How To Repair Small Issues in Your Paver Patio

Paver problems?

You're not alone.

Your paver patio looked so great when it was first installed, didn't it? All those bricks perfectly aligned.

But time takes a toll on paver surfaces. A crack here, a crooked brick there. And why do some pavers look like they’re sinking into the ground?

When the time comes, do you know how to repair a paver patio? How to fix sunken pavers? How to replace broken pavers?

Don't worry — you'll have those pavers looking pretty again in no time.

Identify the Cause of Your Paver Issues

Unlike bricks set into concrete mortar, pavers sit on a bed of compacted sand. They’re pretty secure, but because sand shifts over time, the pavers move, too. Pavers can sink, loosen, or look crooked. Winter’s cycles of freezing and thawing take a toll on them, too.

Maybe not enough sand was installed when your patio went in, or it wasn’t compacted enough. Professionals use mechanical compacters to make sure that sand base is really solid.

Your installer may have skimped on edging that keeps pavers snug. Or drainage problems around your patio may be the culprit.

Whatever the case, most paver patios need a bit of attention at some point to get everything lined up straight again.

How To Repair A Paver Patio in 8 Steps

Whether you have a sunken paver, a broken paver or a crooked paver, the fix is basically the same — you need to remove the bad guy and replace it with a new paver.

Sand is key to the reinstallation. You’ll also need a level, a small pry bar or flat screwdriver, a broom and a rubber mallet. And a hose and water source.

How to remove and replace pavers

Remove the bad paver or pavers. You might need to wet the compacted sand to soften it, and have a small pry bar or flat screwdriver handy to wiggle the pavers loose.

Add new sand to the base, a bit at a time. Smooth the sand out until it's level. The more solid the base, the more secure the new paver will be. Use a level.

Put the new paver in place. Is it exactly the same height as the pavers around it? Adjust as needed. Use that level again.

Add more sand. Fill in the joints between your new paver and the surrounding blocks to help keep things stable.

Grab your rubber mallet and tap the paver into place until it’s secure.

One more time for the level. Everything lined up? Time for more sand. Use a broom to sweep it into the crevices around the paver.

Wet the sand so it filters fully into the joints. Gaps here can go unseen and will lead to issues over time. Add more sand and repeat until you can no longer add any more.

Sweep away the excess and pat yourself on the back.

The Benefits of Concrete Pavers vs Concrete

Don’t let the occasional wayward paver get you down. Despite a repair here or there, concrete pavers are great for Idaho Falls patios. They can rise with the winter freeze and settle back into place during the summer thaw, allowing them to flex with the temperatures. Regular concrete tends to crack.

If damage occurs, pavers can easily be removed in isolated sections and re-laid without tearing out the entire patio.

Outback Landscape: Patio Experts

How to repair a paver patio? Call us.

Here at Outback Landscape, we’re happy to help. We expertly install paver patios, driveways and walkways every day. And repair them, too.

Located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, we serve residential and commercial properties in Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Pocatello, Idaho, as well as Bonneville, Madison and Bannock counties.

Contact Outback Landscape at 208-656-3220, or fill out the contact form to schedule an onsite consultation. We’d love to hear from you.