Pavers are a great way to help homeowners control their water flow and water runoff. Before you build a hardscape for your home, it's important to think about where your water travels and where you can incorporate drainage.
There are lots of benefits to using permeable pavers to manage stormwater runoff. They create sustainable landscapes that reduce erosion from fast-moving streams of water and control the flow of water across your property.
An influx of water that sits for a long period of time can damage your paver surfaces by weakening the cracks or chips already present. If your pavers are already loose, they may collapse. Flooding can also lead to erosion when soil and rock are transported and deposited into the area.
The authors estimate that annual flood magnitude (defined as annual maximum streamflow) increases by 3.3%, on average, for every percentage point increase in patios, garages, pavement or other impervious surfaces.
A patio should slope away from the house at the rate of 1/8" (3mm) per running foot. Generally, a 4" (100mm) thick slab set 2" (50mm) above ground level is suitable. To ensure that the height and slope are correct, begin the excavation, layout and form construction where the patio meets the house.
The risks involved with paving work come from hazards including the use of hand tools and cutting equipment, debris and projectiles, manual handling, weather, noise, vibration and dust.
Non-permeable pavers do allow some water through the joints and into the soil, but not nearly to the extent of permeable pavers. For a patio that tends to collect pools of water, or for a driveway that slopes toward your house, permeable pavers will tend to be a better solution than traditional non-permeable pavers.
Sealing your pavers can help prevent this fading, which can help maintain the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space. Decreased Drying Time: Properly sealed pavers do not allow water to absorb inside them. This significantly reduces drain time.
Standing water weakens pavers, leading to chips, cracks, and even erosion. During colder weather, water that gets into these cracks and crevices can freeze, causing cracks to expand and worsen. To prevent pavers holding water, you want to invest in draining the pavers.
To solve patio problems like this, a landscaper will remove pavers and add new soil and pea gravel. As a result, water will run away from your foundation, and water pooling problems will disappear. In many basement water situations, a professional is the only person who can properly diagnose the problem.
Paving stones typically cost more than concrete initially. However, we've seen that over time they make up the difference. Here's why: they're easy to maintain, cheaper to repair, and they typically have a longer life. Additionally, installing paving stones adds significant value to your home.
Concrete sand is the proper sand for laying a foundational base for a concrete paver installation. It is extremely coarse sand so it can be compacted uniformly and allows for adequate water drainage. Concrete sand will lift slightly into the joints of the pavers when they are being leveled, locking them into place.
Con: Paver Patios Grow Weeds Over Time
Paver patios are built from individual small pieces. They have a lot of joints that are filled with sand when first installed. Over time the sand can wash out and needs to be replenished and maintained.
Pavers are naturally a low-maintenance solution, but sealant them actually requires more upkeep over time.
Leave a Gap: Similarly, it is essential to leave a gap between the pavers and the house foundation. A 1/2-inch gap between the pavers and the foundation is recommended – once it allows for proper water drainage and prevents water from seeping into your home.
Sealing Pavers Con #1: It requires maintenance
Once sealed, you will have to regularly reseal your pavers, particularly if you use a thinner sealant that starts to break down and develop a film over time. The frequency at which you will have to reseal depends on the material of the paver and the brand of the sealer.
The basic rule of thumb is every 3-5 years. For film-forming sealants, you will be able to notice when the physical barrier is showing signs of wear. For non-film-forming sealants, you will begin to see a significant color change of pavers during a rain when the sealant is wearing thin.
Often, homeowners want to put pavers over top of existing concrete because it's much better than the alternative: tearing up the underlying concrete first, which is a messy and potentially expensive job. Fortunately, you can put pavers directly over existing concrete.
Unfortunately, pavers sink from time-to-time, most commonly because of uneven soil drainage. There is hope, however! To fix sunken pavers, follow the six-step process we've outlined below. Sunken pavers are quite the tripping hazard and can leave you with large, unsightly puddles of water.
Theuse of polymeric sand increases the durability of the entire surface of the landscaped area. This minimizes the opportunity for water to seep below the surface of the interlocking pavers and into the sand and/or crushed stone foundation below.
Although concrete may be the first material that comes to mind, stone pavers are actually a far superior choice when considering durability, beauty and curb appeal for your driveway, walkway, or patio.
You can expect a concrete or brick paver patio to last 25 to 45 years, with an average of 35 years. Proper installation is critical and begins with a well-compacted base. Maintenance is also important, such as regular re-application of a surface sealer and repair/replacement of damaged pavers.
Con: Usually Difficult to DIY
Concrete paving slabs are traditionally more difficult to install than poured concrete, making them a typically non-DIY project.