You’ve finally decided to switch to paving stones and couldn’t be happier about it. You just love coming home to an elegant-looking driveway. But a few months later, you notice a stone is broken. It’s no longer as perfect as it used to be.
Paving stones are extremely durable and low maintenance. However, as with any other landscape project, proper installation is crucial to ensure it delivers as you expected. With that said, be sure to work only with reputable paver installers. But don’t worry. While it’s unlikely to find broken paving stones, it only takes a few steps to remedy this eyesore. You can even do it yourself.
Let’s walk you through the three steps of broken paving stone repair. The tools you’ll be needing for this project are a rubber mallet, screwdrivers, and sand. You could also use a spirit level.
1. LOOSEN UP SAND JOINTS
Your goal is to remove the broken paving stone. In order to do that, you need to saturate the compacted sand that joins it with its neighboring stones. Compacted sand is almost as strong as concrete, but not permanent. This makes repairing and replacing individual stones easy. To loosen up the sand, run water to the stones and into the joints using a garden hose. Watch out though. You don’t want to waste water here. Two minutes should be enough.
2. REMOVE PAVING STONE
Once the sand has loosened up a bit, you can proceed to remove the stone. This part may take longer depending on the paving stone used. This also requires patience and attention to make sure the rest of other stones are not damaged in the process. Lift the stone out using screwdrivers. For a stubborn stone, you can use your rubber mallet to tap and loosen surrounding stones.
3. LAY NEW STONE
After removing the paver, it’s time to put a layer of sand base. Carefully push sand on the surface. You can use a spirit level to ensure even distribution. Once the sand base is ready, you can now put in the new paver. Using the rubber mallet, push it down until it’s leveled with the other paving stones. And then, fill the joints with sand. Afterward, smooth it out with a push broom. Once done, spray it with water. Let it dry for a stronger hold. Once dry, sweep the area again to get rid of debris.
AND THAT’S IT!
Your driveway paving stones are looking as good as new again.
Paving stones should be able to provide you with years of enjoyment. If it fails, it’s likely due to poor workmanship. If you feel that the damage on your driveway is difficult to tackle on your own, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a trusted paver company near you. Working with paving stone installation professionals will help save you from another headache.