All landscape contractors worth their salt prioritize maintaining relationships with clients. However, an improper paver installation can present with troublesome symptoms that will have homeowners calling back in an aggravated state. This can harm your reputation, while the need for repairs and replacements can accumulate to become an unprofitable workload. For your next Bergen County, NJ, patio, driveway, or walkway project, ensure that you install paving stones right the first time and you’ll avoid these common issues:
Roots Invade and Pavers Move
As the roots of surrounding trees and plants grow over time, they can lift paving stones and move them out of place. Take note of how many trees and plants line a client’s paving project to predict the amount of pressure concealed roots could exert on the pavers. It may be necessary to remove roots near the area of installation, but be aware of the potential risk making this move could have on the tree’s health and longevity. Decomposed roots could cause pavers in the area to sink.
Related: Natural Stone: What You Need to Know About Flagstone Before Starting a Project in Bergen County, NJ
Pavers Sink
Pavers may sink over time if they have an improper base. The layer of base material laid before pavers are installed is absolutely crucial to the integrity of the finished project. The area must be properly excavated to a depth appropriate for the soil type. Not only should the excavation be deep enough, but it should be deepened if poor soil or other issues come up. Too shallow an excavation or an uneven base can also result in an uneven paved surface—so ensure that you take the time to refine the base layer of the project.
Image Source - Unilock
Poor Drainage Damages Pavers
Inadequate drainage can also cause a paved surface to sink or cave in because it causes the underlying soil to erode. As the pavers sink, water might pool on the surface of the patio or driveway. This can eventually progress to cause cracks in the pavers and damaging them to the point where they are rendered unusable. Ensure that you thoroughly assess and reinforce the drainage on your clients’ property before beginning installation.
Related: The Best Concrete Paving Stones for Modern Walkways in Hudson Valley, NY
Pavers Start to Lean
The pavers along the perimeter of a patio can separate from the others over time, causing the entire edge of the paved surface to lean over. This issue is usually caused by the lack of a proper edging system. Edging keeps pavers contained and compacted so that they do not drift out of place over time. The edging system should not only be of solid quality, but should also be installed properly. Leave a minimum of 6 inches of base material around the perimeter of the paved project to provide the edging system with a firm foundation.
Weeds Take Over
Homeowners rarely appreciate weeds invading the joints between their pavers, unless it was planned in order to achieve a more naturalistic hardscape. Prevent this issue by opting for polymeric sand for the joints between pavers. Polymeric sand, when mixed with water, forms a binding agent that stands in the way of the spread of weeds. The installation of geotextile fabric beneath the pavers can also prevent the invasion of weeds from the soil below.
