Landscaping Brick Paving Companies | Landscaper Macomb | Paver Patio | Landscape Design Shelby Twp

Brick Paver Patio and Landscape Design Company

PMS Brick Pavers

"WE'RE THE GUYS"

You are here: Home / Archives for PMS Brick Pavers – We’re the Guys

Brick Paver Maintenance Company in Rochester Explains When to Seal Brick Pavers

by

Sealing your brick pavers is a crucial part of caring for your patio or driveway.  Sealing pavers will help protect them from everyday foot traffic, dirt and debris, and harsh winter weather.

Another benefit of sealing your brick pavers is to deter mold growth as the sealant prevents water from getting into the pores of the brick.

There are even some sealants that will enhance the color of the brick or leave a shiny finish. But, when is the right time to seal your brick pavers?

Wait Awhile After Installation

It is a common misconception that you should seal your patio or driveway immediately after it is installed. But in reality you should wait for 2-3 months to allow time for minor shifting and adjustments after the installation. Otherwise, if you seal too soon, you may end up having to pull up pavers, add more sand and relevel the paver structure.

Plan for the Weather

Heavy snowfall, extreme cold, ice that thaws and then refreezes – Michigan winters can be tough on your brick pavers. For this reason, you should seal your paver surface before winter weather hits. But what if you just installed your patio or driveway in the fall? In this particular case, you would not want to wait the whole 3 months before sealing, as stated earlier.

Weather related sinking and cracking is a much costlier repair than re-leveling a few sealed bricks. So go ahead and seal to protect your pavers from the winter weather even if your patio was installed a few weeks ago.

With that being said, the best time of year to install pavers would be spring or summer. This will allow you enough time to give your driveway or patio time to settle and still seal it before winter hits.

Clean Thoroughly Before Sealing

Before you apply sealant, you will want to remove any existing dirt and grime. Thoroughly clean your pavers with a power washer if possible. If you skip the cleaning process, any dirt or stains will be sealed in.

There are some stain removers available for specific stains such as rust and oil. Consult with a Rochester brick paver professional for more information on the best products.

Once you’ve cleaned your pavers, and they have dried completely, then apply a sealant to ensure that your paver surface stays clean and stain free for as long as possible.

You will want to clean and reseal your brick paver surfaces at least every 24 months.  When resealing your pavers, you will need to use a stripper to remove the old product before applying the new sealant.

I Need Brick Paver Maintenance in Rochester, Michigan

We hope you liked this article and learned something from it.  If you would prefer to have a professional brick paver maintenance company apply your sealant, or if you have any questions about paver maintenance, contact JJW Brick at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS.

 

What to Look for While Buying Brick Pavers?

by

Brick pavers’ versatility and durability make them the ideal choice for outdoor landscaping. Further, the aesthetic appeal granted by these pavers to driveways, walkways, patios, and pool decks has made brick pavers quite popular with homeowners and commercial property owners.

For centuries now, wood, cement, and concrete had been the most popular choices for landscaping. However, the numerous advantages offered by brick pavers have moved the opinions across countries in favor of brick pavers. While shopping for brick pavers, homeowners and interior designers should ask three critical questions: How were the brick pavers made? From what were they made? And how easy will it be to repair them?

Let us now look into each of these criteria in detail.

How Are Brick Pavers Made?

Molds are the most integral component needed to make brick pavers. Since molds are available in different sizes and shapes, brick pavers can be given any desired shape or size. Further, bricks designed using the molding process are more durable and easier to install. Furthermore, it is also easier to cast them in any texture. Thus, homeowners and interior designers that prefer to enjoy creative freedom should invariably rule in favor of brick pavers created through the molding process.

What Were the Brick Pavers Made From?

It is essential to know about the material that was used to create the brick pavers you are planning to use. In most cases, the raw material used for brick paver production is concrete aggregates or clay. These raw materials are heated at a temperature in excess of 2000 degrees. This exercise is done to grant brick pavers strength and life. Pavers made from cement and concrete using this technique show high resistance to cracks and stains and can easily survive extreme weather conditions as well. Homeowners and commercial property owners must steer clear of brick pavers made from poured concrete as they begin to crack after only a few years. Further, they quickly take stains as well.

How Easily Will It Be to Repair Them?

Yet another important question you must ask the seller before buying brick pavers is: how easily and quickly can they be repaired?

Though brick pavers are durable and usually last long years, it is impossible to ignore the possibility of them becoming damaged. Brick pavers are used for landscaping in outdoor areas, where the foot traffic remains continually high. Thus, sometimes, brick paver structures get damaged and need repairing. Fortunately, since brick pavers are made from multiple layers of bricks, damage in, most cases, is concentrated in a single area. Thus, when brick pavers get damaged, the ideal way to repair them involves working on a small space. Thus, before buying brick pavers, ask the seller if it would be possible to repair part structures or will fixing require overhauling the entire structure.

The Final Word

Whether you are designing your home or office or even a building or structure for someone else, it is important to give proper attention to details. While shopping for brick pavers, ask these three important questions and save yourself any regrets later.

Schedule a Quote from JJW Brick Today!

Give JJW Brick a call today to learn more about hardscape at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS.  We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Brick Paver Repair – It’s easier than you think!

by

Brick Paver Repair – It’s easier than you think!

Brick pavers add a level of beauty and style to every driveway, porch, or walkway. Whether it’s a business or a home, brick pavers elevate the appearance and image of every building and landscape. Once installed, they immediately alter the look and upgrade the value of the property.

In addition to their appearance, their longevity and durability are equal benefits. They last a long time, can withstand a lot of traffic and activity and can hold heavy outdoor furniture and fixtures.  And they are known to resist stains. Things like rubber marks and oil can be removed simply, without a lot of hard work and hassle.

For these reasons, it’s the rare person who doesn’t want to have brick pavers as part of their exterior. Because they’re available in a wide range of colors and patterns, brick pavers will allow you to realize the look and feel that you envisioned without settling or compromising.

However, far too many people opt not to create a more elegant walkway or porch because they’re afraid that repairs will be too frequent and costly.

But that’s just not the case.

Here are the brick paver repair basics.

Granted, there could very likely be the occasion when brick pavers will need to be repaired. They can break and they can crack. But the damage is isolated to just those one or two brick pavers needing to be repaired.

You need only have those that are clearly damaged repaired at that time. Often times, structures like driveways, walkways, porches, etc. that are made of building materials other than brick pavers have to be entirely repaired at the sign of damage in an area. But, if your structure(s) is constructed of brick pavers, it doesn’t have to be entirely repaired just because one or two brick pavers have a crack or a break.

And, it’s important to note that over time, brick pavers can get loosened and wobble a bit. This is a serious situation that needs immediate attention. Loose pavers are a hazard as they can cause trips and falls. But the loose ones can be repaired; repairs are especially effective when polymeric sand is applied to further secure them.

Brick paver professionals are trained and dedicated to the entire brick paver process – from collaborating with you on your design, to installation, and doing any repairs that may be needed.  Your responsibility is to make sure you chose the most ideal brick pavers for your walkway, driveway or porch, and then to enjoy it.

Leave the rest to the professionals who are committed to making sure you do.

Schedule a Free Brick Paver Repair Quote Today!

Give JJW Brick a call today to learn more about interlocking pavers for a patio or walkway project at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS.  We hope to work with you soon!

The Quality, Characteristics, and Benefits of Polymeric Sand 

by

The Quality, Characteristics, and Benefits of Polymeric Sand

Paver patios and walkways are beautiful aspects of outdoor landscaping. But, like all fine landscaping elements, they require varying levels of maintenance. The extent and degree of maintenance your paver walkway or patio requires can be largely dependent on your choice of joint sand that is used for your interlocking pavers.

So, why is Polymeric Sand the Best Choice for your Patio or Walkway?

By learning about polymeric sand, you’ll likely find yourself in agreement with a lot of professional landscapers and contractors that polymeric sand is indeed the wisest choice. So before placing just any sand between your pavers, give serious consideration to polymeric sand.

It’s all about the Binding

Polymeric sand starts out like builder’s or mortar sand that is used for any construction; its primary component is silica sand or quartz.  Polymers, which are added to it, are the key ingredients that distinguish it from other joint sand.

Different brands incorporate either chemical or organic components that bind the sand particles together.  It is this act of binding that produces polymeric sand’s high-performance quality.

Regular sand washes away as the result of all sorts of irritations and conditions. From water runoff and the heavy spray of a hose to pounding rain – regular sand is not known for remaining in place.

Polymeric sand, on the other hand, doesn’t need to be replaced because it got washed away after a major rainstorm or heavy spraying while being cleaned. This is due to its binding quality and properties as described above.

No one wants weeds growing in between pavers. That is probably the most common source of dissatisfaction with those who installed a paver walkway or patio. This can be prevented if you use polymeric sand. Seeds can blow in and root in other types of joint sand. But this is not the case with polymeric sand which blocks out water and seeds that prompt weeds to take root.

Closely tied with weeds as the number one nuisance to a paver patio or walkway are ants. Ants displace joint sand as they form their nests and dig their tunnels. Even if they don’t cause extreme damage to your patio or walkway, ants are a bother every homeowner would rather be without. Polymeric sand helps eliminate the ant problems and additional problems they cause to your paver patio or walk.  Thanks once again to polymeric sand’s binding properties.

For More Information on Polymeric Sand

If you want to make the most out of your brick pavers, maintenance is required.  Give JJW Brick a call today to learn more about brick paver maintenance and repair services at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS.  We hope to work with you soon!

Fall Maintenance Tips for Hardscape

by

Summers are officially moving away to make space for the winter season. Make the best use of the last few sunny days of this year to prepare your hardscape for the coming harsh winters. Concrete pavers have the inherent ability to fight against the atrocities committed by the winter season. However, there are still a few essential things humans can do to ensure the longevity of pavers and other hardscape products.

This article sheds light on various industry-recommended cleaning practices for pavers and hardscape products.

Get Rid of Any Signs of the Fall

Fall leaves can wreak havoc for your concrete pavers and hardscape products and materials. Before either rain or frost covers the ground, make sure you have cleared all the debris. Fall leaves can leave behind obstinate stains after a heavy shower or snowfall. Similarly, also give due attention to your patios, walkways, and driveways. Make sure all the steps and seats are firmly in place. The frost and thaw cycles, synonymous with winters, are wholly capable of turning a minor flaw into significant damage. Taking care of minor issues while the sun is still out will allow your hardscape to emerge strong once the winters are over.

Check for Joint Materials

Joint materials ensure good health of pavers. In the absence of sturdy joint materials, pavers become susceptible to wear and tear, especially after snow and thaw cycles. Moreover, joint materials also play an essential role in getting rid of insects and weeds on the surfaces of pavers. The most preferred paver joint material is sand. Mix sand with a joint stabilizer, and you have the perfect joint material for your pavers.

While installing joint material, make sure to place the joint sand stabilizer between 1/8 to 1/4 inches below the paver. Such a placement will facilitate proper drainage of water. Moreover, once the material has dried, remove any extra bit left behind to prevent staining. Summer is also the time to ensure if the joints of your pavers are in good health. More often than not, rough weather conditions take a toll on paver joints and erode them.

Make Sure to Remove Snow and Ice Immediately

Removing snow and ice may seem like an arduous task, but it’s crucial to ensure the excellent health of concrete pavers. Remove both ice and snow from pavers as soon as possible. A shovel is the best equipment to do this job. However, the tip of the shovel can leave the pavers damaged. Therefore, cover the tip of the shovel with a rubber plate guard before using it to remove ice or fleet. Use the shovel gently and place it at a comfortable angle to the pavers to ensure no damage.

Some people will recommend using deicer agents to remove snow. We recommend you to keep your pavers as far away from deicer agents as possible as these agents induce efflorescence, leaving the pavers damaged. If you are anticipating heavy snow or rain, sprinkle a thick layer of sand on pavers to minimize any slipping or skidding.

Conclusion

Maintaining pavers and hardscape products and materials isn’t a difficult task. However, you must start preparing your hardscape now as winter is coming.

Maintaining Brick Paver Driveways and Patios

by

A homeowner can do a lot with brick pavers. Durable, beautiful and used in a variety of ways, brick pavers can last a long time and increase the value of your home. But the opposite is true if they are neglected. They become unsightly, hazardous and cast a very bad impression on your home and even your neighborhood.

Following are 3 helpful recommendations for maintaining the look, feel and pleasure of your brick pavers:

Maintaining Brick Paver Driveways and Patios

A homeowner can do a lot with brick pavers. Durable, beautiful and used in a variety of ways, brick pavers can last a long time and increase the value of your home. But the opposite is true if they are neglected. They become unsightly, hazardous and cast a very bad impression on your home and even your neighborhood.

Following are 3 helpful recommendations for maintaining the look, feel and pleasure of your brick pavers:

Keep them Clean

Dirt, grime, and stains are the first place your eye travels when looking at anything. This certainly holds true for your paver bricks.

But keeping your pavers free of unattractive dirt and stains is easy when you clean them often.  It only requires lukewarm water. Granted, if you have particularly tough stains – especially in areas the a get the most activity – you’ll want to use a bit warmer water, some dish soap and a scrubber. Just be gentle when you scrub the surface.

You’ll also get results by using the strong stream of your garden hose. Try to stay away from the cracks when you’re spraying as it can shift the sand between the bricks. This will eventually lead to the pavers themselves shifting so use caution when spraying.

Get Rid of Weeds

Paver bricks spaces and cracks are a favorite spot for weeds to grow. To keep the surface of your pavers smooth, and to keep them looking their best, you must get rid of the weeds.

There are two methods for doing this. – with chemicals or by hand. Both are effective. It will depend on which one is best for you based upon your preferences. If you pull by hand, you’ll work harder for sure. However, keep in mind that you’ll still need to manually remove the dead plant residue from the cracks if you use any kind of herbicide.

Apply a Sealant

Maintaining your brick paver driveway or patio involves more than keeping up with its appearance. Sealing your pavers fills in pores which helps your driveway, walkway or patio stay cleaner. Sealants are sprayed or brushed onto the surface to create a shield that protects against the various deterrents known to harm or damage the pavers.

Applying a sealant also helps deter weed growth and makes the pavers easier to clean.  While providing this level of maintenance, an applied sealant functions like glue and helps the pavers to stay in place.

are the first place your eye travels when looking at anything. This certainly holds true for your paver bricks.

But keeping your pavers free of unattractive dirt and stains is easy when you clean them often.  It only requires lukewarm water. Granted, if you have particularly tough stains – especially in areas the a get the most activity – you’ll want to use a bit warmer water, some dish soap and a scrubber. Just be gentle when you scrub the surface.

You’ll also get results by using the strong stream of your garden hose. Try to stay away from the cracks when you’re spraying as it can shift the sand between the bricks. This will eventually lead to the pavers themselves shifting so use caution when spraying.

Get Rid of Weeds

Paver bricks spaces and cracks are a favorite spot for weeds to grow. To keep the surface of your pavers smooth, and to keep them looking their best, you must get rid of the weeds.

There are two methods for doing this. – with chemicals or by hand. Both are effective. It will depend on which one is best for you based upon your preferences. If you pull by hand, you’ll work harder for sure. However, keep in mind that you’ll still need to manually remove the dead plant residue from the cracks if you use any kind of herbicide.

Apply a Sealant

Maintaining your brick paver driveway or patio involves more than keeping up with its appearance. Sealing your pavers fills in pores which helps your driveway, walkway or patio stay cleaner. Sealants are sprayed or brushed onto the surface to create a shield that protects against the various deterrents known to harm or damage the pavers.

Applying a sealant also helps deter weed growth and makes the pavers easier to clean.  While providing this level of maintenance, an applied sealant functions like glue and helps the pavers to stay in place.

Tips for Maintaining Your Brick Paver Pool Deck

by

Summer is upon us and with it comes the hot weather that is best spent at the beach or the pool. If you’re lucky enough to own a pool, you’re probably aware that owning a pool isn’t all luxury. Owning a pool can be hard work. Between the regular cleanings, staying on top of chlorine levels, and adding shock, owning a pool can be a project in and of itself. Maintaining your brick paver pool deck doesn’t have to be

Benefits of a Brick Paver Pool Deck

When it comes to deciding what type of pool decking material to go with, brick pavers stand out above other options. Opting for a brick paver pool deck allows you to completely customize the look of your pool. Brick pavers come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors that allow you to create the backyard oasis of your dreams. Aesthetics aside, brick pavers are a durable option that ensures that your pool deck will be a great addition for years to come.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of having a brick paver pool deck is the added safety of its slip-resistant surface. Brick pavers are textured to allow a better grip on wet surfaces. This added texture can give you the peace of mind that when your children go back and forth between the pool that they won’t be as likely to slip and fall due to a slick surface.

So What Exactly Goes Into Maintaining Your Brick Paver Pool Deck?

Even the best pool deck will need a little maintenance to keep it in great shape throughout the years. The good news is that maintaining your brick paver pool deck is relatively simple.  Here are a few tips that will help keep your pool deck looking new for years to come.

  1. Make sure to apply sealant at least 24 hours after your brick paver pool deck has been set. Sealant is a guard against stains and discoloration that generally lasts two to three years after the initial application.
  2. If any spills occur that result in a stain, simply pressure wash them away. Your sealant should make this a quick and easy process.
  3. Routinely inspect for any cracked or broken brick pavers. If throughout the years you start to notice damaged brick pavers, it’s a simple fix.  Only the damaged bricks need to be replaced, rather than replacing your entire pool deck.
  4. Don’t forget to inspect the stairs to your pool deck if you have them. Make sure to check for broken or wobbly brick pavers on the stairs of your pool deck to prevent slips or falls.  Generally, this won’t happen for years due to the durability of the brick pavers, but it’s important to keep your pool deck and stairs up to code.

Having a brick paver pool deck is a wonderful addition to any yard that is easy to maintain.  That maintenance is made easier with the help of our brick paver repair team.  Give us a call today at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS to learn how we can help with your brick paver pool deck maintenance.

What Does Unacceptable Brick Paving Work Look Like?

by

If you’ve noticed a downgrade or demise in quality and craftsmanship in areas of your personal, home, or work life, you won’t be surprised to learn that it’s happening in various factions of the construction industry overall and brick paver work in particular.

To the truly dedicated professionals in every field, poor quality is very concerning. It’s an indirect refection against them.

And once again, this holds true in the brick paver business. Brick pavers are popular because of their beautiful appearance, flexibility, and durability. So, when a bad job reflects otherwise, it’s concerning to many of those in the brick paver business, in addition to the homeowners who have to deal with the bad job.

So, when contracting your next brick paver job, be aware of these 3 signs of a bad job and take steps to avoid those results happening on your brick paver structures.

Unsafe, unattractive borders

Poor paver work is quickly noticeable if there are no edge restraints. Whether it’s intentional for cost-saving reasons, remiss of lack of knowledge, or simply an oversight, the lack of edge restraints is a sure sign of low-quality work. Borders need continuous pressure; without it the borders are unsightly and dangerous because people are more apt to trip and fall.

Improper water runoff

When brick pavers are built correctly, they are slightly tilted. Even though they look and feel flat, they have a slight slope which aids in the runoff of water. If the slope is not correct, water accumulates and you’ll see puddling.

You’ll also see water accumulation in the form of puddling if sections of soil below the surface are loose. Eventually, they’ll compress, the surface will become uneven and when there’s water around – from rain or a hose as an example – puddles will form.

Lack of polymeric sand

If you ask homeowners with substandard brick paver work what bothers them the most about them, their answers will likely be weed growth.  Chances are the brick paver companies that deliver brick paver jobs resulting in weeds growing between the bricks don’t know or don’t care to know that the way to prevent weed growth between paver bricks is to make sure the surface has polymeric sand.

Brick Pavers – Are they the Finest Landscaping Material?

by

They’re certainly highly popular.  In fact, brick pavers are considered the most popular when it comes to outdoor landscaping. Used for everything from driveways and patios to walkways and pool decks, they’re versatile, durable and look great.

So, it’s easy to see why many – in and out of the industry – claim that brick pavers are the best of all the materials used in landscaping. Accepting that means taking a quick look at brick pavers’ “competition”.; namely wood and concrete as well as other such materials used in outdoor building.

From there, it’s easy to point out how the 3 primary characteristics of brick pavers give them clearly distinctive advantages over all other outdoor building materials.

The 3 main distinguishing features, advantages and characteristics of brick pavers are:

What they’re made of, how they’re made, and how easily damage can be repaired.

Let’s look at each one.

What are brick pavers made of?

Using concrete aggregates or clay, brick pavers are made at temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees. This process at that temperature is why they are so strong and durable. They’re much more resistant to cracks and stains and are quite steadfast in extreme weather conditions.

Poured concrete is often stained and cracks can begin to appear in as little as a few years.

How are brick pavers made?

One key distinctive feature of brick pavers is that molds are used to make them. Molds offer many options in terms of shapes and sizes. Furthermore, the mold process makes the brick pavers easier to install which inspires many more creative, individualized outdoor designs.   These designs can include use of different textures casting the appearance of a variety of different surfaces such as natural stone.

How are they repaired when damaged?

Even though they are known for their impressive durability, brick pavers can still become damaged. They “reside” in the elements and all sorts of things occur – without warning or avoidance – in the elements.

Fortunately, since a brick paver structure is composed of many single bricks, damage to the structure is usually in only one smaller area.

So, instead of having to replace an entire structure, typically damage is minimized to a few bricks that need to be replaced. And the entire structure looks like new again.

Convenient, strong, durable, and flexible, brick pavers are a wise, practical choice when deciding how to elevate your outdoor living areas.

Brick Pavers – Are they the Finest Landscaping Material?

by

They’re certainly highly popular.  In fact, brick pavers are considered the most popular when it comes to outdoor landscaping. Used for everything from driveways and patios to walkways and pool decks, they’re versatile, durable and look great.

So, it’s easy to see why many – in and out of the industry – claim that brick pavers are the best of all the materials used in landscaping. Accepting that means taking a quick look at brick pavers’ “competition”.; namely wood and concrete as well as other such materials used in outdoor building.

From there, it’s easy to point out how the 3 primary characteristics of brick pavers give them clearly distinctive advantages over all other outdoor building materials.

The 3 main distinguishing features, advantages and characteristics of brick pavers are:

What they’re made of, how they’re made, and how easily damage can be repaired.

Let’s look at each one.

What are brick pavers made of?

Using concrete aggregates or clay, brick pavers are made at temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees. This process at that temperature is why they are so strong and durable. They’re much more resistant to cracks and stains and are quite steadfast in extreme weather conditions.

Poured concrete is often stained and cracks can begin to appear in as little as a few years.

How are brick pavers made?

One key distinctive feature of brick pavers is that molds are used to make them. Molds offer many options in terms of shapes and sizes. Furthermore, the mold process makes the brick pavers easier to install which inspires many more creative, individualized outdoor designs.   These designs can include the use of different textures casting the appearance of a variety of different surfaces such as natural stone.

How are they repaired when damaged?

Even though they are known for their impressive durability, brick pavers can still become damaged. They “reside” in the elements and all sorts of things occur – without warning or avoidance – in the elements.

Fortunately, since a brick paver structure is composed of many single bricks, damage to the structure is usually in only one smaller area.

So, instead of having to replace an entire structure, typically damage is minimized to a few bricks that need to be replaced. And the entire structure looks like new again.

Convenient, strong, durable, and flexible, brick pavers are a wise, practical choice when deciding how to elevate your outdoor living areas

Recent Landscape Projects…

More Recent Projects...

Read Our Reviews…

Read More Reviews...

JJW Brick.com | Sterling Hts., Michigan

JJW Brick.com Houzz Profile