Paver Patio Restoration in Canton, MI

Cleaning and Sealing Brick Pavers Patios

Our most common brick paver restoration service is cleaning and sealing of brick pavers patios.  This brick pavers patio we restored in Canton, MI this past Fall. The pavers patio had some minor touch up repairs but for the most part it needed some attention to its appearance and paver joints.


Mold and organic growth had overtaken over the brick paver joints and surfaces. The paver joints had many voided spots due to lack of maintenance and attention over the years. The brick pavers and paver joints were thoroughly cleaned and then we re-sanded the joints with regular paver joint sand.

We then sealed with a high quality matte finish brick paver sealant which helped stabilized the joint sand and enhanced the color & protection of the brick paver surface.

We educated the homeowner on the the routine maintenance requirements and signed them up for our Spring Service program.  As a new routine customer service policy, we returned approx. a month later to do an inspection and courtesy "touch up" service for the joint sand.

Brick paver patios can be the outdoor living space that you imagined when you purchased your home. Do not give up just get it restored to its original beauty and function!

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. 

Simple Pavers Patio Repair and Restoration in Plymouth

Before

Repair, Cleaning, and Sealing of brick pavers patio brings new life

This simple pavers patio in Plymouth, MI was restored this past summer to the delight of the homeowner.  Once left for dead due to neglect and many years of winter frost damage, this brick pavers patio still had enough life for us to bring it back to its original beauty and performance.

So many of our clients believe there is no hope for repairing and restoring their brick pavers patios, walkways, and driveways but hope can happen and we are just the company to perform this magic! 



 

Before

The biggest selling point about brick pavers is that we can in most cases re-use the existing pavers.  With repair & releveling, cleaning, re-sanding joints, and sealing these brick pavers, we can bring back from the ashes the appearance and strong structure that once graced the outdoor living space. 

 

AFTER

Performing this brick pavers restoration requires experience and more expertise than an original installation.  The challenges for a qualified brick paver contractor are numerous and should not be put in the hands of a handy man or landscaper.  Nothing can replace knowledge and experience when it comes to brick paver repair, cleaning, & sealing. 

Pavers Patio & Step Repair and Restoration

Brick pavers repair, cleaning, and sealing brings this Pavers Patio and Step in Canton, MI back alive!

This raised brick pavers patio  in Canton, MI needed some real attention.  After years of neglect and no paver maintenance, this pavers patio and paver step was beginning to show serious signs of failure and poor appearance. This patio and step was becoming a safety hazard for tripping.



We assured the homeowner that all is not lost and we can repair and restore their raised brick paver patio and paver step back to its glory days!  We reset and releveled the brick pavers and paver step where needed,  re-compacted the pavers to help relock an loose paving stones, did a professional cleaning, re-sanding all paver joints with regular paver joint sand, and sealed with an approved brick paver sealant which gave great color enhancement, surface protection, and joint (sand) stabilization.

Upon completion of this raised pavers patio and step repair & restoration, the homeowners where very pleased and amazed of the transformation from the old & neglected patio to the new and improved outdoor living space.


Now with minor routine (yearly) maintenance and attention, this raised brick paver patio and step will look beautiful for many decades!  We advised the homeowner to have the patio and walk sealed every 2-3 years and keep joint sand in the joints at all times.

Brick Pavers Patio Repair, Cleaning, & Sealing begins for Spring 2016

Restoration and Spring Maintenance for paver patio in Canton starts the new season

Brick Doctor Bill and Team has started the 2016 season with a brick pavers patio & walkway repair, cleaning, & sealing.  Contacting a qualified and experienced brick paver contractor is crucial to a successful and rewarding experience having your paver patio and walkway restored.

Before

This raised brick paver patio in Canton, MI is well over 12years old and required some immediate attention and restoration.  The upper level brick pavers had sunk below the height of the outside raised patio wall blocks & caps, therefore water could not drain off the patio and creating a serious trip hazard.  The paver step leading into the doorwall had fallen apart and due to the lack of any routine maintenance, weeds & dirt had taken over the brick paver joints.


Brick Doctor Bill and Team lifted up the entire upper level paver surface, recompacted the existing base, added additional base to raise & relevel the patio for proper drainage, rebuilt the brick paver step at doorwall, and secured any area of the outside raised patio wall blocks & caps that were loose.

AFTER

After we performed the brick paver repairs listed above, we cleaned the brick pavers, wall blocks & caps, and paver joints to prep for sealing.  We finished this brick paver patio restoration by sealing the entire structure with an approved brick paver sealant.

The client can now enjoy the beauty and functionality of this raised brick pavers patio that is was intended to perform.  Do not wait to call a qualified brick paver contractor to have your patio repaired or restored before it deteriorates even more or becomes a safety hazard.  After restored, some nominal maintenance cost or time each Spring will insure long-term performance and appearance.

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!

Brick Pavers repair, cleaning, sealing, & maintenance has sprung in Michigan!

Restoration of pavers patios, walks, steps, & driveways performed in Canton,Plymouth,Northville, and Livonia, MI

The ground is thawing in Michigan and the ever expanding nature of pavements, such as, interlocking brick pavers, begin to stress under this Spring occurrence.  Pushed to the limit, brick pavers will look wavy, pushed up, or contorted.  Our clients who we educate that this is a normal and natural event needs to exhibit some patience before getting discouraged about the performance of their brick paver patios, walks, steps, driveways, etc.. 

Easter is here and we will begin the inspection and bidding process later this week. To properly assess any need for paver repairs to damaged or failed brick pavers, the ground frost must have exited the ground below to make an accurate estimate.

Brick pavers maintenance is a growing need for our clients and we reward them (and us) by contacting them each March regarding our yearly brick paver services available.  We start every Spring by offering to service OUR CLIENTS first!  We contact our clients prior to doing any estimating of new business to allow them to get on our schedule.  Aside from touch-up repairs or the releveling of the pavers, we offer the following brick pavers services each Spring: 

We begin each Spring season offering our valued clients our Spring Sand Sweeping and Compacting service.  We re-compact their brick pavers using a plate compacting machine to help re-lock the brick pavers and hopefully knock back down any pavers left sticking up.  We then finish with sweeping regular paver joint sand over their pavers to help refill any voided joints from the Winter snow, ice, & thaw.  Keeping paver joints filled is the number one maintenance need of brick pavers to help avoid erosion, shifting, & weed growth.

The next popular service we offer each Spring is Cleaning, Sanding, and Compacting of our clients brick paver patios, walks, driveways, etc..  This valuable service just adds cleaning of the brick paver surface and joints.  Clients usually take advantage of this service every 2 years as dirt, moss, mildew, or vegetation growth may reappear.


Brick Paver Sealing is becoming our largest growing service over the last 5 years as customers want to restore the original look and preserve the appearance of their paver patios, walks, and driveways.

Cleaning, sanding, & compacting is always included in this sealing service, so basically, its a total restoration of your brick pavers. Sealing of brick pavers is usually performed every 2-3 years depending on your personal preference of  their appearance. 

We offer these valuable services to ALL clients, old and new.  Once you have become one of our clients, you will get priority each Spring to have your brick pavers maintained and preserved to your liking for many years to come!  This is our goal and this is our business!

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.

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!

How Deep Freeze effects Brick Pavers

Brick Pavers are designed to withstand the effects of Winter Freeze Thaw Cycles

As a deep freeze comes over Ann Arbor, it reminds me of the advantages that Interlocking Brick Pavers offer.  All pavements are tested this time of year.  The expansion of the subgrade and actual paverment materials will test the strength of concrete, asphalt, and pavers.

When we are talking about Winter Frost, we are not talking about frost on your car windshields or frost on the lawn. We are referring to the actually freezing of the ground or soil below.  In Ann Arbor, MI, it is typical for the ground or soil below to freeze on average of 3ft deep in a normal Winter. 

The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) defines "Winter Frost" or "Frost Action" as the "freezing and thawing of moisture in pavement materials and resultant effects on them".  Northern United States, Canada, and most of Northern Europe experience the devastating effects of Winter freeze thaw cycles.

The ICPI defines "Frost Heave" as the "raising of a pavement surface due to the accumulation and expansion of ice in the underlying soil or rock".  Heaving or "humping up" of pavement or pavement slabs is a common occurrence.  I see slabs of concrete lift making lips or toe catchers at cracks or relief cuts.  Asphalt or brick pavers will stretch or hump up creating a pimple like bump or pot hole.

Brick pavers have always offered the best performance to the effects of Winter Frost.  First, brick pavers offer the best Freeze Thaw durability testing.  Pavers have the least absorption rate of moisture when totally immersed in water.  Second, the installation of brick pavers requires the most stringent use of base materials below.  Normal poured concrete and asphalt installations require only a fraction of the use of base materials that brick pavers specify.



The biggest advantage of interlocking brick pavers is the low cost of repairs compared to the other pavements. By properly designing, installing, and maintaining a brick paver project, an experienced brick paver contractor can increase your long-term success and performance of your pavers.

Winter Frost or Mother Nature can NOT be totally defeated.  There is no thing as a "permanent" solution.  Every pavement has a life cycle and brick pavers is your best option. Brick pavers can easily be restored at a nominal cost.  The advantage of re-using the paving stones offers the unique advantage that poured concrete, stamped concrete, or asphalt can't offer.

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.

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.

Raised Paver Patio Repaired After Collapse

Elevated Brick Paver Patios need special attention to avoid expensive repairs

This Raised Brick Pavers Patio in Belleville, MI had a severe collapse of its outer retaining wall block & cap.  The brick pavers above sank and washed out making this patio virtually unusable and unsightly.  Finally, the wall blocks & caps fell over this Summer and this brick pavers patio was at a great risk of deteriorating further.

The homeowner noticed about a year after this pavers patio was installed by an inexperienced landscaper that the wall blocks & caps were leaning out.  The outer rows of brick pavers behind the wall caps had sunk lower than the height of the caps.  The homeowner ignored this sign of stress for the pavers patio and eventually he sits here today with a costly repair.

I pointed out to the homeowner that this particular wall block & cap system was not the proper retaining wall system for a raised pavers patio.  This particular wall block the landscaper used is for low height landscape or gardenwalls around the landscape to border beds or create accents.  When the correct modular retaining wall system is used and properly installed, raised pavers patios will give you the best economical performance over the years.

 For raised paver patios, a strong engineered modular retaining wall system must be implemented.   The cost to replace ALL the current wall blocks for a more sophisticated wall system was too cost inhibited for the homeowner so he elected to reconstruct the paver patio with the same products.   With low cost routine maintenance, he will save money then totally replacing the old wall blocks & caps.

My crew and I reconstructed the outside retaining wall for this patio from the ground up, compacting each layer as we go, and filling any voids.  The brick pavers above were pulled up a few feet into the patio and re-installed in the same shape & design.  The end result was a total revival of this homeowner's pavers patio!  We performed several other touch-up repairs to the patio, steps, and walk.  We also cleaned the pavers and re-sanded with new joint sand.

I took the time to explain to the homeowner that even though the landscaper made a huge miscalculation of  using this product, his own neglect to address the early signs of stress contributed to the severe condition and collapse of this pavers patio.  I explained that any time the outside row of pavings stones sink below the height of the wall cap, they must be reset to allow water to flow over the top of the caps, not behind and under them!

Push to complete Fall Brick Paver Restorations in Full Gear

Completing Paver Repairs prior to Winter in Michigan is Essential

Our Fall season push for completing Brick Paver repair, sanding, cleaning, and sealing is in full gear.  Fall restoration of paver patios, walkways, driveways, paver steps, etc.. is essential to be completed prior to late Fall rains & Winter ground frost.  Both rain and ground frost are the biggest contributors to expanding the occurrence and size of paver repairs.

Compromised or settled brick pavers & retaining walls are stretched to their limits if left unattended or not properly reset.  Water flowing into settled pavers areas & paver joints results in face paced erosion and further damage.  Winter ground frost will heave and expand the structure and if the brick pavers or retaining walls are not properly set,  the whole interlocking paver system will begin to fail.

Before

When I am bidding in the Fall, I often hear the response from homeowners that "we may wait until next Spring to have this done".  This can be a costly mistake.  Aside from the compromised areas increasing in size and thus more labor or material costs, Fall prices are usually less than Spring prices for services.  Most brick paver and landscape contractors in Michigan are slowing up in demand for services in the Fall.  Once Spring arrives, the demand is incredibly high and the pencil is not so sharp! 

After

I also explain to my customers that usually after Jan 1, our renewals for businesss, auto, workmans comp,& liability insurance occur. These costs are always rising.  Crew member wages usually increase beginning each Spring too. Labor is the largest cost variable in our brick paver services.

This past week we performed some brick pavers restorations that not only improved the performance & appearance of their pavers, but insured that their cost for repairs will not increase by waiting until Spring.  When Spring arrives, these homeowners will enjoy their newly restored pavers and not have to wait to have done when the weather breaks.  Most important is the cost savings having done in the Fall versus the Spring!

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.

Brick Pavers gaining recognition by Pavement Industry

Interlocking pavers were once seen as a luxury item but now are a viable pavement solution

Interlocking brick pavers are becoming an increasingly viable & economical solution for residential, commercial, and municipal applications.  When properly designed & installed, interlocking concrete pavers will not only offer aesthetically pleasing appearance but offer substantially reduced long-term maintenance & replacement costs compared to poured concrete & asphalt.

These advantages that brick pavers offer have gained recognition throughout the pavement industry in the United States.  With almost 60 years of experience & feedback from Europe, Australia, & Canada, the interlocking paving stone's structural integrity, shapes, colors, textures, and permeability have greatly improved.  Education for architects, engineers, manufacturers, contractors, and the general public have contributed to the proper applications, designs, and installation techniques that best offers long-term success & performance.

The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institue (ICPI) released an article in their February 2012 magazine that states the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International has approved a new standard practice for rating the condition of interlocking concrete pavements.  The ASTM International develops international standards for materials, products, systems and services used in construction, manufacturing, and transportation.  Their guidelines are strictly used by the brick paver industry to insure maximum performance.


ASTM E2840-11 was added to an existing rating method known as the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) used for evaluating existing concrete & asphalt pavement conditions.  The ICPI was the driving force that proposed including interlocking concrete pavers for pavement management & data.  

ASTM E2840-11 provides private & commercial project owners and municipalities specific guidance for required maintenance needs & costs and rating severity of current conditions & distresses.  It is amazing how over the last 30 years, so many city street scape projects extensively used interlocking brick pavers but have left them for dead due to lack of maintenance & neglect.


One of the best advantages of including interlocking brick pavers into the PCI rating system with poured concrete & asphalt is that now a more accurate comparison can be made between these alternative pavements.  Evaluating long-term performance &  maintenance costs will especially help municipalities for future projects.  It will also help guide in setting maintenance budgets and schedules.


It is very important that the public is aware that there are standards set in the brick paver & modular retaining wall industry.  There needs to be minimum requirements for products, designs, base materials, and installation techniques to insure long-term success and satisfaction for any paving stone project.  Too often, inexperienced or uneducated contractors install paver patios, walkways, driveways, etc... that only result in failure and client frustration.

Interlocking brick pavers are gaining more and more momentum in the pavement industry.  In the past it was considered a luxury item because of the upfront higher cost versus  poured concrete & asphalt.  Stamped concrete cost is usually the same or more than interlocking brick pavers.  But when you factor in long-term maintenance & replacement costs, interlocking brick pavers are the most economical solution by far. When you factor in the flexibility of designs, colors, textures, and function, there is no comparison either!