Concrete Paver Driveway Repair: How to Replace Pavers
In addition to making a remarkably attractive concrete paver driveway, the concrete pavers are affordable and at the same time are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, textures and colors. They are short blocks like bricks and are employed for surfacing of driveways or pavements and give colorful and textured look rather than weary flat appearance of concrete driveways.
The concrete blocks are sturdy and more durable compared to bricks and practically require minimal repair and maintenance. They require casual cleaning and sealing for their normal upkeep. These pavers also face the type of damages like most of the concrete constructions.
The normal wear and tear includes cracks, pits or surface abrasions. It is possible to repair small driveways easily in a short time. Repairing of the concrete driveways entails only normal skills and a few rentals of tools.
Materials and Tools
- Steel wire brush
- Joint repair sealant
- Neutral cleanser
- Putty knife
- Concrete patch mix
- Epoxy sealant
- Concrete pigment
- Pry bar
- Extra pavers
- Joint sand
Step 1- Repairing Cracks
Clean the cracks or chipping with a steel wire brush to remove all dirt or trash. Wash the cracks with neutral cleaner and leave them to dry thoroughly. Repair small cracks on surface and fillets in the pavers applying joint repair sealant with small putty knife. Scrape away extra sealant from the surface. Allow it to cure for about 24 hours. Grind the surface level with the other pavers.
Step 2- Repairing the Pits
Clean the surface to be repaired with a brush and remove any loose concrete bits. Mix the concrete patch according to the manufacturer’s directions. Add a matching color pigment to color the mix, if the pavers are colored. The patch mix should be left aside for about 15 minutes to get activated. Apply a very thin coat of epoxy adhesive on the surface to be repaired.
Use the concrete patch mix to repair the surface damages or pits on the pavers. The patch can be easily applied and spread to cover the surface blemishes. Pavers should be pressed using rubber mallets into the sand substrate and should be leveled with other pavers. The patch forms a hard surface like the original pavers. Let the surfaces get dried and hardened.
Step 3- Replacing the Unserviceable Pavers
Remove the unusable heavily damaged pavers. Take out the sand in the joint using a wire brush around the paver to be removed. Use pry bar to remove the damaged paver. Clean and remove all debris from position of damaged paver and then replace the new paver into that position. Fill the joints around the new paver with the joint sand. To do this, pour the sand into the joints between the pavers. Tap the newly installed paver with a mallet and make it level with adjoining pavers and settle down the sand in the gaps.
Step 4: Sealing the Joints
Seal all joints and surfaces of repaired as well as replaced with the help of concrete sealant. The sealant should be left to dry for 72 hours. The driveway should not be used during this period.
