Paver repair, resetting and sealing
Sunken or uneven pavers can usually be fixed without starting over. Here's what a repair looks like.
Because every paver is a separate piece, a problem area can be opened up, corrected underneath and put back with the same pavers. That's a big advantage over a cracked slab, which usually has to be broken out and repoured. Most Missoula repairs come down to water, a thin base or weak edges.
Why do pavers move?
- Freeze-thaw. Water trapped in the base or bedding layer freezes and expands, especially in shady spots on the north side of a house that stay icy into March.
- A thin or poorly compacted base. The most common reason for ruts, dips and sunken corners.
- Downspouts and sprinklers. Water dumped in one place washes out bedding sand and softens the ground below.
- Weak edges. Without a solid restraint, pavers drift outward and joints open up.
- Lost joint sand. Rain, wind and pressure washing empty the joints, so pavers loosen and weeds take hold.
- Tree roots. Big street trees in older neighborhoods can lift walks and patios.
How is a repair done?
- Lift the pavers in the problem area and stack them nearby.
- Find what caused it, such as a soft spot, a downspout or missing edge restraint, and fix that first.
- Add and compact base where needed, then re-screed the bedding layer.
- Reset the pavers and swap any cracked ones.
- Replace the edge restraint, sweep in fresh joint sand and compact.
Cleaning and sealing
Strong summer sun fades color over time, and winter leaves grit and de-icer residue behind. New concrete pavers can also show a white haze called efflorescence that often fades on its own. A contractor can clean the surface, refill the joints with polymeric sand that firms up and discourages weeds, and apply a sealer if you want deeper color and easier cleanup. Sealing is optional, so ask about the trade-offs for your pavers. Rinse water from cleaning should go onto the lawn, not into the street drain.
When should you call?
- Puddles or ice patches that form in the same place every time
- A raised edge that catches a toe or a shovel
- Pavers that wobble when you step on them
- Edges creeping into the lawn or rock bed
- Weeds growing in most of the joints
No two Missoula yards are alike, so the contractor sets a price only after seeing the site, checking the soil and slope, and going over the layout and paver style you want. We don't quote prices, and any figure mentioned on a first phone call is a rough starting point at best.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can sunken pavers be fixed without new ones?
Usually. The pavers are lifted, the base is corrected and the same pavers go back down. Any cracked units are swapped.
Is pressure washing bad for pavers?
It can blow the sand out of the joints. If you pressure wash, re-sand afterward, or have a contractor clean and re-sand the surface.
Related services
More background: Missoula paver patio guide.
Ready for a patio that drains well and stays flat through a Missoula winter?
Call the number above and a Missoula-area paver contractor will talk through your yard and set up a visit.