Moles

Under a healthy lawn is healthy soil generally full of earthworms. The beneficial earthworms also attract moles. While seldom seen, moles are most anywhere earthworms are. Earthworms are the number 1 food source for moles, although moles being insectivores will also eat grubs, maggots and ants. 

Photo taken from MN Nuisance Wildlife Control

Unsightly raised patterns of grass and broken earth or mounds of dirt ranging in the size of a baseball to a basketball are signs of mole activity. Moles tunnel long straight tunnels to get around to various smaller feeding tunnels. Often the longer transport tunnels are along barriers such as a sidewalk or patio and since moles also eat ants we have found feeding tunnels under paver walks, patios and driveways are common. 

Mole tunnels can be a few inches to several feet below the surface and can effect a paver application. Signs of mole damage can be long or short areas of cave in or settlement. With a width of a few inches up to a foot. If you wonder, simply pull a few pavers and begin pounding a rod into the base. You will notice at some point the rod gives and pounds very easily indicating you have hit a tunnel.

A common misconception is because moles are insectivores that a grub control treatment will get rid of the moles. While the lawn will surly benefit, the moles will not be effected and still live happy and fat because their number 1 food source is earthworms.

Various methods are available for eradication of moles. Generally a DIY approach will not properly place or set enough traps to be effective. We recommend Suburban Wildlife Control, Inc. South metro 952-403-9223  North Metro 763-755-2569 

Poly Haze

All to often a contractor, homeowner, manufacturer or re seller will contact our company to assess and define the reason a problem of polymeric haze exists on a paver application. All of em want to know what happened, why and who is responsible. This becomes challenging as the installer including DIY homeowners claim it was a bad product and for some reason the manufacturer and or re seller is expected to accept the burden. This gets really old. Now with this pre-determined attitude a barrier has been established without rhyme or reason, that even with my information and expertise may not be undone. This also gets old.

Chemical and organic binders in polymeric sands are easy to understand, as well the graded sand each contain. Activating polymeric sands are also a basic discipline to master. Did your contractor know the difference between the two and how each applies, consolidates and activates ? Did your contractor understand the variables involved including air and substrate temperatures, dew point/ humidity, sunlight or shade, wind speeds or the type of joint/paver being filled. 

Buying a bag of stuff, putting it down and watering it in does not constitute due diligence to the discipline needed to achieve a proper application which is the installers burden to provide. Even reading the directions twice means nothing when using a product such as polymeric sand, no matter the manufacturer or re seller. So please drop the "it's someone else's fault" pitch, I am not buying it.

So what now? After I gather enough information I can tell you exactly what happened and why,  then explaining your options including the possible re actions both good and bad. The stumbling point now becomes your acceptability of possible consequences in poly haze removals. 

While I understand poly haze is upsetting, it simply "is what it is" to me when entering the scene afterwards. I wish not give fault to any parties involved yet it is generally an installer error. 

Weeds

Weeds are a nuisance no matter where they grow. Unwanted vegetation will distract from an otherwise beautiful paver application. For many reasons joint sands can migrate from the joints and virtually wash away being replaced with dirt. Even just 1/8" of dirt will collect air borne weed seeds and soon you find unwanted vegetation throughout your walk, patio or driveway. 

Understanding both proactive and reactive approaches to weed control will assist a homeowner in an action plan that best suits their lifestyle and expectations.

The ultimate proactive approach would include a properly installed Polymeric Sand  at the time of the paver installation. Sealants with Joint Stabilizers will also help keep weeds out by hardening the joint sand. Both these types of products are available at any three locations of Hedberg Landscape and Masonry Supplies manufactured by SRW Products. 

Roundup is a well known brand of a non-selective post emergent Herbicide and will handle most anything you want to spray it on, yet you will then need to remove the dead vegetation. Just recently Roundup and Bayer brands have developed a Herbacide that is both pre emergent and post emergent. The Paver Doctor has experienced satisfactory results with this new product.

Maintenance Programs are attractive to many homeowners. Having clean pavers with freshly sanded weed free joints can assure a wonderful first impression for family and friends alike. Feel free to call The Paver Doctor for these services and many more. We specialize in paver Repair-Restoration-Sealing.

Sealing

Many DIY's and landscape contractors decide to seal pavers. With proper cleaning, joint sand depth and a basic knowledge of applying a liquid from a can, desired results can be achieved. 

Although......NOT ALWAYS.

The many aspects of sealing begin with the Proper Equipment and then understanding how to use it. A suggestion may be a trial run on a few of your extra pavers. This will give you the opportunity to practice using the equipment and also see what your project will look like when done. It is always wise to Trial a Sealant.

After agreeing with the look or your practice pavers, site considerations include Moisture Content of pavers, joints, base and sub grade. If moisture is present DO NOT SEAL. 

Sealing is subject to many weather conditions the first being a Forecast of Rain. DO NOT SEAL with even a chance of rain in 24 hours. Don't forget to deactivate the Irrigation System. Over spray of sealants can affect stone,wood and metal siding, glass ect. so Wind Speed will need to considered.

The Paver Doctor has applied sealants for 4 years. We are still understanding how Air Temperature, Humidity, Surface Tension, Paver Temperature and Porosity, Sunlight and Shade affect the application of sealants. A discussion of these variables are far to in depth to handle in this note. 

Unfortunately we are called to correct many sealing jobs that have gone wrong. Uneven, blotchy or cloudy sealant applications (picture below) can be corrected or stripped and re applied. Feel free to contact The Paver Doctor for more information. We specialize in sealant applications and are certified installers of SRW Products, Techniseal, SureBond and Seal N Lock sealants.

Settlement

Installing interlocking paver systems is a series of critical steps. When addressing settlement issues you must peal back the layers, assessing the accuracy of each step taken during the installation. This can be done by applying the following information. First determine what type of soil you have on site and how much water it holds. Soils containing +30% clay are described as clay and are prevalent in our area. Clay is very pliable when wet which leads to rutting on driveways. Is your dig in compacted earth or was there a significant amount of fill placed recently in the case of new home construction. 

Immediate considerations must be made considering the Subgrade as it is the foundation that your pavers will be placed on top of.The proper use of Woven Geotextiles will provide soil separation, stabilization and reinforcement over moderate subgrades. Many contractors, to submit a lower bid on driveways, will not include this nor do they inform the homeowner of possible ramifications of not using Woven Geotextiles. Base Material  choice, depth and intelligent installation are each of equal importance to the project. Simply said (not including permeable paver systems) Base Material should be Class II or Class V. Applied in 2"-4" lifts and compacted each lift with proper moisture content. Total thickness of Base Material (after compaction) over well-drained soils varies from 6" for pedestrian areas to at least 10"  for residential driveways. This does not include additional inches in consideration ofSubgrade soil type, drainage/moisture content and climate.The lack of proper Compaction will affect an application very soon after installation and may continue for many years to come. Base Compaction should be done with a vibratory roller or reversible plate compactor. Many contractors make the mistake considering a 4000 flb forward plate compactor sufficient to achieve  the recommended Proctor density. In fact it is if compacted in 2" lifts.  

For the DIY, you can find the most accurate information regarding the different types of interlocking pavers, Woven Geotextiles and Base Material  by contacting Hedberg Landscape and Masonry Supplies. (3 Metro locations) If this is to much- We Can Help ! We make house calls. Just contact The Paver Doctor. We specialize in Paver Repair-Restoration-Sealing.  

Creep

The curved chalk line follows the vehicle tires
into this driveway. Not only do the pavers
creep in this example the bed sand is
pushing outward from the loads.

This picture illustrates Creep. While Creep can happen on patios and walks it is much more common on driveway applications where repetitive breaking or turning loads from vehicular traffic are present. Inappropriate paver shape, thickness, aspect ratio and laying pattern will lead to Creep. Improper choice or installation of an edge restraint system can also contribute to Creep.

All to often creep begins with poor choices. Interlocking Concrete Paver Institute (ICPI) suggests a 60 or 90 degree Herringbone pattern for driveway applications. Not all people like the "look" of this pattern and designers give way to that sentiment allowing homeowners other choices. While short term the homeowner has received what they wanted, long term it becomes a disaster. 

There are multiple edge restraint systems and the ultimate would be a poured in place concrete curb. Concrete curbs will not push outward from vehicular turning loads. Flush concrete beams can also be poured with in the body of an installation to help keep it in place preventing Creep.

Creep affects the structural integrity of an application leading to loss of interlock and joint/bed sand washout. While replacing a driveway using the correct paver and laying patterns may not be feasible, The Paver Doctor has proven methods of repair. Feel free to call regarding this or any other issues related to your pavers. We specialize in paver Repair-Restoration-Sealing.

Cleaning

A variety of methods can be used to clean pavers. A leaf blower can remove leaves and grass clippings. A garden hose with spray nozzle can remove surface dirt. A stiff brush and a lot of elbow grease followed by the hose and spray nozzle can remove even more dirt. And homeowners can include a variety of cleaners. Hedberg Landscape and Masonry Supplies have 3 metro locations where you can find a full line of do it yourself spot and general cleaners available.  

What about the pressure washer? Most pressure washers available at the home improvement stores are over powered and under fed, resulting in pressures that can strip the Cream Coat off of new pavers and old. Finishing concrete and during the manufacture of pavers a Cream Coat forms on the top surface. The surface you see (including the color) hides what is below and that's a lot of small rocks (and not that much color).

The Paver Doctor recommends the use of hot water (160 degrees) low pressure (300-600 PSI) and high water volume (5-8 GPM) to clean pavers. Cleaners need proper dwell, agitation and rinse. The applications must be worked in two different directions. Glass, wood or metal siding, veneer stone or brick and stucco must be protected from acids based cleaners. Consideration of run off into planting beds, lawn and ultimately watersheds will direct what chemicals can be used. 

The key to cleaning stains is to do it quickly after it happens. Reactive  measures are much more successful when a proactive approach is taken. A sealant application will reduce stain absorption. Sealants are designed to prevent the penetration of contaminants including dust, dirt, oil that dull the colors of pavers. Regular maintenance cleanings become quick, easy and much less intrusive to the colorful Cream Coat.

Dirty soiled pavers are both an appearance issue and can affect the integrity of the paver by holding onto moisture which during freeze thaw periods can lead to spalling. Feel free to call The Paver Doctor to assess this or any other issues related to your pavers! We specialize in paver Repair-Restoration-Sealing.