Do Pavers & Patios Sink Over Time? Yes, But There is a Way to Avoid Sinking Patios and Pavers

SUMMARY

You may have noticed recently that your pavers look sunken when you know it wasn’t like that. What could be causing it? Here in this helpful article, we will walk you through what could be causing it, how to fix it, and how to be more informed so that in the future, you will know how to address the problem with confidence if it ever arises again. We will provide you with helpful advice and when you should consider getting outside help before you decide to DIY it. So, read on and learn everything you need to know when it comes to your sinking patios and pavers.

What are the Common Causes of Sinking Patios and Pavers?

Poor Installation

One of the biggest causes of sinking pavers and patios is improper installation. What defines improper installation? It is when your pavers and patios do not have a solid foundation established before they are laid down. For instance, if the base material for the foundation is not compacted properly, it can loosen over time. This can cause the pavers to settle unevenly. Without proper compaction, gaps can form between pavers, resulting in the pavers being caused to sink due to the loose material below. Another reason is that the company doesn’t excavate deep enough to get past the initial poor-quality soil or debris below the pavers. So, if the base material is too shallow, it will lack adequate support. Another reason is if the wrong materials are used or if not enough gravel or crushed stone was used during installation. If improper installation is performed or if improper materials are used, it will create an uneven base, which can lead to drainage issues as well. Other reasons could be not installing edge restraints that help lock pavers in place. This is why it is important to do your research and invest in a landscaping company that has positive reviews and is highly knowledgeable about patio and paver installation.

Natural Causes

There can be natural causes of sinking pavers that aren’t due to neglect or a poor base. Soil erosion is a good example. The soil will naturally settle or erode based on particular environmental factors like moisture content, compaction, and the weight of the structures above it. Heavy rainfall and changes in moisture levels can further exacerbate the situation. Another natural issue that can cause sinking pavers and patios is tree roots. When tree roots grow and spread, they can push against and lift the soil beneath pavers. This can cause shifting and voids in the soil, causing pavers to sink. Lastly, another natural cause is poor drainage. Heavy rainfall or flooding can override any drainage setup you may have built. Once water accumulates beneath the patios or pavers, it erodes the supporting soil, followed by the sinking.

How to Fix Sinking Patios and Pavers

Proper Methods

Now that you understand the causes of sinking pavers and patios, how do you prevent them from staying that way? Luckily, with our proper patio installation tips, you can amend the problem. Once you have established the underlying cause, you can develop the best strategy to fix it. You should gather the necessary tools and materials to fix it, depending on what kind of pavers or patios you have and what kind of environment you have. Typically, the process involves removing the sinking pavers and cleaning them off with a soft brush. You can use coarse sand or crushed stone to fill in gaps in the base layer. This ensures that the base will be well-compacted and be a stable foundation when you put the pavers back. Once properly leveling the base layer, you can place your pavers back and secure them by filling the joints (spaces) between them. After installing the pavers, you can perform paver maintenance checks to ensure they don’t sink again.

Prevent Sinking in the Future

To prevent sinking patios and pavers in the future, you should ensure you understand the causes of sinking pavers. Knowledge is power, saving you time, effort, and money to be proactive. Please make sure you are knowledgeable when it comes to patio installation and paver maintenance. Choose a good location for your pavers to be laid down, a clear space free away from large trees or near where bodies of water may gather. Make sure the pavers have a level base foundation with compacted soil. Install and establish systems that will improve the longevity of your pavers, like a proper drainage system to prevent soil erosion, or edge restrains to lock pavers into place. Lastly, regularly check your pavers and watch for any signs of shifting or sinking. Knowing this, you can perform a minor fix to address the problem.

When You Should Seek Professional Help

Professional Paver and Patio Installation

If you are not knowledgeable about installing patios, it is better to hire a professional paving or landscaping company to do the work for you. Installing your own pavers through trial and error could be more costly and time-consuming. By hiring a paving company, you can rely on a team of knowledgeable professionals to get the work done. They’ll be able to efficiently lay pavers down and provide expert patio installation tips when choosing the best patios and pavers for your situation. If you have a large area you need to cover with pavers or install additional features, paving professionals will greatly benefit you.

Professional Paver and Patio Repair

For paver maintenance or patio repair, you should call a professional if you don’t know how to repair patios or pavers. Professionals come in handy for a large or complex project requiring more manpower, like installing a new driveway or patio. Their expertise in installation, replacing or re-leveling pavers, installing drainage, or choosing new pavers to replace missing or damaged ones, will go a long way and be worth the investment.

Conclusion

You have learned a lot to help prevent sinking patios in the future. You have learned the causes of sinking pavers, helpful patio installation tips, and the importance of paver maintenance checks. If you follow these helpful tips, you’ll have great-looking patios or pavers that will last years! To avoid the headache of sinking pavers and patios; one of the best ways to avoid that issue is to invest in a good, reliable, reputable landscaping company. That’s how we at Busy Lil’ Beavers can help you! You can rely on us to bring your patio vision to life with quality work, durable materials, and transparent operations. Interested? Call us at (574) 900-2759 or contact us to get a free quote to receive a structured and customized plan that fits your budget and plans.