Pool Paver Repair

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It seems like the only downside of the pool paver is that after some time you have to do some pool paver repair. Pavers provide very good traction which is one of the most important features of materials that can be used for your around pool area. Non-slippery surface to walk on when entering and exiting your backyard pool is simply mandatory. Also, a paver will remain cool and comfortable to walk barefoot even in the scorching sun. Concrete pavers come in many shapes and colors that can be combined to enhance the stylish look of your pool, around the pool area, and the whole backyard.

But, after some years concrete paver can sink and ruin the impression of your backyard pool. An unleveled paver with sank bricks is a tripping hazard as well, so you will have to repair it, better sooner than later. Here is how to do it, and what options you have when it comes to the pool paver repair.

Take out sunken pavers

To start fixing your pool paver you have to remove all the paver bricks from the sunken area. This may be tricky to start and pull out the first paver brick. You can use a putty knife, actually two of them to jiggle a bit the first stone. Insert the putty knives around the paver and try to pull it out just enough so you can get a grip with your fingers. Pull it out by wiggling. Instead of a putty knife, you can use a flathead screwdriver or any other similar tool that can be wedged between the pavers. If you have problems pulling out the first paver brick, hit it a few times with a rubber mallet on the bricks around. This will help loosen them up and pull them out easily. 

When the first paver brick is out it is quite easy to take out the rest. If your pool paver is set in a certain pattern, take photos before you start your pool paver repair, so you can set them back in their original layout after you fix the bedding for them.

When you remove the sunken pavers you will understand the problem much better. You will clearly see where you need to add gravel and sand to level the bedding where is not even. As you are taking out the paver bricks clean them up a bit. You can do that with a stiff-bristled brush. It is important to remove all the dirt that is stuck on the sides so you get a better and tighter fit once you place the paver back.

Level the base layer underneath sunken pavers

Pavers tend to sink due to uneven drainage underneath. When you move sunken pavers you will get a bigger picture of what needs to be done. To fix this base layer and level it you will need some gravel. How much gravel you need depends on how much the pavers have sunk. Leveling nicely the gravel base for your paver is probably the most important part of your pool paver repair.

The first thing to do after pulling out your paver stones is to scrape up the dirt and the sand that can accumulate under your paver bricks over the years. When you move all the dirt, add gravel and compact it to the grade. Do this with a hand tamper for better results. This layer needs to be compact and solid.

Use sand for fine tune leveling

Use all-purpose sand or concrete sand to level the bedding further. A screeding board that is the same height as your paver bricks can be used to level up the ground to the desired height.

Bedding sand helps your paver bricks settle firmly into the base layer and stay there. Also, it has a purpose to level all discrepancies in the base layer. But make sure not to lay too much bedding sand. An inch of sand is sufficient, more than that could cause settling or wobbling of your paver, and you don’t want that. With this part of the job done properly your pool paver repair is almost done.

Put the pavers back

Now everything is ready to put back the paver. Don’t forget to clean them of dirt before you set them back. You don’t want dirt in the sand bedding or on paver bricks because it can generate the old same problem with sinking paver. It doesn’t have to be super clean, brushing them with a stiff-bristled brush will be sufficient. Just make sure no dirt is left on the sides of the bricks.

Put the pavers back according to the pattern of your paver or as you marked them when you took them out. Try to keep some distance between the bricks as it was before you took them out. You can use any kind of spacer for this or a flathead screwdriver. As you set the pavers back, tap them with a rubber mallet or with a hand tamper. If a larger area is repaired, you had better use a tamper plate. Of course, it is quite expensive to buy one, but you can always rent one. Since you will need it just for a few hours or a day at most it shouldn’t be a heavy impact on your budget.

To finish the job pour some paver sand or grout sand on the restored paver. Fill the space between the pavers with it. Brush the sand with a push broom to fill all the gaps with sand and to level it nicely. Repeat till all the paver joints are fully grouted, then you can hose clean your pool paver.

DIY Pool Paver Repair vs Hiring Professionals

Pool paver repair is not some rocket science. If you are keen to do it yourself you will succeed. You will need some basic tools like a putty knife or screwdriver, a hand tamper, and a broom. That is basically it. Also, you will need some materials like gravel, bedding sand, and paver/patio sand. None of the tools and materials needed is expensive. Probably the most expensive ingredient for pool paver repair is your time. If you are not experienced with similar repairs it might take you days for a few square feet of the paver, but it is not going to be expensive.

If you decide to hire a pool paver repair company, the job will be done in a day or less. It will cost at least a couple hundred dollars. The cost of your repair depends on several factors. The major factor is how many square feet need to be repaired. The reputation of a pool paver repair company also may influence the price as well as the season. A company with stellar reviews and a reputation as a problem solver may be up to 50% more expensive than some rookie companies in the business.

Take Care Of Your Paver Properly

As a pool owner, you are certainly aware that some yearly budget is required for maintenance, chemicals, cleaning, and other pool necessities. A paver deck around your pool is not different. You will need to spend some money in order to keep it in a good shape.

The worst thing you can do is to ignore the sunken paver and hope that is not going to get worse. To repeat again it is a tripping hazard and you don’t want anyone to get hurt around your pool. Also, a sunken paver really damages the perfect picture of the pool in the backyard. You don’t want that either.

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