Sealing of your Brick Paver Patio

Brick Paver Sealants can bring back the Life of your Pavers Patio

We have begun working this week in Michigan with temperatures topping 85 degrees this mid-March.  As we perform our normal Spring sand sweepings for customers, we have been getting a lot of interest for sealing of their brick paver patios, walks, driveways, and more.

I always explain to my customers that sealing of pavers is optional. You do not have to seal brick pavers to insure the long-term success of their structural integrity.  If you want to insure the long-term surface appearance from the effects of weathering or need to bring your aging pavers patio or walk back to life, then sealing is a viable option.

My professional opinion is to seal your brick pavers for "aesthetic" purposes first. If you like the enhanced or darkened color of your pavers when sealed, then consider having them sealed by a professional & experienced brick paver contractor.  To get a preview, just wet your pavers down on a cloudy day or when your pavers are in the shade to get a close representation of how they will look sealed.  That should be your number one reason to seal!

Sealing your pavers patio, walkway, driveway, etc.. for the sand joints or weed deterrence is the wrong reasons to seal pavers!  Keeping up with the routine maintenance requirements of brick pavers will help alleviate these issues. It is much cheaper to do Spring maintenance programs with full service brick pavers contractor than to pay the cost of sealing each 2-3years.  In addition, the sealed joint sand in frost states such as Michigan will still loosen over the winter months and need periodic touch-ups. 

One complication that has been arising this year is that customers we did extensive paver patio cleaning & sanding last year, now want to seal this year.  The issue is that their pavers patio has to have a general prep or cleaning prior to sealing because many customers have let the patio get dirty or stained.  Depending on the severity of the conditions, I have convinced most to do the cleaning prep themselves and we will fill the paver joints with sand as needed and properly apply the paver sealant.

In an earlier post I did on prepping for sealing, I explained the reasons for prep that are needed prior to applying an approved brick paver sealant to high density interlocking concrete pavers.  When you are dealing with a horizontal surface, outside, uncovered ,and unprotected from the elements, its an uncontrolled environment that has a lot of variables. You can not make it perfect and you just try to do the best you can to get the best possible results!

Get Out There and Sand Sweep your Brick Pavers !

Spring Sand Sweeping is required maintenance of Brick Pavers in Michigan

Spring has sprung early in Southeast Michigan this March!  It is not too early to get out there on a dry & warm day and sweep joint sand over your entire brick paver patio, walkway, driveway, or porch.  Whether you perform this routine maintenance service yourself or hire a brick paver contractor, filling any paver joints void of sand is crucial to long-term performance & success.

In March & early April, paving stones in Michigan can be a little loose from an unstable & spongy base, as well as, the lack of sand in the paver joints.  Time will solidify the the base underneath but you will be responsible for making sure the paver joints are refilled with joint sand.

Here is an earlier post on reasons to keep up on sweeping paver joints that may be helpful for you.  It is important for a hired quality contractor to also be an educator or teacher of their expertise. Homeowner's need "real life" advice and not biased opinions endorsing any product or agenda.  Simple sand sweeping of paver joints will greatly improve any homeowners benefits and experiences with brick paver projects.

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!

Checklist for Hiring a Brick Paver Contractor

Brick Pavers are NOT Landscaping so do not treat them as such

This February in Ann Arbor, there is no snow on the ground and the temperatures are in the 40's. Currently there is no frost in the ground and if I had just popped out of a hole like Punxsutawney Phil, I would believe it was already Spring in Southeast Michigan.

Leads for brick paver repair, cleaning, sealing, installation, and restoration projects have begun early this Winter and its time to give homeowner's a checklist for hiring a professional, experienced, & qualified brick paver contractor.First and foremost, it is important to hire a brick paver specialist for brick paver patios, steps, walks, driveways, porches, etc.. and not a contractor who performs it as one of their many "jack-of-all-trade" services.

Performing your due diligence as a consumer will help you to avoid the unnecessary pitfalls experienced by homeowner's who rush to make quick decisions or are being pressured by scrupulous contractors. For long-term success and enjoyment, it is important to factor in many other variables other than price in making your final decision on which brick paver specialist to hire.

Below is a helpful checklist to use in selecting a contractor to perform your brick paver or retaining wall services:

Experience
Nothing replaces experience when it comes to installing, repairing, cleaning & sealing, and maintaining brick pavers and modular retaining walls.  There are many years of feedback from installation techniques and product performances that can not be learned from seminars, print media, or videos.  I believe a minimum of 10 years of performing brick paver services is required to gain enough feedback to fine tune techniques & design strategies.

 Insured
Make sure any contractor you hire will, upon request, supply you with proof of insurance.  They should have both Liability Insurance for any damages they may cause and also Workmans Compensation.  Workmans Compensation covers the employees if they are injured on your property.  In the state of Michigan, if a worker is injured on your property, and the contractor does not have coverage, you can and most likely will be held liable.  Your best defense is to have a copy of an Insurance Binder from the contractor and make sure you check the effective dates.

Licensed
A qualified brick paver contractor will have a valid Michigan Builders License. Most brick paver and retaining wall applications do not require a permit. This is one of the great advantages of paving stones & modular wall blocks & caps over other products such as decks, concrete, and asphalt. Most cities have adopted building codes that do NOT exempt brick pavers or modular retaining walls from adhering to these codes.  When it comes to raised patios, steps, driveways, egress windows, porches, etc.. it is in your best interest to hire a licensed contractor. A landscape license is not sufficient.

Prompt & Timely
A professional contractor will be prompt for your appointment. It shows respect for your time. If they were running behind, did they call to let you know?  Did they return your contact by phone or email within 24 hours (48 hours on the weekend)?  Were they able to offer you reasonable time frame for the work to be performed if you were to hire their services. Make sure that even if you are hire for brick paver repair, restoration, cleaning, sealing, & maintenance services, that your project has the same scheduling priority as installation projects. For most homeowners, timeliness is one of the most important aspects when selecting a contractor. Keep in mind that time of year can fluctuate due to demand. Spring and early Summer is high demand in Michigan and Fall is usually low demand.

Educating
Most homeowners should be able to select the best contractor that educates them about the products, designs, and options that best meet their needs and budgets.  A good brick paver contractor can map out a economical plan that can be carried out in stages if needed.  A contractor that is only interested in hitting the "home run" is short sighted and does not serve your purpose for the long run.  Brick pavers and modular retaining walls require routine maintenance over the years and a long-term relationship between homeowner and contractor can be beneficial.

Listens & Communicates
Nothing is more aggravating then when a contractor does not listen to what you want or need. It's aggravating to receive a quote that is not what you where looking to get done. A good contractor will not try to push unnecessary services. Upselling is a turn off !  A good contractor will listen to what the customer wants and make good suggestions and recommendations to meet those expectations.  Its fine to supply additional cost options for additional services as long as they are separately itemized out on the proposal.  It's just as important for a contractor to communicate how & when you will receive your quote, keep you posted on the status of your project, and when you can expect completion of the project.

I have found over the many years that most true brick paver contractors price within hundreds of dollars of each other. We are all very competitive when comparing apples-with-apples. I feel that specialized brick paver contractors are more efficient and streamlined to the techniques, tools, and equipment for paving stones and modular retaining wall blocks.  I do find that larger contractors with big names and huge overhead quote inflated prices for brick pavers.

When making a final selection on a brick paver contractor, make sure you use all the checklist variables listed above, not just price, to make an educated conclusion. I hope this post will help you avoid the many pitfalls that many homeowner's make each Spring when the weather breaks and we come out of our hole!

Brick Paver Contractors Retool in the Winter Wonderland

Brick Paver Repair, Cleaning, & Sealing Services are on hold until Spring

As the winter season closes in on Southeast Michigan, most brick paver contractors have stored away their brick paver tools and equipment until Spring.  They have now swapped out their concrete saws & plate compactors for snowblowers and plows.  Retooling by brick paver contractors is a yearly tradition here in Michigan, the Winter Wonderland !

As the ground begins to freeze solid and winter frost begins its annual process, most brick paver contractors completely transform their business model to snow removal services.  Unlike most regions in the country, Michigan landscape and brick paver contractors completely halt their normal business practices for over 4 months.

When you operate an outdoor installation or repair service, Mother Nature is always in control. Winter is the most challenging of the seasons. Spring brings days of rain, Summer brings days of extreme heat, Fall brings a slow down of new leads, and Winter brings brick paver repair & installations to a complete halt.  You can not reset or install pavers on frozen ground.

Since bills and payments do not come to a halt during the Winter months, contractors in Michigan need to generate some cash flow to keep their business and workers operating. Some paver contractors will do christmas light hanging, wood splitting, and general labor services to try and make ends meet.

Snow removal is a brutal business that usually does not make much profit.  It is erratic, untimely, and brutal on trucks & equipment. Most contractors perform this service to continue their cash flow and give their employees some work for the Winter.  Others look at the Winter in Michigan as a time to shut down, rest, regroup, and reorganize for the upcoming Spring rush.

Which ever business model a brick paver contractor chooses for the the Winter months, it is sure to be a challenge that many contractors throughout the country do not have to face.  They refer to the Midwest as the "rust belt" and we all do our best to keep our businesses shining!

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. 

Condo Paver Patios are becoming very popular

Brick Pavers are very versatile for transforming small spaces

I have noticed in the last couple of years that there is a high demand for installing paver patios, planters, and steps for condominiums.  I believe that paver patios for condos is becoming a viable option and used as added Outdoor Living Space.  Paver patios have become an easy way to add usable & functional square footage to a condo unit.

Most condos usually have wooden decks or cement pads installed as patios.  It is not often that developers will upgrade to interlocking paver patios during construction.  The draw back usually with condos is the limited space available to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living space.

Unlike residential homes in subdivisions, condos are also restricted by building envelopes or easements.  Every brick paver patio we have installed for condos requires board approval. The big advantage of interlocking brick pavers is that they are not considered a permanent pavement like cement or wooden decks that require footings or permits. This usually allows some more flexibility in expanding the outer limits of design.

Brick pavers and modular retaining wall blocks & caps are the perfect product for creating beautiful and functional spaces that the homeowner's can enjoy for many years. They also offer low maintenance needs that most condo owners are looking for when they decided to move into a condo.  As I always preach, all brick pavers require some minimal seasonal joint sand sweeping to reduce the need for future pavers repair.

From simple economical designs to more intricate creations, brick pavers are unmatched in the performance and appearance of paver patios, steps, and planters.  Small spaces create an addeded challenge but we have been able to mesh homeowner's needs with the expanded capabilities of these paver products.  Safe and attractive paver steps is where it begins and then the landscaping wants are considered.  In the end though, the pavers patio usable space is most important aspect.



Each photo I have included in this post had it's own challenges.  The versatility of brick pavers and modular retaining wall blocks & caps allowed us to blend function, beauty, and cost into a spectacular home improvement .  It is important to maximize the space available and meet homeowner's wants & needs within the building restrictions of the association.


Creating an Outdoor Living Area in small spaces requires some forethought & experience.  If the usable area is not designed properly, the condo owner will not have functional patio space to enjoy and entertain.  It is true that big gifts can come in small packages!

Then and Now : Replace Old Decks with New Raised Paver Patios

Replace old high maintenance Decks with new low maintenance Pavers Patios

After a homeowner has experienced the high maintenance costs and seasonal requirements of a deck, they are quick to replace these decks with a low maintenance option of Raised Paver Patios.  When properly designed and installed by an experienced brick paver contractor, Raised Paver Patios will out perform any other outdoor living space at a minimal upkeep cost.

Since the economy suffered in Southeast Michigan, homeowner's are not moving as much so they are investing home improvement dollars into their current home.  There has been a trend in improving their outdoor living space by removing dilapidated and high maintenance decks with the dramatic impact of brick pavers and modular retaining wall blocks & caps.

This post includes some before & after pics to give you the visual of a dramatic transformation for your backyard. Raised Paver Patios offer unlimited design options for long-term performance and unmatched beauty.  When designing a raised paver patio, function is the main design aspect that a good brick paver contractor will consider.  Paver step design, usable patio space, elevations, and traffic flow all influence the design process.

Maintenance for raised paver patios is minimal.  Sweeping of paver joint sand each Spring and occasionally in the Fall will reduce any need for repair in the future.  To reduce the frequency of sweeping of paver joint sand, you can choose to use polymeric sand at a little higher cost.  Full service brick paver contractors will offer seasonal sweeping service at a nominal charge.

If you choose to seal your paver patio with an approved brick paver sealant, you will only need to perform this maintenance step every 3 years.  If you decide not to seal your pavers patio again in the future, the structural integrity of the pavers, blocks, and caps will not be compromised. Decks require stripping, staining, and re-sealing every 2 years at a high cost or your extreme sweat equity to keep its original appearance.

The cost of a new Raised Paver Patio is inline with a cost of a composite or cedar deck depending on height.  If you your doorwall is 3ft or under to the grade, the cost is inline. If you exceed 3ft, there needs to be an evaluation of the feasibility of using interlocking pavers & modular retaining wall system.  Combinations of composite decking steps and brick pavers is a viable option when heights are extreme.


The best paver jobs I have installed over the past 29 years have been the replacement of old wooden decks with raised paver patios.  These paver patios dramatically improve the curb appeal of the home and give the homeowner piece of mind that they will not experience long-term upkeep costs or aggravation. 

Old Neglected Pavers Patio is Redesigned, Rebuilt, and Restored

New Patio in Ann Arbor will bring endless enjoyment and entertaining

When I came across this old neglected brick paver patio in Ann Arbor, I was surprised to its condition since it was in an affluent neighborhood.  The homeowner admitted they rarely used this patio the past 10 years and in turn, had neglected keeping it up.  Now that their time of traveling for work had subsided, it was time to update their outdoor living space for personal enjoyment and entertaining.

We discussed their current needs and wants for a functional and aesthetically pleasing raised paver patio.  The current size was sufficient for their needs and they liked the multi-level patio layout.  We also discussed the feasibility of using the existing Holland pavers and disposing of the old railroad tie framing.  A patio sitting wall was designed to create additional seating and divide the appearance of the different patio levels.

  I gave them the cost option of replacing the current pavers and we both felt it was worth reusing the current bricks.  I assured them we could clean the current pavers to bring back some of the color.  We also would mix in some new bundles of pavers since we were going to add a brick paver walkway from the paver patio to the driveway. Sealing of the pavers was contracted for later in the year to further enhance the color.

The old railroad tie framing was upgraded to a new modular retaining wall blocks and caps. In this installation, the customer selected FENDT's Country Manor Stonegate for the raised patio walls, paver steps, and sitting wall.  I also recommended a curved design to soften the geometrical shapes of the house.  

The homeowner was ecstatic with this transformation from an old neglected and dilapidated paver patio to a new exciting outdoor living space.  I took the time to educate them with the minimal maintenance requirements so they can avoid ever seeing the eye sore they had created in the past.

November Brick Paver Tip: Remove Leaves

Simple Brick Paver Maintenance steps will help you avoid unnecessary costs

As leaves fall from trees & bushes here in November, remember to remove them from your brick paver patios, walkways, driveways, porches, and more. Easily blow them off with a leaf blower or sweep off with a broom. Try to get this paver maintenance tip done before it begins to snow.

  Most people think it is because of the obvious reason for leaf stains. Leaf stains will usually disappear from high density concrete pavers in the Spring as the acid from the stain wears off. So do not worry about leaf stains this time of year if you see them already.

The biggest reason you should remove leaves from your brick pavers is the fact that leaves break down into compost, in other words, dirt & soil.  This organic transformation will fill paver joints with unwanted soil that will restrict drainage through the pavers and aid in the germination of weeds & grass. 

In the Spring I can usually identify the areas where leaves collected on paver patios and walkways going into the winter by observing the dirt stains areas in corners or along landscape beds.  It will require cleaning of the paving stone surfaces and paver joints to remove this organic matter. 

Simply blowing or sweeping leaves off brick pavers in the Fall will save time from performing this avoidable paver maintenance step in the Spring.

Pavers Patio Repair , Restoration, & Cleaning in Ann Arbor

Old Brick Paver Patio and Window Wells are restored & redesigned

I came across this brick paver patio in immediate need of repair and restoration this month.  To the homeowner's admission, no maintenance or joint sweeping had ever been performed for 15 years on this deteriorating brick paver patio in Ann Arbor. 

Since it was installed in 1996, this paver patio had been neglected and ignored.  The current patio was full of dirt, water stains, weeds, dips, gaps, and pitching towards the home.  I assured this homeowner that my crew and I can restore this patio to its original beauty & performance.

The homeowner and I discussed some important design improvements that would give this paver patio an updated look.  The homeowner was very happy with the current size & dimensions so I suggested we soldier course frame the entire brick patio with a contrasting color that closely matched the house siding color. This small detail really gave this patio restoration the wow factor!

I also suggested we replace the old steel window well units with new landscape wall blocks that would be more functional and aesthetically pleasing.  The old steel units usually push up with frost and contort and warp over time.  The new landscape blocks will flex to future frost movements and drastically improve the paver patio appearance.

With these new improvements to the patio restoration approved, my crew and I began this project by completely lifting up the entire paver patio for reinstallation.  We cleaned the current paving stones and removed the contaminated top layer of base material.  The new landscape block window wells where installed and the current existing base material was recompacted. We added additional base to create proper pitches away from the house and reinstalled the paving stones with the new colored soldier course borders.

The end result was an incredible transformation and updating of this brick paver patio.  The new landscape block window wells were a perfect match and the paver patio now properly pitched from the home. The new color accented soldier course border gave the patio some "pop" and the cleaning brought back most of the original paver color. Next year the homeowner is having us return to seal this  paver patio to complete the total restoration.

It is usually never too late to update and restore an old pavers patio. An experienced and knowledgeable repair and restoration brick pavers contractor can meet your expectations for revitalizing your patio, walkway, driveway, etc...  Do your due diligence and you will not be disappointed.

Brick Paver Walkway and Landscape Wall Redesigned

Landscaper misses the mark when designing and installing walk & wall

We recently redesigned and reinstalled a brick paver walkway and landscape wall that an inexperienced landscaper installed in Ann Arbor.  The landscape contractor told them that this was the best he could do. The homeowner was very disappointed in their quality of design & execution and hired us to help.

The homeowner did not want the inexperienced landscaper to correct the problem because they lacked confidence in his workmanship and professionalism.  We are frequently performing redesign & reinstallation of brick paver jobs that have been installed by unqualified contractors. Many homeowners we deal with would rather pay someone that is qualified to redo the work then have the originally contractor perform the work.

This brick paver walkway was uneven and the joint lines of paving stones where crooked.  There was no soldier course row border on the inside, even though the outside of the pavers walk had one.  This made the pavers walk look unbalanced.  The paver walkway also did not flare at the drive and actually bowed or turned back towards the house.

The landscape wall was also crooked and just ended at the driveway.  The landscape wall had no balance to the layout of the landscape.  The end of the landscape wall ended too high and too close to the driveway with no finish edge.  It caused some damage to someone's car when they opened their door.

We completely lifted up the entire front paver walk and re-installed the pavers.  We made sure the joint lines flowed properly and flared the paver walk at the driveway for easy access.  We also installed a soldier course row border on both sides of the walkway to give a balanced frame effect.  The final product was a dramatic make over from the originally installed  pavers walkway.

We tore out about half of the landscape wall and symmetrically re-installed it to properly match the layout of the landscape.  The homeowner was looking for a landscape planter wall to compliment their newly installed baywindow.  Enclosing in the baywindow with a symmetrically curved landscape wall did the job.

We listened to the homeowner's needs & wants and we were able to recommend the best economical solutions to meet those needs.  The final result was drastic change to the curb appeal of the home and the customer could not be happier. Success again!

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. 

Brick Pavers Driveway installed in Ann Arbor

Old asphalt driveway replaced with long-term Interlocking Brick Pavers

In Ann Arbor this Fall, we replaced an old dilapidated asphalt driveway that was not only unsightly, but pitched rain water back towards the garage.  There are many decisions to be made when replacing an old driveway and considering interlocking brick pavers. Brick pavers is usually your best long-term option.

It is true that interlocking brick pavers are going to be one of your more expensive options but over the course of several years, it becomes one of the most economical solutions.  When you factor in aesthetics,routine maintenance, repair & replacement costs, interlocking brick pavers will be your best long term financial option.

The biggest reason brick paver driveway installations cost more is because the base prep under the pavement far exceeds, sometimes 5 times, any prep work done for concrete, asphalt, or stamped concrete installations.  Make sure you are asking the right questions and and what are warranty periods when considering your pavement options.

We started this brick paver driveway project by doing some core tests to check the base material under the asphalt.  When I bid a brick paver driveway, I always discuss the possibility of some cost savings or additional costs due to the unforeseen conditions below.  In this case, we discovered that there was approximately 10-11 inches of gravel base under the pavement.

Since we were going to raise most of the driveway height 1-2", we were confident that there was an adequate depth of base material present for a brick paver driveway.  We did skim off the contaminated layer of  top base and installed a reinforcement layer of strata grid in the upper half of the existing base material.

We did saw-cut the garage floor to give a clean transition line for the paving stones and set the pitches to better flow surface water away from the garage.  It is always a challenge to properly channel water flow when the street is higher than the garage floor.  The homeowner really wanted to avoid the use of drains if possible and we made that happen. We properly surveyed the project to achieve maximum water flow across the surface of the paving stones.

We installed 2 large circle patterns in the middle of the pavers driveway to match their current paver patio design. We filled in the "field", the area between any designs & soldier course borders, with a random pattern to improve the weight distribution strength of the paving stones.

The final result was a dramatic transformation from the drab potholed asphalt drive they endured for many years.  They now enjoy a dry garage floor and are the envy of the neighbors.


We were able to contract a neighbor for another paver driveway transformation next Spring.  The creative design and long term performance of brick pavers is unmatched in frost states such as Michigan.

Yearly reminder to Winterize your Brick Pavers

Paver Patios, Walks, Porches, & Driveways need protection

Simple and easy paver maintenance can help you avoid long-term repair or restoration costs if you just follow this manageable winterizing tips for your brick pavers. Any steps taken to avoid erosion from snow, ice, and rains will greatly improve the performance & appearance of your brick paver patios, walkways, driveways, and porches.
 
Letting interlocking pavers and modular retaining wall blocks & caps move freely with winter frost in states like Michigan will allow paving stones to properly flex and reset.  Most homeowners neglect these simple brick pavers maintenance tips and respond by saying, " I will just wait until Spring".  The most stress on any pavement or structure in Michigan and other frost states is the effects of winter freeze thaw cycles.

Here is the link to Winterizing Brick Pavers that I repost each year to remind homeowners of the need to perform these much needed steps to protect their investment.  Any qualified brick paver contractor will offer these winterizing services if you do not have the time or resolve to perform them yourself.

Another Case for using a Brick Paver Contractor for your Brick Paver Repair

Repair to Paver Patios & Paver Steps requires more expertise than using a Handyman

  Recently we did a paver patio and step repair in Ypsilanti.  I could not understand why the customer was so ecstatic to see us arrive.  The reason he was so glad to see us was our brick paver industry appropriate trucks, tools, and experienced crew. I do believe customer's are always happy when we come but this time it seemed exceptional. 

The homeowner informed me that he originally used one of those popular online Contractor Service referral sites.  Upon their referral, he hired this "handyman" service company which was rated high by their online service.  The homeowner was required to put down a 50% deposit one week prior to the repair services being performed.

When this handyman service company came to do the brick paver patio repairs, they pulled up in a van with ladders on top. They looked more prepared to install a light fixture than repair a pavers patio.  They also did not have any wheel barrels, plate compactor, concrete pavers saw, or base material to raise the sunken areas.


The most shocking event for the homeowner was that one of the handy men was carrying a crow bar.  While the homeowner was speaking to the foreman, the other handy man was prying on the paver steps with this crow bar trying to break it apart.  The homeowner was baffled by the foreman asking him what & how he wanted them to repair the sunken paver patio & step. The homeowner asked if they had all the necessary tools to perform this brick repair service and was told "we will get them as we need to".   All the while, the other handy man was chipping & damaging the paver steps with this crude tire iron.

The homeowner immediately asked them to stop and to refrain from performing this patio repair service. Upon better research, this homeowner contacted us for an opinion & estimate for repairing their interlocking paver patio.  The shame of it was that our price was actually lower than the estimate from the handyman service company who did not even know what they were doing.

I am constantly contacted by these nationally known online contractor referral sites.  The reason I do NOT participate is because they do not do a thorough job of screening businesses for particular repair work.  Sure they make you supply the proper business & liability insurance and licensing ( if applicable) but they do not check out your quality of work or business practices.  They are known for signing up "jack of all trades" contractors who do not specialize in the specific repair area they are referred too.  Basically, if a contractor is willing to pay a fee for the referrals, they suddenly become a "qualified" and "reputable" business in your area.

You can easily do your own FREE local web search by putting in "brick paver repair (city you live in)" as the keyword phrase to get some local results.  You sitll have to do your homework by checking out each estimator's references, insurance coverage, and licensing ( if applicable).