Paver Repair & Releveling in Chicago
Sunken spots, trip edges, loose pavers, puddles and weeds in the joints are the most common problems with brick paver patios, driveways and walkways. The good news: most of them can be fixed without replacing the whole surface, because interlocking pavers can be lifted, the base repaired and the same pavers reset.
We repair pavers across Chicago and the suburbs, including patios and driveways installed by other companies. We find the cause first, so the same spot does not sink again next spring.
Euro Paving has installed and repaired brick pavers since 2006 and is a Unilock Authorized Contractor.
Why Pavers Sink, Shift or Heave
When pavers move, the problem is almost always under them, not the pavers themselves. The usual causes are:
- a base that was not deep enough or not compacted properly;
- too thick a layer of sand under the pavers;
- water from a downspout, sump line or sprinkler washing out the base;
- a missing or broken edge restraint, so the pavers spread at the edges;
- tree roots and frost pushing sections up.
A repair that only adds sand on top will not last. We look at drainage and edges as well as the low spot.
How We Fix It: Lift, Rebuild the Base, Reset
A proper paver repair follows the same steps as a new install, just on a smaller area:
- we lift the pavers in and around the problem area and set them aside;
- we remove the failed base and bedding sand;
- we rebuild and compact the base and screed a fresh bedding layer;
- we reset the original pavers and replace broken ones with the closest match available;
- we fix the edge restraint, compact the surface and refill the joints.
If water caused the problem, we also suggest how to redirect it, for example by extending a downspout.
Ready to start your project? Contact us for a free estimate on any paving project in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs.
Weeds and Washed-Out Joints
Weeds, ants and moss in paver joints usually mean the joint sand has washed out. Once the joints are empty, pavers can also start to shift. We clean out the joints and refill them with polymeric sand, which hardens after it is wetted and resists washout and weeds better than plain sand.
More tips in our guide on preventing weeds between paving stones.
When a Repair Is Not Enough
Sometimes a repair is not the best use of your money. If the base has failed across most of the area, many pavers are cracked or crumbling, or the layout never drained properly, rebuilding the whole surface may cost less over time than repeated repairs.
We will tell you honestly which one it is. When a rebuild makes sense, we can often reuse good pavers or move you to new patio or driveway pavers.
Cleaning and Sealing After the Repair
After the repair, a deep clean and sealer can make old and reset pavers look even again. We pressure wash the surface, re-sand the joints and apply a sealer that protects the color and helps keep the joint sand in place.
Read more about our paver sealing and cleaning service.
Five Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Paver Repair Company
Paver repair quotes can range from a quick sand touch-up to a full rebuild. Ask these five questions so you know what you are paying for.
A good contractor explains the cause, such as base, drainage, edge restraint or roots, before talking about the fix.
Adding sand on top of a failed base is a short-term fix. Ask whether the base will be removed, rebuilt and compacted.
Most pavers can be reused. Ask how broken pavers will be replaced and how close the match will be, especially if your pavers are an older or discontinued line.
Ask whether the joints will be refilled with polymeric sand and whether the surface will be compacted after the reset.
The quote should say which area will be lifted and reset and what is included. Euro Paving gives a fixed written quote after the visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most cases. We lift the pavers, rebuild and compact the base, and reset the same pavers. Only broken pavers need to be replaced.
Yes. We repair brick paver patios, driveways, walkways and steps no matter who installed them.
Reset pavers are your original pavers, so they match. New replacement pavers can look brighter at first. Cleaning and sealing the whole surface after the repair helps it look even.
Repairs are done when the ground is not frozen, from spring to fall. Spring is a good time to fix spots that heaved or sank over the winter before they get worse.
It depends on the size of the area, how deep the base problem goes, how many pavers need replacing and whether drainage has to be fixed. We visit, look at the cause and give you a fixed written quote. The estimate is free.
GET A FREE ESTIMATE
Call us or book a visit. We will find out why your pavers moved and give you a free written estimate for a repair that lasts. See all our paving services in Chicago.