Paver Replacement

By Leslie McGuire

Loose pavers are not only unnattractive, they can also cause injury to those walking on them. Photos courtesy of Sisler Stone, Inc.

The advantage of using pavers is that they are easy to remove if damaged and easily replaced. If you find that your pavers have been cracked or have loosened, it is possible for them to be replaced with new pavers. They can be fitted and cut to the correct size and width, so that the repairs are not noticeable.

 

If any pavers need to be cut, mark the cuts with a crayon or chalk and cut with a masonry saw or splitter.

By maintaining your paved areas, you are pro-longing the life span and overall appearance of them. It can also help protect your pavers from needing too many repairs. Loose pavers are not only unnattractive, they can also cause injury to those walking over them. Someone may trip over a loose paver and cause injury to themselves. So to avoid a situation like this, here is a quick guide to repairing loose pavers.

Mark each side of the loose pavers with a marker before removal, so as to ensure correct replacement.

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If any pavers need to be cut, mark the cuts with a crayon or chalk and cut with a masonry saw or splitter.

If using paver edging, on sides where it is to be installed later you can place the edging after laying the pavers to reduce the amount of cutting. Allow for up to 1/4-inch (6mm) gap between the cut paver and the paver edge or permanent structure. You will fill this with sand later. You should use a diamond blade mason saw, or a paver splitter.

Beginning in a corner of the open space, install one of the pavers. Match up the chalk markings and replace the new paver.

With a paver mallet, gently tap the sides of the paver so that it is snug. Mallets are available in many sizes, depending on the type of paver.

Tamp down with a tamping tool or compactor.

Sprinkle fine sand over the repaired area and sweep the sand into the cracks. Rinse the entire surface.

• STEP 1: Wearing work gloves, remove damaged or displaced pavers with an old screwdriver or a pry bar and clean all debris from the area.
• STEP 2: Place a layer of sand down, using a wooden float, push into all corners.
• STEP 3: Spray water on the exposed sand base.
• STEP 4: Tamp down the sand with a tamping tool or compactor.
• STEP 5: Add a thin layer of fine sand, water lightly and tamp again until the sand layer is very slightly above the bottoms of the other pavers.
• STEP 6: Check the level of the sand base with a spirit level.
• STEP 7: Beginning in a corner of the open space, install one of the pavers.
  Match up the chalk markings and replace the new paver.
  Tap on the paver with a rubber mallet until it is flush with the adjoining pavers, and check it with a level. If not pick up the paver, and add or remove sand below for any necessary adjustments; replace the paver.
• STEP 8: With the mallet, gently tap the sides of the paver so that it is snug against all adjoining pavers.
• STEP 9: Install remaining pavers in the same way.
  By using a screwdriver, make sure there is an even gap between pavers. Pour sand on top of pavers, so gaps are filled evenly. Using the mallet, tap the pavers in, then sweep the excess.
• STEP 10: Sprinkle fine sand over the repaired area and sweep the sand into the cracks. Rinse the entire surface.