Paver Repair / Restoration in Bonita Springs, Fix What's Broken, Protect What's Left

Signs Your Pavers Need Repair or Full Restoration

No one really decides to repair their pavers just because. There’s always something that catches the eye first. Maybe someone stumbled a bit on their way in the front door; maybe a whole section of the pool deck looks like it’s starting to sink. We get those kinds of calls every single week in Bonita Springs.

So what should you look for? Here are a few of the most common red flags:

• Shifting or rocking pavers that move when you step on them
• Patches where it ponds up after a rain instead of draining away
• Gaps between pavers where the joint sand’s washed out
• Cracked and chipped paver surfaces caused by settling, tree roots, or heavy weight
• Weeds and ant mounds growing up between the pavers

Any one of these issues in itself might appear minor. But that usually isn’t the way it ends up; in fact it’s very seldom a minor thing. A single sunken paver causes water to pool there and the sub-base gets washed away a little bit more and then before you know it you’ve got a dozen sunken pavers. We’ve seen this situation over and over again in places like Barefoot Beach where the salt air and the sandy soil make all these issues speed up.

There are two different approaches: repair versus full paver restoration. Repair means addressing a particular issue. Maybe a couple of pavers moved over; perhaps some of the joints need to be filled back in with joint sand. Maybe a tree root pushed up a couple of pavers near the pool. Restoration means something larger is going on, as the pavers have weathered or faded over the years, and it’s time to bring them back like new. The base has been compromised in more than one area. All the pavers need to be removed and then put back together properly, once the proper leveling has been done.

Not always sure if you are talking about repair or restoration?

A few minutes of looking at the surface will reveal most of what we need to know. If your pavers remain in place and flat and the damage appears restricted to just one area, you’ll probably find that this is simply a repair project. However, if you’ve got a bunch of paver issues all over your driveway or patio and your pavers haven’t had any attention in years, you might want to do a full paver repair / restoration. Salt air and humidity in Southwest Florida don’t give pavers a break; they only keep wearing them down.

Repair vs. Restoration, Which One Does Your Surface Actually Need

This is a question we get daily. And it’s more important than many people realize.

Paver repair and restoration are two different things; they serve two different goals. Pick the wrong one and you’re not only going to waste time and money, but you also won’t achieve what you’d planned to accomplish. So here goes:

When Is Repair The Right Choice?

Repair addresses individual trouble spots. It might be a handful of cracked pavers in your Bonita Springs pool deck area. Or perhaps part of your driveway settled down after a heavy summer rain storm? Repair involves correcting a specific area. We'll remove the broken pavers, correct the base below, set the new pavers back in place, and reseal them with joint sand. Your remaining patio or driveway area will remain untouched as it doesn't require any corrections.

Some of the typical signs of an area that could use repair are:

• Some broken, chipped or cracked pavers
• Uneven and sunken areas caused by base instability
• Shifting and loose pavers
• Tripping hazards in pool decks or walkways

Repair is typically enough to fix minor damages that affect less than 15-20% of the surface area.

When Restoration is the Best Option

Restoration is like doing a complete reset. It involves cleaning the surface, fixing and leveling all the shifting pavers, filling any low spots, and replacing all the sand in the joints. It can also involve applying a new layer of sealant to the entire area. Restoration is necessary when your surfaces have accumulated years of wear, when the color has faded, when joint sand has eroded throughout the area and when the color has been damaged by things like algae or salt damage. The humidity and salt air in Southwest Florida can age your paver installation several years in just a short period of time. A driveway over in Barefoot Beach might look ten years older than it actually is just from coastal exposure.

Often, people think they may need to restore their entire paver surface, but after a visual inspection and a little bit of probing in a few areas, we can quickly identify areas that need repair. Our pavers experts know the difference between repair and restoration within five minutes of looking at it. That is why we offer same-day quotes, so you can determine how much your paver restoration will cost before it begins.

If you aren't sure about what type of project you need, give us a call at (239) 219-4701 and one of our professionals can talk through your options with you.

Why Do Pavers Fail Faster in Coastal Southwest Florida?

It's easy to assume the only things to blame for your paver failing is low quality installation. That's not necessarily true. Your paver's failure can be attributed to Bonita Springs being in a low lying spot that experiences salt air intrusion, frequent storms and rain and a humid environment.

Here is why salt and moisture can cause a paver installation to fail quickly:

Salt: In addition to blowing into an area from the Gulf when there's a heavy storm, there is also salt air in the air in your home 24 hours a day. Salt penetrates paver joints and begins eroding away the joint sand that locks your pavers in place. We see this constantly on properties near Barefoot Beach and along the Imperial River. The erosion leaves gaps and lips in driveways, patios and pool decks.

Rain: Our annual rainfall can sometimes exceed the average for the US. With an average of 55 inches a year, the water from the heavy rainstorms can get absorbed into the paver base, and swell the dirt below. When it does, the soil can dry out, leaving a depression under the paver base. Hundreds of cycles like this occur within one year.

When combined, salt and moisture can do more damage in a shorter period than just moisture alone or salt alone:

• Algae and mold grow, trapping moisture between pavers and causing faster erosion
• In Florida, the sand doesn't compact as easily as clay soils in other states do
• The intense sunshine here is a major factor in degrading and de-colorizing the upper portion of concrete pavers throughout the year
• The roots of established trees like oaks and palms can grow up and lift pavers over time

We've removed pavers from homes on side streets off Old 41 that looked like they were in good shape on the top, but the joint sand underneath was completely gone. That's a paver repair situation, one that will turn into replacement when people stop noticing it. Many homeowners don't even realize it's that far along until a person trips on an edge or a patio chair wobbles.

And, when asked why their pavers failed, people say "it just happened." It didn't. The environment worked on your pavers for the prior 2-3 years, before the first visible signs appeared.

So, if your pavers have gone unsealed through a few Southwest Florida summers, there is a good chance the base and joints require some attention even if the top layer appears fine. Damage starts underneath, so that's where we start looking.

Paver Restoration Process From Start to Finish

Every restoration project begins the same way; we walk your property and look at the situation. A true inspection of each joint, each edge, and any areas where pavers shifted and settled is what we do.

Here is how a typical paver repair/restoration project goes once we are on-site in Bonita Springs:

1. Inspect and document. We check for root intrusion, base failure, drainage issues, and any cracked or displaced pavers. We document this process through photos so you can see exactly what we are seeing.
2. Remove damaged pavers. We remove the affected areas by hand. It must be a delicate process. Trying to rush this step causes damage to adjoining pavers and we have seen other companies learn the hard way.
3. Correct the base. If the crushed shell or limestone base has washed out or settled unevenly, we rebuild it. This is where many DIY fixes crumble, with the base remaining untouched and everything shifting again months later.
4. Reset or replace pavers. We try to match the existing pavers as best as possible. Sometimes we can utilize the originals, while other times we can obtain replacements that will blend in seamlessly.
5. Re-sand the joints. We fill in every joint with polymeric sand. This material is designed to help lock in the pavers and prevent any weeds or bugs from returning to the site.
6. Clean and seal. We pressure wash the restored area to get all the excess dust off, followed by a coat of sealer to protect against the damage from UV rays and the salt air. For properties near the Imperial River and throughout the waterways, the sealer layer becomes even more important.

The process will typically take one day for a driveway or pool deck, while larger patio or walkway projects may take two days.

And the number one issue we discover underneath is water.

The summer rains in SW Florida move sand and base material sideways which is why we don't just treat symptoms. We fix the cause of the problem. And because we're licensed and insured, you have accountability for every step of the process, not just a handshake from some guy working out of his truck. See how your property gets restored by calling us at (239) 219-4701 for a same-day estimate.

Keeping Your Restored Pavers In Good Condition After The Job Is Done

Your pavers are repaired / restored. What's next? We don't leave the property the moment the work is done. What you do in the next few weeks and months matters as much as the repair. First, don't drive on your pavers for 24-48 hours after joint sand or sealant is applied. It's always going to be tempting to park on the fresh driveway. But giving materials time to cure makes a big difference in its longevity.

Your Ongoing Maintenance Checklist

When the pavers set, here's how you make them last in Bonita Springs:

• Rinse your pavers with a garden hose every couple weeks to wash away sand, pollen and organic debris before it becomes a stain
• Pull weeds immediately as soon as you see them sprout between joints because roots can displace pavers much faster than you think
• Watch out for ants near paver edges because they will tunnel under your joint sand creating voids
• Have pavers professionally sealed every 2-3 years for homes, or every 18-24 months for homes near water (i.e. Barefoot Beach area)

The 2-3 year sealing cycle is not a recommendation. The salt air and humidity in Southwest Florida will degrade sealant much faster than other states or climates. We see homeowners miss a sealing cycle and call for paver restoration two years later. Another thing many people don't realize. Joint sand will wash out over time. At each sealing appointment we will also refill that polymeric sand between your pavers. Without it, you will get shifting, loose pavers and weeds growing. Pressure washing is another great way to maintain pavers but be careful. High pressure or the wrong nozzle angle will blast the joint sand out. We recommend professional pressure washing over blasting the joints yourself with an equipment rental. The homeowners who return to us for repeat repairs are the ones who neglect routine maintenance. A little attention goes a long way. Would you like a maintenance plan for your pavers? Call us at (239) 219-4701 for a same-day estimate. We're licensed and insured and we'll help you determine exactly what your pavers need to last for years.

Frequently Asked Questions