Q: What is the going rate per square foot for installing pavers in my area? A: While tempting, bidding projects by the square foot (sometimes even before seeing the project!) is a recipe for disaster for contractors and especially homeowners. Every job is different, and so is every contractor. We bid our company's price for your specific job, using labor hours for each job function and our own markups for overhead and profit. We do not quote square foot pricing simply based on competitive rates. You should be cautious of anyone who can give you a price sight unseen. If they feel pressured to hold to a price, corners are usually cut or there will be plenty of adds to the final project to make up the difference. It is better to get to the closest final price with a site visit. Remember price is only a small part of deciding who you want, ask plenty of questions. Q: What does "Interlocking Pavers" mean? A: Interlocking pavers is a misleading term. What actually constitutes interlocking is really a dynamic function containing three different components. They are "rotational interlock" (resistance to tipping), "horizontal interlock" (resistance to spreading), "vertical interlock (resistance to sinking)". So, that means for lasting quality you need good containment, good subbase and proper paver thickness. Thicker pavers are generally used for driveways and thinner pavers are used for patios. The pavers working together with the base and sand are really an interlocking system. Q: What are the components of an interlocking concrete pavement? A: The basic components include a gravel base, bedding sand, concrete pavers with sand in their joints, and an edge restraint to contain the pavers at the perimeter. Q: What is the installation procedure? A: The area is marked for utility lines using a marking service. Once the project area is marked, the ground is excavated for several inches (6" for patios and 8" for driveways). Once the soil has been removed, the area is compacted using a plate compactor. The crushed base is brought in and spread out. The base is leveled and compacted in lifts as it is laid out. The bedding sand is spread out, leveled and screeded. The pavers are laid and the bedding sand is swept in the joints and the final project is compacted and a concrete edge restraint is installed at the perimeter of the pavers. As an option, we can install polymeric sand, especially in wet areas, such as around a swimming pool or entry areas. Q: What is the base made of? What kind should be used? A: The base is typically made of compacted, crushed stone that varies in size from one inch (25 mm) down to "200 sieve" fines. Base materials used under asphalt street pavements are acceptable for use with interlocking concrete pavements. Some installers use stabilized cement; this is a much cheaper base. We use a 3/4" minus road base that is compacted in lifts. Q: Should I seal concrete pavers? A: Sealing is not essential, but recommended in many applications. It offers some benefits like making spills and stains easier to remove. It also reduces pitting and keeps in the original color hue. Liquid sealers are applied after the pavers are installed and cleaned. It is usually recommended to seal your project after about 3 months of installation. Once applied, the sealers soak into the concrete and into the joints. The sealers in the joints help keep the joint sand in place and prevent weeds and ants. Sealers are essential for areas around swimming pools. We are very experienced sealer installers and can help you decide which product to choose and if your project needs sealing. Q: Are there disadvantages to sealing? A: It is, of course, an additional cost. Since they are a transparent paint-like coating, sealers generally need to be reapplied every three to five years. More intense use of the pavers and extreme climates often increase the need for re-applying a coat of sealer. Q: How do I remove stains and fix damaged pavers? A: If the stain is on one or two pavers, replacing them with new pavers is the easiest way. Depending on the paver, some can be flipped over rather than replaced. Many suppliers of concrete pavers offer cleaners especially made for removing stains and for overall cleaning of the surface. A great advantage to pavers is that any damage, staining, breakage, or releveling is usually concentrated in that specific area only and when repaired does not look like a patch job in most cases. Q: What happens if I have to do a repair job below the paving? Does it leave an unsightly patch mark? A: No, that is one of the long term benefits to installing pavers. Repairs are easy; because all interlocking paving is a flexible system it can also resist cracking. This is especially beneficial in Texas which has very expansive soils. The benefits of pavers are too many to list.