A poor subbases is one of the most common reason a walkway or patio fails. To ensuring your new installation withstands the test of time, we excavate a minimum of 6-8" below your patio. We then install 4-6" of dense-grade at the subbase, which will help maximize soil stability and the total load-carrying capacity. On top of the dense-grade will be a 2" bedding layer of chipped stone for the pavers to be laid on. We use chipped stone instead of stone dust or masonry sand due to its improved filtration and compaction. It is also required by polymeric sand manufactures to have 2" of chipped stone below your pavers to be eligible for the 20-year limited warranty they offer because unlike stone dust, water is allowed to escape.
Compaction is important on both your subbase and when applying polymeric sand. For every 2" of material added to a subbase, you can expect 0.5" of it to compact. To ensure our projects are laid on stable footing, we abide by this principle, keeping in mind which materials are best to optimize your project. It is also manufacturer-recommended to use a plate or roller compactor when applying polymeric sand to your new patio or walkway to help remove air gaps in joints by vibrating sands deeper down for a stronger bond.
Standing water on top of pavers will stain and weaken them, leading to chips, cracks, and erosion. Once cracks develop, water will find its way inside and freeze over the colder months, causing cracks to expand and worsen. Poor filtration below will hold water against the bottom of pavers which will cause erosion and an unstable base. For a project on a relatively flat surface, we would optimize filtration by allowing for a minor pitch to your patio for proper water run-off and also would use permeable joints and chipped stone as a base to help drain standing water. For a project on a slope, we would use a non-permeable joint, to allow all water to run-off without being absorbed into the subbase which could cause the soil to shift.
Polymeric sand is a great joint stabilizer that is designed to help prevent future weed growth. Polymeric sand is an encapsulated cement and polymers mixture that allows for the perfect combination of strength and flexibility. Where normal cement is very brittle and unforgiving to even the most minor of soil shifts, polymeric sand is designed to hold pavers together without cracking or separating. They are also designed in both permeable and non-permeable, meaning they can assist in filtering still-water through paver joints. When properly installed on a new patio, polymeric sand can last upwards of 20 years in weed prevention.
Concrete, paver, and natural stone sealers are designed to protect and enhance both the maintenance or the aesthetic of your patio or walkway. The sealers that we recommend aid in protecting all pavers from water saturation, corrosion caused by de-icing salts, UV bleaching caused by sun exposure, surface staining such as grease, oil, and bacterial stains. Whenever water falls on the sealed pavers, the drops will all "bead-up" instead of soaking into the stones and accelerating erosion. Our sealer is water-based and does not need to be applied yearly as it has a 10-year limited warranty and is meant to give our client's projects the protection that they need!
Planning out a new patio or walkway can be a very difficult and stressful task for individuals given the countless number of options and ideas that have to be considered to create your dream outdoor living space. We assist in this process by helping our client's each step of the way, through finding the paver material that best suits them project and helping client's discover their individual intended needs so we can cater each installation to give you the most functionality for your desired application!
Poor drainage and filtration is the origin of many failed patios. There are 3 areas to consider within drainage; below, on top, and in-between pavers. Each is important in ensuring the other's success. A patio that does not drain will have problems with moss growth, surface staining, and sinking & shifting pavers.
Moss between your pavers is a good indication of failed joints. When paver joints fill with dirt, they are not capable of filtering water properly, which creates the perfect, wet environment for moss to thrive.
Shifted or sunken pavers are generally the result of poor compaction or filtration throughout the subbase. Stone dust is not recommended as a subbase for this reason, as it is known to easily clump-up to moisture instead of drain water, causing soil shifts.
Surface staining is the product of water being trapped on the surface of your patio, generally due to un-level pavers or water run-off from a gutter or roof line. If you don't correct the origin of the surface staining, you risk paver erosion.
The 1st step of our process focuses on removing stains from your paver surfaces, while also removing a minimum of 1" of debris from joints. Less debris between joints will allow for more space and strength for polyeric sand.
Once washed, we will then re-lay either the entirety of your patio or selective sunken / failed areas, depending on your projects needs. When the origin of the patio failure is the result of a poor subbase, we recommend installing a 2" chipped stone subbase to improve future drainage.
Polymeric sand is a great joint stabilizer that is designed to help prevent future weed growth & ant infestation. Polymeric sand is an encapsulated cement and polymers mixture that allows for the perfect combination of strength and flexibility, while also allowing for filtration through joints. We always recommend using a compactor to vibrate sands deeper for a stronger bond,
Concrete, paver, and natural stone sealers are designed to protect and enhance both the maintenance or the aesthetic of your patio or walkway. The sealers that we recommend aid in protecting all pavers from water saturation, corrosion caused by de-icing salts, UV bleaching caused by sun exposure, surface staining such as grease, oil, and bacterial stains. Whenever water falls on the sealed pavers, the drops will all "bead-up" instead of soaking into the stones and accelerating erosion.
Polymeric sand is a fine sand combined with binding additives for increased durability. The sands are used to fill in between pavers, stones, or brick joints on flat work. Polymeric sand is a long-term solution to keeping hassle-free patio or walkway maintenance. Some of the benefits of using polymeric sand include:
Polymeric sands create a strong, but flexible joint that will not decompose or crack from high levels of surface traffic. Since the joints don't crack, they are less likely to be pulled apart by moss/weed growth which means for a longer-lasting patio. The brand that I supply has a 20-Year Limited WarrantyOnce it's applied, it's there to stay!
Polymeric sand comes in 2 ways, permeable and nonpermeable. Permeable polymeric sands allow for water that is sitting on the surface of your patio to freely flow through joints, preventing water from pooling at the surface. Nonpermeable sands prevent water from filtering through the joints in areas of your patio where there is a decent pitch to allow for water run-off. It's always important to make sure to use the right material to limit future water problems!
Polymeric sands hold pavers together more homogeneously than conventional jointing materials, creating an almost impenetrable joint that weeds and ants are less likely to break through. Since the joints are more durable and flexible, they are unlikely to crack, which is generally the origin of ant and weed problems.
The color of your paver joints ties your whole masonry walkway or patio together. That's why it's important to find the right fit for your project. Luckily, polymeric sands come in a wide variety of colors that are suitable for all different stones and styles!
Are you looking to inquire about a new or existing home improvement or maintenance project? Fill out a free quote to see if we are a good match for taking care of your project's needs!
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