Showing posts with label clay pavers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clay pavers. Show all posts

Apr 28, 2012

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!

Dec 16, 2011

Brick Paver Repair in Downtown Saline, MI

This Fall my crew and I did a brick paver repair project in Downtown Saline, Michigan.  Due to safety and aesthetic issues, we replaced old mortared brick paver strips with a new dry laid clay paver installation.  After years of repairing distressed and faulting areas, it was time to properly install paving stones as originally intended.

The existing mortared clay paving stones where set on an impermeable base material, mortar & concrete, that  did not allow for drainage or winter frost flexibility.  The result was extreme heaving and cracking of the mortared joints. The clay pavers where lifted and wavy causing a tripping hazard for pedestrians.

My crew and I removed the existing mortared pavings stones, removed the mortared and cemented base material, installed a proper draining  base material, and re-installed new high density clay pavers. The final product was a safe and long-term solution to the ongoing brick paver maintenance needs.

The result was a low maintenance cost  for the paver repair and restoration of these paving stone strips.  Commercial uses of brick pavers create some challenges that you do not see in residential applications.  The excessive use of de-icing chemicals and lack of routine maintenance  accelerate the need for costly paver repair and restoration.



As a qualified brick paver contractor for over 29 years, I highly recommend that any paving stone design should never include strips of paving stones in between cement pads.  Interlocking pavers better perform in areas larger than 3ft by 3ft.  Small brick borders, strips, and pads will not properly perform over time.  If architects and engineers would consult with installation contractors first, designs and paver installation projects would be more successful.