Paver repair, resetting and sealing
Pavers that have lifted or sunk can usually be fixed without starting over. Here's how a repair works.
The big advantage of pavers is that every unit is separate. When a section lifts after a wet spring or sinks over a soft spot, a contractor can pull up those pavers, correct what's wrong underneath and put the same pavers back. That's far less mess and cost than breaking out and repouring a cracked slab.
Why do pavers move in the Black Hills?
- Swelling clay. When the soil under the base gets wet, it can lift part of the patio. Sprinklers, downspouts and poor grading are the usual sources.
- Frost. Water trapped in the base freezes and expands, especially on the north side of a house where snow lingers.
- Midwinter thaws. Chinook warm spells melt snow that soaks in and then refreezes overnight.
- A thin or loose base. The most common cause of ruts and low spots.
- Weak edges. Without a solid restraint, pavers spread and joints open.
- Washed-out joints. Heavy rain and pressure washing empty the joints so pavers loosen and weeds move in.
- Tree roots lifting pavers near mature trees in older neighborhoods.
What does a repair involve?
- Lift the pavers in the problem area and stack them nearby.
- Find the cause, such as a wet spot, a missing drain or a soft base, and fix it.
- Add and compact base as needed, then re-screed the bedding layer.
- Reset the pavers and replace any broken units.
- Restore the edge restraint, sweep in joint sand and compact.
Cleaning and sealing
Strong sun at 3,000 to 5,000 feet fades color over time, and winter leaves behind ice melt residue and grit. New concrete pavers sometimes show a white haze called efflorescence, which often fades on its own. A contractor can clean the surface, refill joints with polymeric sand that firms up and resists 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.
Signs it's time to call
- A ridge or bump that wasn't there last fall
- Puddles or ice patches that form in the same place
- Pavers that wobble underfoot
- Edges pulling away into the lawn or rock
- Weeds growing in most of the joints
No two Black Hills yards are alike, so the contractor prices the job after walking the site, checking the soil, slope and access, and talking through the layout and pavers you have in mind. We don't quote prices, and any figure given over the phone is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can heaved pavers be fixed without new pavers?
Usually. The pavers are lifted, the cause is corrected, the base is reworked and the same pavers are reset. Broken units can be swapped.
Is it okay to pressure wash pavers?
Carefully, if at all. High pressure can blast the sand out of the joints. Re-sand afterward, or have a contractor clean and re-sand them.
Related services
More background: Rapid City paver patio guide.
Ready for a patio that handles Black Hills winters?
Call the number above and a paver contractor who works your side of the Hills will come look at the yard and quote the job.