Patio Paver Installation: 5 Mistakes to Avoid
Patio paver installation can beautify your home or building and its surroundings. In addition to maintaining the area around the house, the patio paver also helps control the growth of unwanted plants and weeds that may otherwise grow in an open area. You can choose either concrete or brick patio pavers based on your needs and your budget. Following are some of the common mistakes to avoid while installing patio pavers.
Installing on Wet Soil
Patio pavers are meant not only for covering the ground, but also for moving people, vehicles and objects around your yard. Pavers on a patio must be able to bear the weight of any people, furniture, plants or even toys that are placed on them. If installed on a wet or muddy soil, they have a tendency to loosen and break. Filling such wet spaces with required dry soil fillings will crease out any future problems.
Gaps Between the Bricks
While concrete patio pavers act as one unit, those made of bricks need to be packed tightly so that they do not loosen up over a period of time. Loosening of even one brick would lead to gradual dissimilation of the entire structure. Any gaps in pavers constructed on a slope can hasten their wear and tear.
Poor Drainage
Unlike the floors inside your house, patio pavers have to bear the elements of nature, such as rain, snow and even sun. If installed without proper inclination or drainage facilities, water may collect on the surface as pools. It is therefore advisable to install patio pavers with sufficient inclination so that the water does not remain stagnant on them. Patio pavers are usually installed close to the building, at a raised surface and near the drain.
Improper Use of Filling Material
Even if the brick patio pavers appear to be tightly packed, make sure to use sufficient adhesive or bonding material in between the pavers for longer life. Remember to wear work gloves and measure the area carefully before putting down the adhesive. The filling part may not be given much importance as there is a general misconception that after setting, the pavers will stay firm. It is also important to allow for sufficient setting time after installation.
Neglected Edges
When the patio paver begins to wear off, it generally starts from the edges. In fact, edges are more susceptible to physical damage, even though you may ignore the edges during installation. While center of patio paver is firmly rooted, the edges do not bond firmly due to uneven pressure and eventually break off on the passage of time. Lining the pavers with proper bonding material will ensure that your pavers do not break off from its edges.
By avoiding the aforementioned mistakes, you can definitely enjoy long-lasting pavers in your patio or concrete deck.