Pavers
The landscape around your property is more than just a pretty view. It can be an integral part of the entire ambiance. If you wish to groom your yard or redo any part of your landscaping that could use some attention, pavers might be the thing for you. Creating a new patio with pavers can add a touch of class and sophistication to even the most run-of-the-mill backyard while transforming a bland patio into a work of art. The right layout and design can do wonders for making that once empty section of lawn seem like an oasis.
Many don’t realize, but pavers are one of the most versatile decorative elements around. You can create not only a fantastic patio but also walkways throughout your yard, pool decks, outdoor kitchen zones, or accent pieces. Pavers come in many shapes and sizes these days, so there is no end to what you can do with them. They also have various colors, ranging from golds, browns, reds, and even black for that great gothic look. The pattern possibilities are endless, which adds to their overall visual flair. You can use pavers alone or design pathways where they work together like stacking Legos to form geometric patterns or incorporate them into other landscaping mediums such as gravel or wood chips. The sky’s the limit, really!
Don’t know where and how to start? Call Long Beach Landscaping & Lawn Care now for top-quality landscaping services!
How Pavers Work
Landscaping With Pavers
First, begin with a good foundation. The best base material for pavers is crushed rock because it has excellent drainage characteristics. In many cases, around pools and other water features where skid resistance is a must, pavers can be laid directly on top of compacted gravel without any mortar at all. While you can save time using this method, make sure you check local building requirements before planning a patio area like this because you may need a special form liner under the stone in case the ground gets wet. Crushed rock offers excellent compaction, so when done with proper preparation paving stones are durable enough for vehicular traffic.
Pavers For Your Patio
Pavers can breathe new life into your patio, making it a central part of your yard and the focus of any social events. The peace and tranquility that was once lacking now comes to fruition as you sit on your porch enjoying a cool drink from the comfort of home before going back for round two with friends. With a bit of pre-planning and a lot of hard work, a dull patch of grass is transformed into an entertainment oasis, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors in ways never thought possible by leaving behind those unsightly bricks or slab patio.
Pavers For A Rain-Free Stone Wash
While it might sound like a very odd and potentially hazardous idea, washing your paver patio with rainwater is one of the best ways to keep your stones looking their best for years to come. By allowing rainwater to flow over them instead of using chemicals, you will encourage beneficial bacteria and decrease the frequency you need to mop up, saving you time and money. This concept can easily be applied to any pavers, whether indoors or out, making it a great way to cleanse without ever touching a drop of soap! Pavers continue trending upwards in popularity because they meet many aesthetically and add immensely to your lifestyle.
Pavers For The Green Living Space
You can still use pavers instead of paving your patio or walkway with asphalt or concrete for those out there who like their carbon footprint to be as small as possible. There is no need for all that extra material when pavers do the same job but require less energy and business resources to make. The eco-friendly effect makes littering your landscape with them even more attractive if you ask me. Other ways to turn your yard into an eco-friendly zone would be using natural materials such as wood chips, gravel, sand, or bark dust to fill areas where grass grows, increasing aesthetic appeal. This can also help keep your lawn healthy by reducing the amount of foot traffic on it.
Repairing Damaged Pavers
First of all, determine what type of paver you have (brick, stone, concrete – note that each type has different installation requirements). Regardless of which one you have, if your paver stones are lifted up out of their beds, you can add more sand or soil on top until they’re flat again. If this doesn’t work, you need to determine why they’re lifting from their beds since there may be a few reasons. For example, sometimes tree roots can push up pavers out of their beds. Sometimes the soil beneath them settles over time and needs to be replaced. In some instances, they might have been laid down incorrectly in the first place or were never properly set (meaning there wasn’t enough sand/soil underneath them). If you need to replace a section of paver stone, make sure your new stones match those currently around it as closely as possible (in terms of shape and size). Otherwise, they won’t look right. Also, note that different types of pavers can’t be used interchangeably (for example, stepping stones for a cement patio). However, some manufacturers will offer slightly different shapes and sizes for situations where standard shapes don’t allow for perfect matching. You don’t have to use the same type of paver for a repair, though. Instead, you can use standard bricks or stones even if your existing ones are different.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, it is possible to repair your cracked patio, but it will depend on the extent of the damage done and what kind of material you used originally to build the patio or walkway. Cracks can happen for various reasons (too much water, expansion joints too small, cement not mixed correctly).
You may be wondering what sand has to do with pavers. After all, they aren’t made of concrete? Well, while pavers are typically manufactured out of cement or concrete, they’re often set into sands to give better drainage below. This prevents lift due to swelling or shrinkage of the soil, and the sand also keeps them from sticking together (which can happen if you live in a place with high humidity levels). If you find that paver stones are shifting around, your sand likely needs to be replaced. The best way of ensuring your patio level is to check it after a good rain or after you’ve watered your lawn (areas with water pools need extra attention).
If you live in a place with plenty of sand or grit on the ground, your pavers can get dirty more quickly. The best way to remove all that dirt is by sweeping them with a broom or hose if they’re dirty. Avoid anything abrasive on your pavers as this can lead to chipping and cracks, plus it can damage the surface texture of your paver stones. You’ll likely want to consider using water and detergent when trying to wash off stubborn grime since pressure washers are too aggressive for most surfaces. Also, note that some paver manufacturers recommend against using high-alkaline cleaners like concrete cleaners because these kinds of products can eat away at the surface of your paver stones. If you’re wondering how to get rid of stains caused by typical food and drinks, many products are available that you can find at local home improvement stores.
