Pave stones are being installed throughout America like crazy. Places like city parks, residential developments, intersection and strip malls have chosen to use pave stones for simple reasons. pave stones are relatively affordable, beautiful, durable, allow for flexibility in design and offer an unmatched ease of access to any underground utility lines.

The increasing popularity also shows in residential markets, and for good reasons. Like concrete, pave stones have a price bracket which is usually equal to, or less, than stamped concrete. The benefits of installing pave stones over concrete, asphalt or gravel for driveways, walkways, patios or pools decks are clear. Pave stones are four times stronger than concrete; there is a wider selection of colors and textures available, prices are comparable, and the replacement of stained or broken stones is convenient. Cutting out bits of an old stained concrete driveway and re-pouring concrete will certainly stand out. All that is required with a pave stone patch to to simply shimmy out the stained stones with two flat head screwdrivers, put in the new stone, re-top the joint sand and you will never know there was ever an issue.

There is, however, a small amount of maintenance or upkeep associated with pavers. They should be swept or sprayed off occasionally to keep clean. Joint sand should be replenished if it gets ½ inch or so below the bevel line. Any weed growth should be sprayed with a week killer and if you pave stones are sealed, they should be resealed every two to three years. While this may seem like a lengthy punch list, these steps don’t take an absorbent amount of time and are a rare occurrence.

If you have any sinking or bowling in your pave stone surface it is most likely something that wasn’t addressed during the installation process and isn’t something that is considered a maintenance issue. This is caused from base failure, which is either from a lack of base or an unstable (usually clay) native soil that has absorbed some of the base. The good news is this can be an easy fix with pave stones. Again, simply pull the affected area up, make any necessary repairs and reinstall the pave stones.