When you want to have a lasting paver patio built at your home in the Lexington or Winchester, MA, area, it’s important that basic steps are followed to ensure that it is durable. Here are seven tips for creating a beautiful paver patio that will last for many years to come.
Related: Choosing the Right Color for Your Patio Pavers to Complement Expert Masonry in Winchester, MA
Hire a Reputable Landscape Contractor
Choose a landscape contractor with a good reputation for their high-quality work. A lot of what contributes to a durable paver patio comes down to how it is built. You can ensure that the landscape contractor that you hire is a good one by asking for references of customers who have had a paver patio installed in the past. Contact these references to hear about their projects, and be sure to ask how their paver patios are holding up over time.
Another helpful task is to perform a Google search for reviews of this contractor. Make sure that they are qualified and insured prior to hiring them to build your paver patio. Contractors that are certified by the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) are often a great choice because they must be highly trained and skilled to earn such a certification.
Choose High-Quality Pavers
Your landscape contractor can make recommendations on the best pavers to use for your project. Many paver manufacturers offer a warranty on their products, which is something to consider when choosing which pavers to use.
Start with a Level & Stable Base
A long-lasting paver patio begins with creating a level and stable base to build upon. Oftentimes, pavers are installed in a bed of concrete sand. If the base is not level, the concrete pavers will not lay evenly upon the surface which creates a jagged look that can also lead to trips and falls.
Ask If Edging Is Part of the Project
Expert masons often install edging along the edges of a paver patio. This ensures that the feature is structurally sound. If this technique isn’t used, your pavers will likely spread apart and sink over time. When this happens, it weakens your patio, damage can occur, and it may be unsafe to walk across.
Seal the Paver Joints
One of the last steps that your landscape contractor may do to ensure the longevity of your paver patio is to seal in the paver joints. This involves installing joint sand between the pavers that will stabilize the pavers, preventing them from sinking or shifting.
Ensure Proper Drainage
It is essential that a paver patio has a slight pitch so that water can drain properly. If there isn’t, water can pool up on your patio and cause problems. Generally, a quarter-inch of a pitch is factored in for every two feet of paver patio space. The pitch should slope away from any structures so that water damage does not occur.
Make Sure It’s Properly Maintained
While paver patios are fairly low maintenance, occasional maintenance should be performed. To keep your paver patio looking stellar for as long as possible, it should be swept and cleaned with water occasionally. Many landscape companies will advise on what is involved with the maintenance paver patios, and they recommend pressure washing at a low setting. As with most things, a paver patio will last longer if it receives proper care.