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.

Restoration of Brick Pavers Walkway installed 10 years ago

Simple paver maintenance will help avoid repairs and major restoration

This brick pavers walkway in Ann Arbor was recently restored by our company. The condition of this paver walk is a common occurrence that I estimate restoration for on a daily basis.  It was a reminder to me that neglect of simple routine paver maintenance will turn into a major restoration cost in the future.

This pavers walkway had never received any additional sweeping of joint sand since it was installed 10 years ago!  Who is to fault?  Neglect by the homeowner? or the lack of educating the homeowner by the installing contractor?  Either way, the homeowner is now responsible for the cost to restore this pavers walk.

The 2 contributing factors to the deterioration of this pavers walkway was the lack of paver joint sand in the paver joints and the exposure of the cement bead edge restraint.  If these simple maintenance requirements had been addressed, the homeowner would not have the cost of complete re-installation of this paver walkway.

The lack of keeping joint sand in the paver joints allows for water to take the least path of resistance.  Water will rush down the joints instead of running over the paver surface.  The result is the base below slowly erodes over time and allows the paving stones to sink, tilt, or loosen.  Joint sand also is the key factor in keeping the pavers "locked-up" and tight.  Lack of paver joint sand will allow the paving stones to loosen, gap, tilt, and shift.

The lack of the cement bead edge restraint being covered by proper landscaping (i.e. soils, grass, or mulch) allows the edge restraint to erode, crack, and break loose.  In turn, the outside row of pavers begin to "creep" out.  The result is the inner paving stones begin to excessively gap, loosen, and tilt.  I was amazed after 10 years that the cement bead edge restraint was totally exposed.  All the homeowner had to do was allow the grass to grow over the cement bead on the lawn side with a few bags of topsoil & seed and cover with mulch on the inside landscape bed.

We completely lifted up this pavers walkway, re-compacted the existing base, added new base material as needed to re-level, re-installed the pavers in like shape & design, cleaned the pavers, and swept in new pavers joint sand.  The homeowner also elected to have the paver walk sealed to enhance the color and give it the "wet look" appearance. The final result was another successful house call by the Doctor and staff!

Repaired Brick Paver Walkway revisted 2 years later

Reconstructed Pavers Walkway in Ann Arbor is performing well

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

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

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

Paver Walkway updates Historic Home in Ypsilanti

Aesthetics and Function play role in this Brick Paver Walk installation

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


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

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

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