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.  

Raised Brick Paver Patio Rebuild in Plymouth MI

Experience is essential when doing Brick Paver Patio rebuilds

This past month we did a total rebuild and restoration of a Raised Brick Paver Patio in Plymouth, MI.  After 15 years of brutal winter frost / freeze thaw cycles, poor original installation, lack of routine maintenance, and just plain total neglect, we were able to bring this brick paver patio and steps back to life!

All the brick pavers and paver blocks & caps were lifted up and rebuilt to similar shape, design, and dimensions.  Any loose original base material was re-compacted and additional base material was added to raise, relevel, and properly repitch from the house.  

Deconstructing the current brick paver patio is a planned method and a strategy that we have developed over the years to maximize the re-use and function of the current products.  

Great care is taken to insure that products can be re-utilized and properly reconstruct the paver patio to its original design and beauty.  

After careful base prep and optimized heights are determined, the original brick pavers and paver blocks & caps are re-installed.

After the raised brick paver patio was totally reconstructed using the same brick pavers and paver blocks & caps, we cleaned and sealed to complete the restoration project.  See the results that you can have for your brick paver patio, walk, steps, driveway, and more!

Our brick paver company is one of the top rebuild and restoration brick paver contractors in Metro Detroit.  This is our signature work and our specialty.  Hiring the right brick paver company is essential for getting the best work & service done when repairing & restoring brick pavers.

Pavers Patio Replaces Old Concrete Patio in Canton, MI

Brick Pavers create a new Beautiful & Functional Patio and Step

The number one request we receive when installing brick pavers is replacing old, cracked, sunken, and deteriorated concrete patios, steps, and walks.  In Canton, MI this month we replaced this unsightly cement patio that drastically sloped back to the house, resulting in water problems around the foundation.  Because the cement patio had sunk, the rise on the cement step was over 12" and causing a safety issue.  It was time for the homeowner to address this unsightly and unsafe outdoor living space.

The homeowner was referred to us by a couple of clients that we had installed pavers patios for over the past few years.  The homeowner did get a couple of quotes from other brick paver contractors in the local area but they did not compare to us in ideas, dependability, and confidence.  Our price was in the middle of the 2 other contractors but the homeowner had complete confidence in our expertise and professionalism.  We did not disappoint!

After removing the old concrete patio & step, we prepped the base material and established the new height of the pavers patio and step.  Not only did we create the proper pitch from the house foundation, but we built the new pavers patio slightly above grade (yard level) to allow proper drainage off the patio.  Using extra base material to set the height, the patio had the appearance of a raised pavers patio without the cost of installing a retaining wall block & cap.

We transitioned the height of the pavers patio with the existing lawn height by stripping an additional 3-4ft of lawn.  We installed topsoil from the outside row of pavers gradually down to the lawn height. This created a new raised landscape bed for the customer to plant dwarf bushes, perennials, or annuals and cover with an organic mulch or stone mulch.  We also installed some flagstone paths off the pavers patio through the landscape beds to allow access into the yard.  You can just install grass, sod or seed, instead of a landscape bed but keep in mind it will have some slope.

The new pavers step was constructed with solid modular retaining wall block & caps.  This helps prevent any ongoing repair to brick paver inlays.  The only drawback is your paver steps or landing must be rectangular and not curved.  We created comfortable and safe 7" rises from the doorwall down to the paver block step and from the paver block step down to the pavers patio.

The homeowner took advantage of increasing the size of the new pavers patio to better facilitate there outdoor living space needs.  The popular "kidney" shaped design met their needs while softening the angles on the home.  The actual size of the patio was determined by placing all the furniture, grill, fire pit, etc.. out and outlining the needed space.  The outline can be executed by using marking paint, stakes, or the garden hose.

We properly installed this new pavers patio and step by meeting or exceeding all industry specifications of installing brick pavers.  The design was both aesthetically pleasing and functional.  The homeowner was educated on future maintenance requirements to insure long-term performance.  The end result was a completely satisfied homeowner and a proud brick pavers owner & crew!

Simple and Beautiful Raised Brick Pavers Patio Installed

Brick Doctor Bill and crew installed this simple & beautiful Raised Pavers Patio in Scio Township, MI this past month.  We removed old wooden decks for 2 other family members of this homeowner and replaced their decks with functional, low maintenance, and creative raised brick paver patios.

 This homeowner did not currently have any outdoor living space structures and wanted us to build them a spectacular patio that they will enjoy for many years to come.  Entertainment space and traffic flow were key factors in the homeowner's needs for a paver patio.

We discussed in detail their needs and budget.  We designed and executed a simple design with some creative touches using patterns, colors, and functional paver pads.  We designed a  permanent set of Paver Steps out from their Four Seasons room that transitioned safely down to the newly installed paver patio.

Due to the large back yard, we designed a 500+ sq.ft raised paver patio area that would facilitate patio furniture, loungers, and space for entertaining.  We designed some functional paver pad areas down from the raised patio space to facilitate a grill, smoker, and decorative fire pit.  This design of added paver areas off the raised paver patio helps with traffic flow and comfort.  All of our brick paver installations are custom designed for needs & budgets.


This raised paver patio has a popular "kidney" shaped design and we custom cut each and every wall cap.  Using the traditional Holland 4X8 paving stone laid in a herringbone pattern gives this patio a dramatic look at an economical cost.  The homeowner upgraded to Fendt's Spectrum series color in the paving stones to give deep pigment color appearance.  We used a contrasting lighter color in the Wall blocks & caps framing the raised pavers patio and paver steps.  Not only did this give some dramatic contrasts but it also aids in safety.


When a raised paver patio is properly installed by a qualified brick pavers contractor, the end result in detail, execution, and construction is superior. Design, products & tools, proper compaction, and precise saw cutting all contribute to the overall success of a brick paver installation.  Long-term performance is optimal when both contractor and homeowner are educated on seasonal maintenance requirements too.

Raised Paver Patio, Steps, and Planters Revitalizes Pool Area

Interlocking Brick Pavers and Modular Retaining Wall Blocks and Caps are versatile

This past year we were hired to transform this backyard poolside area. The current homeowner inherited this eyesore when they purchased the home 3 years ago.  Though they were satisfied with the current layout, it was time for us to replace the old deteriorating clay pavers, rotting timber planters, and unsafe steps.

I suggested we use FENDT Country Manor blocks & caps to construct new paver steps and planter retaining walls.  We used the traditional 4"X8" shaped FENDT Holland paver to replace the old cracking & chipping clay paving stones used for the raised patio.

We discussed in detail the pros and cons of replacing the cement areas around the built in pool. Since the cement was still in good shape and properly pitched away from the pool, we jointly decided to keep the current concrete in for now. We decided that replacing the cement with paving stones would be a phase 2 project in the future.

We did power wash clean the cement areas to give it an improved appearance and polymeric sanded some open joints & minor cracks. We did saw cut out some small cement areas to install paver pad transition areas and modify the planter wall layout.

As seen from the photos, the transformation of this poolside area is dramatic.  Interlocking pavers and modular retaining wall blocks & caps create beauty, functionality, and low future maintenance & replacement costs. 

New Life for Raised Brick Paver Patio

Raised Paver Patio in Canton Restored

Each day we are restoring Raised Brick Paver Patios in Canton that need immediate attention. Mainly due to the lack of routine long-term maintenance by homeowners over the last 15+ years, these interlocking paving stone patios have shifted & loosened over years of neglect & lack of joint sand sweepings. My team and I not only perform repair, cleaning, & sealing services, but we take the time to educate the homeowner on avoiding future costly repair costs.

If the paving stones, wall blocks, and caps are loose or drastically shifted, then the paver patio is in much need of attention.  Often the first sign of trouble is lack of paver joint sand in the paving joints. Weeds, dirt, moss, and grass take over the joints which are the most important function of interlocking brick pavers.

Another sign of distress is the "leaning out" of modular retaining wall blocks & caps that retain the patio.  Much of the "leaning" is caused by the settling of the paving stones behind the cap. When these paving stones settle below the top of the cap, water flowing over the patio begins to channel behind the wall blocks.  This slow long-term erosion and freeze thaw cycle pressure puts alot of hydrostatic pressure on the strength of the wall.  Mother nature will always win out so it is important to address these signs in a timely manner.

But not all is lost!  This particular raised paver patio in Canton was restored by my team and I for just under $2,000. We had to completely relay ALL the paving stones inside the wall blocks & caps, adjust an area of wall blocks, adhere all loose caps, and reconstruct the step at the doorwall.  We power wash cleaned the entire paver patio and swept in regular paver joint sand to prep for sealing with an approved brick paver sealant.

This particular homeowner inherited this distressed raised paver patio a few years ago when he purchased the home.  Had the original homeowner been diligent in maintaining the patio over the years, the enormous cost of repairs could have been minimal. Like any outdoor structures or pavements, touch-ups and routine maintenance is required.

If properly installed & maintained over the years, Brick Paver Patios still outperform wooden decks and stamped concreted.  A half hour of your time or paying as little as $50 each Spring to have paver joint sand swept in the paver joints can save $1000's and years of frustration & angst.

If you are experiencing the same signs or results of this once distressed paver patio, call a brick paver specialist, not a landscaper, before the winter freeze to avoid unnecessary costly repairs. Do not lose hope that your brick paver installation whether it be a patio, walkway, driveway, or porch can be restored to its original beauty & function!