new patio furniture so they could entertain and enjoy Summer sunsets.

One of the major advantages of brick pavers is it's versatility and opportunity to make changes or repairs without any obvious signs or flaws.

3, 2, 1, ...Let's GO! Brick Paver Repairs

As Michigan flutters between Winter & Spring this week, the rush by homeowners to begin there Spring projects is ready to explode.  The anticipation of Winter ground frost exiting the earth is teasing and slow this March in Southeast Michigan.  Once it is clear, the seasonal madness of brick paver repair, installation, cleaning & sealing, and maintenance will begin!

Each day the weather is warm or sunny, my phone line is busy.  Each day the weather is snowy & gray, my leads come to a halt!  The reality is that Spring is coming soon and to wait will only delay a homeowner's time frame for having their brick paver restoration project completed.

Many proactive homeowners have contacted or contracted with us since late January to insure an April or May completion of work.  The position on the calendar is more important than the current weather outside.  Spring will come fast! 

From 0 to 60 we will be in full brick paver production in a few weeks.  As always, if you require some type of brick paver repair or installation services, hire a qualified and reputable brick paver contractor over an inexperienced landscape contractor or handy man service.  See you soon!

Snow Removal for Brick Pavers

Brick Paver Driveways, Walkways, Front Entrances, Parking areas, and Porches

As snow begins to fall here this Winter in Ann Arbor, it reminds me of one of the popular questions asked by homeowners..."can I use my snow blower or have my brick pavers driveway plowed?"  The answer is Yes.  Brick Pavers can be treated like any other pavement.

Most brick pavers have beveled or angled edges that help create a continuance smooth surface.  Any pavers that are lifted or sticking up prior to Winter should be repaired.  You want to avoid any "lippage" which is the occurrence of paver edges sticking up from another paver.  This "lip" can be caught by shovels, snow blowers, and snow plows.  Lippage also occurs with cement slab cracks & relief joints and cracks & large ruts in asphalt.  Due to Winter ground frost, the occurrence of any lifting can not be avoided.

Below are some key items to help you avoid any damage or scarring to your brick pavers, stamped or textured concrete and stamped asphalt. 

Home snow blowers usually do not damage any pavement surfaces.  The smaller ones usually have rubber paddles to avoid scarring or scratches.  The larger snow blowers with "auger like" rotating blades are usually design to avoid any scarring or gouging. Make sure you consult with the dealer that you purchase these snow blowers from to insure they do not damage surfaces. So, snow blowing or shoveling brick pavers is usually of no concern.

Snow plowing of brick paver driveways, lots, street scapes,or parking areas may require some more special attention.  Snow plowing blades that are metal can scratch, gouge, chip, or damage brick pavers. A common issue is leaving some rust stains too. This is no different that what these blades can do to cement, stamped concrete, asphalt, etc.. . No plowing contractor can guarantee that signs of plowing will not occur.

There are a couple of solutions that can minimize if not avoid any signs of damage or scratching to your brick pavers. Keep in mind that these options are not always readily available from snow plowing contractors.  In most cases, these options will cost you alittle more in expense.

The first solution is to hire a plowing contractor that will use a rubber or polyurethane blade on their plow.  Rubber blades easily adjust to irregular road surfaces & pavement without scarring, gouging, or leaving rust stains.  Polyurethane blades which are commonly used at airports is resilient, and therefore absorbs impacts and conforms to the surface being plowed rather than damaging the plowing surface, making it the ideal choice for use on concrete, brick, pavers, cobblestone, or any other uneven surface.

The second solution is to hire a plowing contractor that will use a skidsteer (tractor) or truck with a large rotating broom or brush.  Though this practice is more common in commercial or municipal applications, most plowing contractors do have this type of equipment.  The one negative to this option is that the plowing process must be done with less inches of snow fall.  So in turn, you may have to pay for more "plowings" than the standard truck snow plowing.  Also, in residential applications, the skidsteer or tractor will need to be trailed over each time adding to the cost.

In conclusion, brick pavers can be treated much like other pavement surfaces.  If you are concerned with any unnecessary damages or scars, then pursue the options above.  Keep in mind that one of the biggest advantages of brick pavers over concrete, stamped concrete, and asphalt is that any individual pavers that are damaged can easily be replaced with no signs of repair or replacement. 

The "Interlock" in Interlocking Brick Pavers

High Density Concrete Paving Stones were developed to achieve proper Interlock

Brick pavers made from high density concrete have been a popular paving option for almost 35 years in the United States.  Pavers were first widely used as walkways or paths.  They quickly evolved into functional and aesthetically pleasing patios.  As pavers have matured in the market place, the use of residential driveways and municipal city scapes & parks have grown exponentially.

Today, I am still amazed how many homeowners and even contractors, do not understand how interlocking brick pavers work.  Often I go on estimates where homeowners do not believe they actually have interlocking brick pavers, when in fact they do.

 Most homeowners believe that the only interlocking brick paver is the one that are key shaped or has several angled sides.  They believe that they lock together like a jig saw puzzle piece. The most popular shape for brick paver installations is the traditional 4" by 8" rectangle shape.  Laid in a herringbone pattern offers the best performing interlock or lock-up.

The simple truth is that the "Interlocking"of brick pavers is achieved by the method they are installed.  Below is a definition of "Interlock" described by the Intelocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI):

"Frictional forces between paving units that prevent them from rotating, or moving horizontally or vertically in relation to each other, also defined as the inability of a concrete paver to move independently of it neighbors.  The friction forces enable load transfer among the paving units." 

 "The three kinds of load transfer are vertical interlock, horizontal interlock, and rotational interlock.  Vertical interlock is achieved by shear transfer of loads to surrounding units through sand in the joints. Horizontal interlock is primarily achieved through the use of laying patterns that disperse forces from braking and accelerating vehicles.  Rotational interlock  is maintained by the pavers being of sufficient thickness & density, placed closely together, and being restrained by a stationary edge restraint on the borders."

  To achieve the above  interlock or lock-up needed for a high performing paving stone pavement, the method of installing brick pavers is essential. It is the installation process that achieves interlock. Without boring you with all the minor installation details, below explains how we accomplish the three "Interlock" load transfers with brick pavers.

First you install a compacted crushed stone base to the proper specifications recommended  for the particular paver installation  (patio, walk, driveway, etc..).  A strong base will aid in Vertical interlock by transfering "load" back to the paver units.  A strong base will keep the paver units from settling or sinking into the ground and allow the paver units to spread the load between them.

Second you install a sand bedding or leveling course by spreading it over the compacted base approx. 1-1.5" thick.  You will then "screed" (level) the bedding course with the proper heights & pitch that is needed for the final product. You will then lay the paver units over the bedding course in the design & laying pattern determined. After all cut ins are complete and the edge restraint is installed, joint sand will be swept into the joints.

Then the most important step in installing brick pavers will be performed.  You will run the power plate compactor over the paver units in several passes and angles.  Here is where Horizontal interlock occurs.  As the power plate compactor runs over the pavers units, if vibrates several pavers down at the same time.  As the paver units are pushed down into the bedding course..."Jet up" or lock-up of the pavers will occur.  This locks the brick pavers horizontally keeping them from shifting side-to-side.


The final step is to finish sweep all the paver joints with more joint sand.  Rotational interlock is accomplished by butting pavers up to each other, not leaving an excessive gap between each paver units.  This will avoid any "rocking" back and forth of an individual paver unit.  It is also accomplished in the planning stage of selecting the proper thickness, laying pattern, and density of pavers. Specifying the proper paver unit , design, & laying pattern for the particular application is essential.

In summary, the shape of your brick paver unit does not exclude it from the interlocking brick paver application.  The methods of installation will allow any shape or composition (clay, concrete, rubber, asphalt) of pavers to "interlock" into place.

Improvement to Brick Paver Porch Enhances Curb Appeal in Ann Arbor

Brick Paver Porches and Steps are becoming the new normal

Ahh..the dreaded traditional American Porch. The staple of most homes throughout the United States.  The most visible structure on homes that makes or breaks your overall home curb appeal.  In the last 15 years there has been a shift from the traditional mortared brick & concrete slab porches to the more popular flexible brick paver porch and steps.

Porches & Steps come in many different sizes, dimensions, heights, and materials.  But brick paver blocks, caps, & paving stone structures are offering the best long-term performance & maintenance cost.  Offering many different shapes, colors, textures, and cost options, brick paver porches and steps have been replacing the old traditional American staple. 

In an early post, I spelled out the different options for having a brick paver porch and steps installed at your home.  A qualified and experienced brick paver contractor will properly propose the best brick paver porch and step option that best meets your needs & budget.

This current porch project we did in Ann Arbor this past week not only improved the curb appeal appearance of this home, it drastically improved the overall performance of the porch.  The past installing contractor improperly mortared high density concrete pavers around the perimeter.  Not only was it unsightly, but the loose bricks had made it a trip hazard.  Over the last 5 years, the homeowner had to have these paving stones repaired twice.  It was now going to be the third time when they contacted me for a better option.


I had a very easy solution for them.  We would remove all of the top layer of brick pavers, install a paver block coping unit as the outside frame, and install new similar paving stones to replace the old weathered pavers.  This way the whole porch will have a new look at a reasonable price.

The homeowner was very pleased with the final restoration of their porch.  The new paver porch is structurally sound and safe.  It is important to hire an experienced contractor that considers the long-term ramifications of the products & design of their installations.  This homeowner had learned the hard way but now can relax and spend budgeted funds in other home improvement areas.

Severely Neglected Brick Paver Walkways are Restored

Homeowner was overwhelmed and gave up on Brick Pavers but we did not!

Upon my arrival to this bid, I really did not think the homeowner was serious in restoring these brick paver walkways since they had been severely neglected.  It is not the first time I have witnessed such disregard of maintaining brick pavers, but the extent of neglect was severe.



 The good news was that we can restore these paver walks to there original beauty & function.  The homeowner had doubts but I assured her that it may even look better than the day it was installed. Our goal is to bring back the homeowner's confidence for using brick pavers that they originally believed in.

The homeowner had maintained these walkways for many years, but over the past few years many personal situations became more priority.  The homeowner was unaware that any contractor offered a seasonal maintenance program for brick pavers.  Their past brick paver installer was not interested in addressing any paver repair or cleaning services. In fact, they never even got back with an estimate on restoring the current pavers.  This is where my crew and I stepped in and came to the rescue!


When brick pavers are in this condition, it is imperative that they be completely lifted up and re-installed.  The organic matter from the weeds, grass, and soils in the joints have to be completely removed.  We concluded that @60% of the brick paver walks on this job site needed complete re-installation.  The other stretches of pavers needed paver surface & joint cleaning, new joint sand, re-compaction, and touch-up repairs.

 We also removed all the raised plastic edge restraint and replaced with the tired-and-true hidden cement bead.  Michigan frost does a number on edge restraints and after 30 years, the hidden cement bead edge restraint has performed the best.  Also, it is the easiest & least costly to repair if needed .



The end result of this paver restoration project was total redemption for brick pavers!  The homeowner who has been strong through her challenging times, was very emotional about the results we achieved.  We will be returning next Spring to perform Phase 2 restoring a paver patio & additional paver walks.  At that time, we will perform our Spring maintenance service on the completed Phase 1.  The homeowner is pleased to know that we will be there to maintain for future years and she can avoid any costly restoration expenses.