Maintenance
When
we lay the bricks according to specifications, we must first prepare
the area by excavating, removing grass and other debris that might
affect the stability of the base, and even the surface to keep
uniformity. Depending on the type of soil, more preparation is
required, but thanks to The All Mighty, Florida's sandy
soil is wonderful for brick pavers. If necessary, we use rocks
as fill and compact it. Only then we can begin our REAL job per
say, which is the preparation of the base. I consider the base
(sand) preparation the most important factor for the durability
of the whole pavement. It must have the proper gradation (not
too thin nor too thick), it must be well compacted in layers using
a vibrating plate compactor and lots of water. Thickness of the
base varies from 4 to 10 inches, depending whether it is under
a walkway, a driveway, or a road. There are other factors too,
but let's leave it to that for now. After we check for drainage,
"level" the sand taking all the lumps in the sand and
fluffing it, and "take the square" out of the main structure,
we begin laying the bricks. Then we cut them, put the borders,
and add the edge restraints. To finish, we pour what we call sugar
sand over the pavers, compact the pavers in place, then we wash
the remaining sugar sand into the joints. Now, each work is different,
just like giving birth. Some requires extra work, some less, but
the idea still the same.
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Weeds
- Many customers ask if weeds will grow, and I am very firm with
my answer: Yes, mother nature will find places to grow even on
building and bridges. But weeds don't grow on paver patios from
bottom up as many think. Their seeds are transported by the wind
and other means, and fall in the gaps with dust also transported
by the wind, and grow from there. Weed killers found at the local
hardware store will eliminate those weeds.
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Oil
and grime and rust stains - Oil will stain the driveway, doesn't
matter what kind of pavement you have, so will grime and rust.
Try using an industrial degreaser then pressure clean the stain,
if that doesn't solve the problem, replace the stained bricks
(to pull them out, use two screw drivers in the joints and work
the
paver out).
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Warranty
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Five years
is what Creative Patios promises you. No other installer will
give you the same.
Things you should consider:
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Yeah,
I know, you loved that beautiful pentagon of about 1 ft2.
. . . And yes, we install them, but I don't advise them
for driveways, for they may flex and crack under loads. |
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Thin
"pavers," the 1 in. thick one, we use only in
extreme cases like of that cement pool deck that can't be
broken for such and such reasons; I will never use them
in a driveway, so don't back. |
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The
best pattern is the herringbone (one west, one south, one
west, one south). It will completely interlock your pavers
making them stronger together. Other patterns also look
great, but ask them estimator which will be the more stable
in the area you are paving. |
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I don't
advise sealing pavers, although it does help prevent staining
and gives a shine to the surface. |
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Creative
Patios, Inc.
1937 East Atlantic Blvd.
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
(954) 832-8773 • (561) 832-5533
Welcome
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All Rights Reserved.
Intelligent Media
Ventures, LLC
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