Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why don't pavers crack under normal use like poured or stamped concrete or asphalt?
A: Pavers are manufactured with a much higher density than poured or stamped concrete or asphalt and the interlocking technology has greater load bearing capacity. The joints also serve to relieve pressure that would otherwise crack a concrete slab or wreck asphalt, and allow the driveway surface to incrementally move with, rather than resist freeze-thaw cycles.
Q: How easy is snow removal? Can I shovel and use a snowblower or snow plow on a paver driveway?
A: Yes! You absolutely can use a shovel, snowblower and snow plow. There are no issues with this on a properly installed paver driveway. Because of the uniform height of pavers, a properly installed paver driveway offers a smooth surface that won't snag shovels, snow blowers or snow plows.
Do not use sharp objects to chop ice on the paver surface.
To melt ice, utilize product that has the active ingredient calcium magnesium acetate and follow manufacturer’s instructions.
Q: What is geo-textile and why do I need it?
A: Geo-textile is a woven fabric that is placed between the compacted soil subgrade and the aggregate base. Water can pass through the geo-textile, but silt and other contaminating soil fines cannot. This keeps the base separate from the underlying soil subgrade, maintaining the thickness and load-bearing capacity of the aggregate base and reducing localized stress by redistributing traffic loads over a wider sub-grade area.
Without geo-textile, the soil will work its way into the base and weaken it. This is a slow process that happens when the soil is saturated with water or during periods of thawing. To ensure the integrity of your paver driveway, we always install geo-textile.
Q: What is interlock?
A: In short, it's the inability of a paver to move independently of its neighbors.
It's the locking of the pavers that causes loads to be spread over a wider area of pavers than where the load was applied. It's the key to the strength of the pavement system.
Q: How long will it take you to install my new or replacement paver driveway?
A: It takes two to three days to remove your old driveway and install a new beautiful, durable and affordable paver driveway. There is no curing time or additional waiting time.
Q: Should I seal concrete pavers?
A: Sealing is not essential with pavers, however, liquid sealers are available as an option to help make spills and stains easier to remove. Liquid sealers are applied after the pavers are installed and are cleaned. The sealer soaks into the concrete pavers and into the sand joints, which helps keep the joint sand in place.
Q: Are there other ways to prevent weeds and ants?
A: Joint stabilization sealer (see previous question) can be applied or polymeric sand can be used in the joints instead of course washed sand. Polymeric sand is brushed into the joints between the pavers, then a light mist of water is sprayed over the entire driveway. The water activates the polymers that bind the grains of sand together creating a solid yet flexible joint. Polymeric sand will not wash out of joints and will maintain its bond season after season even in our harsh climate.
Q: How can I bring out the color of my pavers?
A: Paver Enhancers can be applied to give pavers a perpetual "wet look" that brings out their colors.
Q: How do I remove stains and fix damaged pavers?
A: If the stain is on one or two pavers, replacing them with new pavers is the easiest way. Depending on the style of paver, some can simply be flipped over. Another option is to use a cleaner especially made for removing stains and for overall surface cleaning.