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Which Type of Brick Paver is Best for Your Sidewalk?

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As you look out at your yard and property, do you even assess our sidewalks? And, what about any walkways or pathways you’ve installed that lead to a seating area, a fire pit or a gazebo in addition to your standard sidewalk along the front of your property? How are they holding up?

Like many homeowners, once you assess your sidewalks, you may realize it’s time to replace them. If not all of your walkways, there’s probably one in need. And, at this point, you may as well take your assessment one step further and evaluate all of your options – especially regarding which building materials you’ll use – for replacing or installing a new sidewalk.

Are brick pavers the best building materials for your sidewalk?

Brick pavers, sometimes called pavers or paver bricks, offer many advantages for a wide variety of commercial and residential hardscape applications. But, like all options, there are considerations you must know about before you make your decision. You need to be well informed before you choose brick pavers, and once you do, you will need to know what types are available and will be best for your particular sidewalk or walkway.

Brick pavers are popular because of the aesthetic appeal they lend to any outdoor property. They have a tremendous reputation for being ideally suited for patios and steps as well as sidewalks. If you install brick pavers, one thing you can be sure of, people will compliment you on how lovely your brick paver structure is.

This is particularly applicable to sidewalks. Brick pavers distinguish themselves through their sheen, colors, and texture. Essentially, as the opposite of concrete, brick pavers offer options and image projections that other materials don’t.

What types of brick pavers are available for sidewalks?

Concrete – In most professionals’ opinions, you really have a choice of two different types of brick pavers: concrete and clay. Back in the day, it was very popular for folks to use concrete brick pavers that were colored and didn’t require any mortar. Basically, they interlocked, and they were tough. The were known to be able to tolerate a great deal of natural and manmade wear and tear.

In addition, they can be installed in just a few hours; they don’t take days of inconvenience to be in place and ready for action. And, if you need one more reason to lean toward this type of concrete brick paver, they offer an ever-expanding range of shapes, colors, and designs. So, this style is worth considering. Just keep in mind that its colors will fade and eventually, as the paste on their to surfaces wear down, which can happen in five to ten years, they’ll revert back to their original colors of gravel and sand.

Clay – The other type praised by professionals are those made of actual clay. Their solid color runs through the whole brick.  Known to be able to last up to a hundred years, they can take even more activity. Think about the old brick roads of an ear gone by. Some of them are still intact in many cities around the U.S.  These bricks are durable and cast an authentic, textured look that lends your property character and integrity.

Schedule a Quote from JJW Brick Today!

Give JJW Brick a call today to learn more about brick paver walkways for your home.  We can be reached at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS.  We look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

Lighting – The Finishing Touch on your Landscape!

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Once your commercial or residential landscaping is completed, there is one other aspect that should not go unattended. Now that your commercial property or residential yard, or outdoor living space is as beautiful as you envisioned it when it was first designed, it’s important that it’s visible for as long as possible. Furthermore, the particular focal points and highlights that you, your landscape designer and landscaping service worked so diligently to create deserve the respective amount of attention.

After all, why deny your elegant landscaping visuals to only being seen during the daytime? In fact, your landscape, and especially your focal points as mentioned above, can cast an even more aesthetically pleasing image at night than during the day – with the right lighting, of course.

How do you give your landscaping the best lighting for the greatest effects?

Working closely with an accomplished landscape designer, begin by creating a plan that incorporates the elements that architecturally distinguish and define your home’s exterior and existing landscaping. You’ll want to involve both shadows and direct light so that your yard and property projects the right tone and mood that you envision.

This vital aspect of your landscape lighting design should be addressed by also taking y9our budget and how you use the area into consideration.

Besides the visual benefits, what are the other benefits of landscape lighting?

While the elegance and beauty of the lighting itself and when strategically installed to complement your landscaping are essentially your primary motivations, landscape lighting should also be viewed as a wise investment. This is especially true if you use products that are energy efficient and last a long time. For this benefit, it’s recommended to go with aluminum or cast bronze. Do not use anything plastic.

How do I get the style and design that I want?

To put the finishing touch on this finishing touch, you’ll need to make deliberate, informed decisions regarding the type of finishes you’ll have on your lights. You have a wide range of options and your designer will certainly advise you on these selections, but particularly noteworthy are patina and copper.

You’ll also want quality and longevity in each of the products you use. For that reason, it has been recommended to use transformers that are stainless steel as long as they’re guaranteed against defects – both electrical and mechanical – that may occur at the manufacturer level. And, don’t overlook custom options such as your lightbulbs; both LED and halogen are among the options, as are solar lights.

By incorporating low voltage lights that are friendly to the environment as well as efficient, you can create the outdoor, evening ambiance you desire without costing you a fortune in energy costs or harming the environment.

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!

Repairing Your Brick Patio

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Everyone wants their patio to look beautiful. This is not possible when the bricks are not in good shape. Repairs on your brick patio are usually needed due to improper installation. Hiring an amateur contractor and going down the DIY route are the most common reasons behind improper installation.

One thing that you should keep in mind is that installation and repairs of your brick patio should always be carried out by professionals. Professionals have the knowledge and expertise and can detect the cause of failure before coming up with the action plan.

Types of Patio Failure

There are a few reasons why you might need repairs on your brick patio. Following are some of the types of failures:

  • Sunken or wavy surface
  • Sunken edges
  • Worn down surface
  • Low areas develop
  • Separated bricks
  • Edges rising or bricks rising
  • Rocking or loose bricks

Why Brick Patios Fail

There are several reasons why brick patios fail, but the most common is due to the improperly installed base. For any job to be flawless, the base has to be just right. If there is a problem with the base, the entire project is up for disaster.

The same is with the brick patio. If the concrete work or the retaining wall is not done correctly, the entire patio will get crumbled.

Following are some of the top reasons why brick patios fail:

  • Wrong material in the base
  • Poorly compacted base
  • Erosion of base
  • No or poor drainage
  • Mediocre brick pavers
  • Poor installation technique
  • Lack of paver edging
  • Thaw or freeze cycle

What Are the Costs?

You must be wondering – how much will it cost me to get my brick patio repaired? Well, there is no one answer to that question. The answer depends on the amount of work needed as well as the labor needed to perform the job.

The cost can get cut down significantly if the older materials are reusable. However, if you are looking at removal of the entire patio and rebuilding, then it might be a little costly. Like we said before, the cost will depend on the condition of your patio.

Matching Bricks

We know that you must be worried about mismatched bricks in your patio. But you don’t have to worry about that. The vast market of brick manufacturers will make the matching much easier. You can easily get the exact replica of your patio’s bricks from the market.

Materials

One of the main reasons why people need repairs is because of the materials. To save a few bucks, people turn towards lesser-quality materials. These bricks are cheap and of inferior quality; the ratio of sand is higher than the ratio of cement in these bricks. The quality of the materials must be kept in mind when you are making the purchase.

How to Deal With Discoloration if the Bricks

One of the common misconceptions that a lot of people have is that brick patios get discolored due to fading. The reason for the discoloration is not because of the sun, but because of the debris, organic matter, soil, or dust. All you have to do is power wash your brick patio, and it will be good as new.

If you are interested in repairing your brick paver patio, give JJW Brick a call!  We can be reached at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS.

 

Brick Paver Maintenance for All Seasons

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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.

Macomb Twp. Brick Paver Explains How To Extend Your Paver Patio’s Longevity

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Paver stones are known for their beauty, versatility and their extreme durability. And although they are more durable than other materials, they won’t last forever. However, there are some steps you can take to make sure your paver patio lasts as long as possible.

Hire an Experienced Brick Paver Contractor

Oftentimes, brick pavers will need to be repaired prematurely because of installation mistakes made by an inexperienced homeowner or contractor. These mistakes may include an improper base or improper grading which eventually leads to sunken areas or shifting of the pavers.

To avoid these costly repairs, have the job done right the first time and contact an experienced brick paver contractor. Your paver patio is a huge investment. So make sure to interview the contractor, ask for references, and you can even ask to take a look at their previous work.

Apply Sealant After Installation – But Not Immediately After

If you want your brick paver stones to last, sealing is not a choice, it is a must.  Sealing your pavers will help repel stains, deter weeds/moss and protect them from the seasonal elements. In the winter, you have snow, ice and salt that can wreak havoc on your pavers. Then in the summer there is the extreme heat beating down on your paver stones.

Wait at least 2 months after installation to apply a sealant. This will allow the pavers to settle correctly. However, if winter will hit before the 2 month waiting period is over, you will need to seal them anyway. Try to have your pavers installed in the spring or summer so you can allow the pavers to settle and still seal them in time for winter.

Clean and Reseal Your Paver Patio Every 2 Years

After the installation and first sealing, there is not an overwhelming amount of maintenance but you will be required to clean the patio and apply a new layer of sealant every 24 months.

This means cleaning the surface thoroughly with a pressure washer to remove any debris or stains. Next, you will need to either contact the manufacturer of the pavers or a local paver contractor to find out what product to use, to strip off the old sealant. Finally, after you have removed the old sealant, it is time to apply the new layer of sealant.

I’m Looking for a Macomb Twp. Brick Paver Contractor to Install and Maintain my Paver Patio

Ultimately, if you want to keep your pavers in the best shape as possible, you will want to have an experienced brick paver contractor install the patio to ensure no construction mistakes are made during installation.  Then, inquire about any maintenance program they may have to address the cleaning, stripping and resealing every 2 years.

If you are looking for either brick paver installation or maintenance, contact JJW Brick today at: 1-800-BRICKPAVERS and let us schedule a FREE quote for your paver patio, driveway or walkway.

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