"The right tool for the right job" is a mantra often spoken among contractors, mechanics and engineers. LCM recently spoke with Pavetech, Inc. President Steve Jones about some common paving errors and the importance of using the right paving tools.

LCM: What are the most common errors contractors make when installing or replacing paving materials?

SJ: A lack of good base preparation is the most common error made during installation. Usually the base is not uniform in thickness and it’s improperly compacted. The flexible paving system is then not going to perform properly and will fail to some degree.

As for replacement jobs, a common error is improper seaming of the old areas and repaired pavers. After a repair — before you start replacing the pavers — you must pull up a couple more rows of pavers to get to undisturbed sand and base, so you’re able to match heights before you start to lay the pavers back in. You must also run the compactor first, directly centered on the seam for a few passes, then work towards the center. This gives the best chance for a smooth and flat transition.

LCM: What are the most important tools for performing quality paving jobs?

SJ: High-tech tools like computer-control mechanical laying machines and vacuum setting equipment is great stuff, but the first question I always ask is "do you have a Pavercart and a paver extractor?" If you do not learn to utilize the basic tools of the trade for paver laying, you might as well go bang rocks with your head.

LCM: Can you recall an example of a paving material job that was done the wrong way and tell us what happened?

SJ: Many jobs have gone wrong and the biggest culprit is ignorance. Many landscape companies with no background or training bid and get paver jobs. They have no idea as to the complexity of the work and the wide range of knowledge needed to even do a simple patio correctly. This lack of knowledge also manifests itself in not having the proper tools for the work to be performed. This results in poor jobs and shoddy workmanship. Like any business, it seems that a bad experience will be told to 100 people and a good job only told to 10.

The second biggest problem is bidding and estimating properly. Not knowing your production rates and costs of operation and administration can stifle or eliminate a new company. When a project is under bid then a contractor usually looks for ways to cut his exposure and costs, leading to short cuts on-site and a poorly executed job.

A Pavercart is the best way to handle banded pavers and move equipment on the job site. Some are available with a third wheel option and a tray for hauling compactors across pavers. Paversquare (pg. 24) is a rugged, lightweight collapsible paver square necessary for laying out any sort of job.

LCM: How can Landscape Contractors best avoid such situations?

SJ: Our industry association the ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute) at www.icpi.org is working hard to provide training and certification to those in our industry. Pavetech is just finishing an industry Vocational Training Manual on segmental pavements. It has taken about two years and participation from the best contractors in our industry to make this happen. It will be available at cost of printing to everyone. Visit www.pavetech.com for information on the upcoming release of this training manual.

The Paveradjustor is an alignment tool that allows for efficient adjustments of paver bond lines, and is designed to be used standing up.

LCM: Are there any new types of paving tools coming our way in the near future?

SJ: Today tools range from the classics like paver extractors and pavercarts to laser levels and mechanical laying machines. Innovation helps contractors keep up with the need to reduce labor costs and helps keep our workers producing in the field longer. It also helps attract and keep better employees. The other option of course is to go bang rocks with your head.