A damaged paver walkway can be an eyesore and a safety hazard, but making the necessary repairs isn’t as difficult as you might think it is. If you determine the cause of the damage, gather the necessary tools, and follow a few simple steps, you can fix up your walkway in no time. Read our guide below for tips on how to repair, maintain, and even enhance your paver walkway.
Understanding the Cause of Paver Damage
You must identify the root cause of your paver walkway’s damage before you dive into repairs. Read more about potential culprits below.
Common Causes of Paver Shifting
There are several events that may be to blame for your shifting paver. Read more below.
- Animal activity, such as chipmunk tunneling: Animals can burrow under pavers, which disrupts the base material.
- Freeze-thaw cycles: Repeated expansion and contraction due to moisture freezing and thawing can cause pavers to shift.
- Poor base preparation: If the base material below the pavers isn’t secure, the pavers can become unstable.
- Settling of underlying soil: Natural settling of soil over time can lead to unevenness among pavers.
- Water erosion: Water that runs underneath pavers or pools around them can wash away the base, and cause pavers to shift.
Assessing the Damage
Carefully examine the extent of the damage before you begin repairs. Look out for the following issues:
- Check for gaps between pavers: Look for spots at which pavers have pulled apart.
- Identify any loose or wobbly pavers: Gently push on pavers and see if they move.
- Look for uneven or sunken areas: Walk along your path and feel around for changes in height.
- Inspect the edges of the walkway for signs of spreading: Determine whether the edges have shifted outward.
Tools and Materials Needed To Repair Your Paver Walkway
You’ll need to gather the tools and materials below to successfully repair your paver walkway:
Tools
- Buckets: For transporting materials such as stone dust and soil
- Level: To place pavers evenly
- Pointed trowel: For detailed digging and maneuvering between pavers
- Push broom: To spread stone dust and clean up
- Rubber hammer: For gently tapping pavers into place without causing damage
- Shovel: For substantial excavation and base preparation
- Tamper: To compact base material and create a solid foundation
Materials
- Camera or smartphone: To document the original pattern and later replicate it
- Concrete: To fill voids that animals may have created
- Pack: This mixture of stone dust and small stone provides a durable base.
- Stone dust: Acts as a leveling agent and filler between pavers
Step-by-Step Paver Walkway Repair Process
Follow the detailed steps below to restore your paver walkway to its former glory:
Steps
- Document the original pattern: Take a photo of the walkway before you remove any pavers. This will help you to reassemble them in the correct pattern later.
- Remove the damaged pavers: Carefully lift the pavers using a pointed trowel, and carefully set them down in the same pattern.
- Clear away soil or debris: Remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated between the pavers. Your pavers will fit better this way.
- Inspect the base layer: Examine the base layer for signs of animal tunneling or erosion. Identifying and addressing these issues will prevent future shifting.
- Fill any voids or tunnels: If animal activity has created voids, fill them with pack, and tamp it down firmly to create a solid base.
- Add and level stone dust: Spread a layer of stone dust over the base, and use a tamper to level it with the surrounding area.
- Relay the pavers: Begin laying the pavers in their original pattern. Start from the furthest point and work your way back.
- Make sure you have even placement: Use a level to make sure each paver lines up correctly.
- Adjust heights: Tamp down any high spots gently with a rubber hammer to make sure all pavers are level.
- Fill gaps with stone dust: Spread stone dust over the area you’ve repaired, and use a push broom to sweep it into the gaps between pavers. This filler locks the pavers into place.
How Can You Prevent Future Damage to Your Paver Walkway?
Once you’ve repaired your paver walkway, you can start taking preventative measures to avoid similar issues in the future.
Addressing Animal Activity
Take the precautions below if you’ve determined chipmunks or other burrowing animals caused the damage:
- Block access: Set hardware cloth or concrete down around the walkway’s base to prevent animals from burrowing.
- Install barriers: Implement barriers along the sides of the walkway to prevent animals from reaching the base layer.
- Maintain a tidy landscape: Keep your landscape clean and free from vegetation that might attract pests.
Regular Maintenance
Maintain your pavers by regularly performing the tasks below.
- Address loose pavers immediately: Repair any loose or uneven pavers as soon as you notice them.
- Periodic cleaning: Clean your walkway regularly to prevent weed growth between pavers.
- Regular inspection: Frequently check for signs of settling or shifting, especially after extreme weather events.
- Resealing: Reseal the pavers every few years to protect against water damage and staining.
Ways You Can Enhance Your Paver Walkway
Once you’ve repaired your walkway, complete your project with some of the additions below.
- Add edging: Installing edging around your paver walkway prevents pavers from spreading, and adds a clean line.
- Install landscape lighting: Lighting makes the area pop, and keeps it safer at night.
- Incorporate plantings: Complement your walkway’s edges with plantings to create a more inviting look.
When to Call a Professional
Many paver walkway repairs are suitable for do-it-yourself enthusiasts, but certain situations may call for professional assistance. These might include extensive damage, lack of tools or physical ability, or persistent issues that may point to a more substantial problem with your walkway. You should also call professionals if you experience severe grade changes or drainage issues, as these are especially complex, and addressing them requires special knowledge and equipment.
