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5 Tips to Protect Your Pavers from Harsh Weather

January 4, 2019 by PMS Brick Pavers – We’re the Guys

Many countries across the US are experiencing snow these days. The frigid weather is expected to last for the next couple of months. This can take a toll on pavers by reducing their life. However, by taking a few preventive steps, the life of the pavers can be extended.

Here are some tips that can help protect pavers during the cold winter months.

1. Avoid Using Deicing Agents

Many deicing agents are harmful for pavers. Apart from damaging them, they can kill the surrounding plants and grass due to a higher concentration of salt.

Instead of using a deicing agent such as rock salt or others, you should simply clean the driveway and then use sand. Sand is not only cheaper but also environmentally friendly. Moreover, it will give greater traction to your pavers.

2. Seal the Pavers

Pavers should be sealed to avoid damage. Water that enters through cracks can expand and damage them. By sealing the pavers, you can provide added protection to them. As a result, the water will stay on the surface.

Experts recommend sealing pavers every five years. The cost of sealing will be a lot less in the long run than the repair costs due to winter damage.

3. Use a Composite Decking Material

A composite decking material should be used for building outdoor decks. This will ensure that water does not slip and damage the pavers. Moreover, using a composite decking material can also prevent damage to the deck surface.

The deck should also be sealed to avoid water running off the surface, thereby preventing pavers from getting damaged during the winter season.

4. Paver Design

In areas that receive a lot of snowfall, it’s important to design a driveway that accommodates heavy objects such as snow plows. The forethought can prevent costly repairs later on.

If your pavers are not made from a high quality material, they may get scratched or cracked due to regular plowing. While cracks and chips may not affect the life of pavers, they may decrease their aesthetic appeal. To avoid damage, choose pavers that are not made out of aggressive textures.

5. Paver Color

Apart from design, the color of a paver also affects the degradation level during winters. Darker color tends to attract a lot of heat due to which snow can melt faster. So, this is something you should consider when selecting pavers for your driveway.

On a final note, make sure that the pavers are made of high-quality materials. While quality pavers may be costly, they can save you a lot of money in the long term since you will pay less in repairs. A higher quality paver can last for decades without any problems.

The concrete material used should have a high PSI since it will be less likely to be affected by deicing agents during winter. The PSI strength determines the concrete’s strength, as well as the porosity and absorption level. This will less likely result in pavers getting damaged due to snow.

Give JJW Brick a call today at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS to for more tips on how to maintain your brick pavers this Michigan winter.

Maintaining Your Clinton Township Brick Pavers This Winter

November 30, 2018 by PMS Brick Pavers – We’re the Guys

While the first official day of winter isn’t upon us yet, the ice, snow, and cold weather are already hitting our Clinton Township homes. You may think it’s too late in the fall to have any new additions to your yard due to the weather. That simply isn’t the case.

Using brick pavers to for your new addition is a great way to boost your curb appeal during all seasons. If you choose to update the hardscape of your yard in the fall and winter months, those additions will be ready for you in the spring and summer months. Properly maintaining your brick pavers this winter is key to a smooth transition to the warmer months.

The Benefits of Choosing Brick Pavers

There are many benefits to choosing brick pavers for your new additions. Brick pavers can be used to update driveways, walkways, pool decks, patios, and more! Understanding the benefits of choosing brick pavers may help you understand why so many homeowners are choosing brick pavers for their own homes!

Brick pavers are a durable, slip-resistant material that can last for years without needing to be replaced. They are low maintenance and the repairs associated with them are often simple. In fact, in the case where a brick paver is cracked or damaged, only the damaged brick paver needs to be replaced. Other building materials require the entire structure be replaced when one area is damaged.

Another reason that homeowners choose brick pavers for their home additions is that brick pavers are customizable and can help create almost any design you desire. This beautiful and customizable building material is a great way to boost the value of your home.

Tips for Winter Maintenance

Once homeowners understand the benefits of brick pavers, they often want to do everything possible to maintain their new addition. The great news is that brick pavers are low maintenance, even in the winter months. Here are just a few tips to get help keep your brick pavers in the best condition possible this winter!

Tips for Dry Days:

Repair or replace damaged or broken brick pavers. Uneven surfaces can be a hazard in the winter months.
Remove leaves from the surface of your brick pavers. Leaves that are allowed to decompose on your brick pavers can stain and require extra work in the spring months to clean.
Add sealant to help protect the surface of your brick pavers.

Tips for Snowy Days:

Avoid using de-icing agents and use rock salt instead.
Use a plastic shovel when possible. Metal shovels can scratch the surface of your brick pavers.
Cover the blades of your snow plows and snow blowers with a plastic blade protector for added protection against scratches.

Whether you’re thinking about having a new addition placed in your Clinton Township yard or you already have one you’re trying to maintain, JJW Brick can help you with all your brick paver maintenance needs. Give us a call today at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS to get started today!

Brick Paver Maintenance for All Seasons

September 14, 2018 by PMS Brick Pavers – We’re the Guys

You may have been on the fence about choosing brick pavers for your next home addition. Many people are afraid that brick pavers are higher a high maintenance building material and shy away from choosing them.

However, brick pavers are a durable and low maintenance option for many home projects including patios, walkways, or pool decks. Properly maintaining your brick pavers can leave them looking nice through all seasons.

Tips for Maintaining Your Brick Pavers

If you’ve been on the fence about brick pavers, it’s time to get off it and see for yourself what a great option brick pavers can be for your next project. Keeping your brick pavers looking nice for years doesn’t need to be a hassle. Here are some simple maintenance tips to prolong the lifespan of your brick pavers.

Fill in gaps with polymeric sand. Polymeric sand is sand that is combined with additives like silica that when mixed with water form a binding agent. Polymeric sand is a great addition to brick pavers as it can prevent weeds from sprouting up between brick pavers and can help level uneven spots. Loose or wobbly brick pavers can be corrected using polymeric sand.
Keep brick pavers free of debris. Keep your brick paver patio or pool deck clear of debris by sweeping regularly. This is especially important in the fall and spring. Leaves and other natural debris that is left piled on your brick paver can eventually stain or discolor your brick pavers. Not only does debris potentially stain your brick pavers, it also acts as a slipping hazard. Avoid these issues altogether by staying proactive about sweeping your brick pavers.
Apply a sealant to your brick pavers every two to three years. One of the best preventive measures you can employ for your brick pavers is the use of a sealant. Sealants act as protection against stains and discoloration from the elements, allowing you to extend the lifespan of your brick pavers. When brick pavers are installed, a sealant is generally placed shortly after and won’t need to be reapplied for the two to three years as mentioned above. Many people choose to apply sealant in the summer so that it quickly seals and protects the brick pavers.

Be proactive about repairing damaged brick pavers. While brick pavers are a durable material which can last for years, it’s still important to have damaged or missing brick pavers replaced. The good news is that only the damaged brick pavers need to be replaced, rather than replacing your entire brick paver patio or walkway. Brick pavers that are missing can lead to water pooling and then freezing in the winter, which can in turn damage the surrounding brick pavers. The best maintenance choice you can make before winter is repairing or replacing any damaged brick pavers.

The Trusted Choice

Maintaining your brick pavers can truly be a simple task if you follow the tips mentioned above. Maintaining your brick pavers can be made even easier with the help of your trusted brick paver contractors. Here at JJW brick, we help with not only brick paver installation, but also repair, cleaning, and paver sealing. Give us a call today at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS to start your brick paver maintenance.

Comparing Brick Pavers and Concrete

September 7, 2018 by PMS Brick Pavers – We’re the Guys

There are a lot of options homeowners have when replacing or adding a driveway, patio or walkway in the outdoor living area. This decision can be difficult if you don’t have knowledge about the various paving materials.

Some materials are far more cost-effective, durable or easy to maintain than others. The most common options are paving stones or concrete slabs. Both have their own advantages depending on what you need.

Paving stones are usually made some with different materials like concrete, brick, or natural stones. All of these materials are integrated to create durable and flexible paving stones. On the other hand, concrete slabs are easy to install. They can also be customized in terms of designs and textures.

Cost Comparisons

Concrete slabs usually cost less than paving stones in terms of per square foot spaces. They cost around 10% to 15% less than paving stones which can be a great way to save some money.

Concrete slabs are more affordable if you buy them up front, but they cost more in terms of maintenance, repairs or replacement. If you already have a stamped concrete and you want to upgrade it, you may want to go with paving stones. They chalk up to the same price in most cases and have low costs over time.

Installation Comparison

If you are using concrete, it can take a long time to cure. They are very easy to install but render your driveway unusable while they dry and cure. The whole process includes grading, preparing the foundation, pouring concrete, drying, and curing. You may have to get extra concrete since fixing mistakes after the concrete has dried is very expensive.

The disadvantage of concrete is that it can shift if the ground moves. This can create slab leaks and cracks in the foundation. If an improper installation is done then it can also create discoloring, staining and retaining of water.

Paving stone installation is a much more lengthy process. It’s very labor intensive but has no curing time. It can be used immediately after it is laid down and is very easy to adjust if mistakes occur.

Maintenance

Paving stones doesn’t demand a lot of attention, but the joints in the stones may require some care. Moss and weed can develop in the joints of the stones. If the ground shifts, it may also create cracks in the paving stones. These are easier to fix than concrete slab cracks. Concrete repairs are also more visible than paving stone replacements since matching colors is hard.

Staining and cracking of concrete can become an eyesore, especially if the slab ages. Your concrete slab may need upgrades eventually, to cover such marks. Weeds and moss can also develop in the cracks of the concrete.

Pavers are four times stronger than concrete slabs making them more durable and reliable materials. They may be more expensive, but they are highly cost-effective for residential areas in the long run.

Interested in Learning More About Brick Pavers?

If you are interested in learning more about brick pavers, or feel that adding brick pavers to your landscape would be a good fit, please give us a call today. We can be reached at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS. We would love to answer any questions that you may have!

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