UPDATE YOUR SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTY HOME’S CONCRETE PATIO WITH PATIO PAVERS
For many older homes throughout the North Bay, including Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Marin and Petaluma, their original concrete patios are aging, cracking, and becoming eyesores. If you live in the greater North Bay area and are ready to upgrade your outdoor living space, concrete pavers are the perfect solution. Avoid the hassle and expense of removing your existing concrete patio slab. Pavers can be installed directly over your existing slab without mortar with proper preparation.
Proper precautions must be taken to avoid issues with drainage, settling, and cracking. Here are some of the advantages concrete pavers provide along with some tips for upgrading your existing concrete patio, driveway, or walkways with beautiful, durable, concrete pavers!
THE KEY BENEFITS OF CONCRETE PAVERS
Thanks to their durability, affordability, and variety, paving stones have become an increasingly popular material for Sonoma and Marin homeowners. Paving stones can up your home’s curb appeal and increase its value.
Because they come in literally hundreds of colors, styles, textures, and patterns, paving stones, give homeowners the ability to create a unique, one-of-a-kind look for pool decks, driveways, walkways, and outdoor entertainment spaces. They offer an elegant, luxurious look, and when installed correctly, pavers can last a lifetime! They’re also much less complicated to repair than traditional materials like concrete and asphalt.
Get A Free Estimate For New Paver Patio
Concrete pavers can only be placed over existing poured concrete slabs if they are in relatively good condition and adequately repaired. This is known in the trade as an “overlay,” and it’s a great, affordable option for many North Bay area homeowners.
TIPS FOR PROPERLY INSTALLING PATIO PAVERS OVER AN EXISTING CONCRETE SLAB
With proper site preparation, your concrete slab can be given a facelift with beautiful, durable concrete pavers. Here are some tips to make your overlay easier.
CONSIDER THE HEIGHT
Overlaying your original concrete slab can increase the height of your patio by as much as three inches. Plan for transitions to other areas of your hardscaping, especially if your patio is connected to your home. Make sure to check local building codes. Many municipalities specify the distance a masonry patio must be from your home’s siding. You may need to install flashing to meet your local building code.
EXAMINE THE CONDITION OF YOUR EXISTING CONCRETE SLAB
If your existing patio is badly cracked, broken, or in particularly bad shape, or if adding an overlay will block doorways, or cause a tripping hazard, you may need to rethink overlaying pavers.
CONSIDER DRAINAGE ISSUES
One of the most significant issues for creating a paver overlay is drainage. A concrete slab can prohibit water from adequately draining if not on a slope. Before you begin, ensure water does not pool on your existing slab. Keep slope in mind when adding pavers to make sure that the edge that drains stays low, and is constructed of porous material. You should prepare the concrete slab by drilling miniature holes through the concrete every few inches to allow water to flow through the slab and seep into the ground.
EDGING
Any paver surface, including an overlay, will require edging to keep the stones in place and prevent the sand and pavers from settling or sliding. Make sure any edging you use allows for proper drainage. If it’s watertight, your patio could flood when it rains, and if it is not sloped correctly, water can enter into your home.
SEMI-MORTARED
If edging is not possible, or you are looking for a different aesthetic, you can use mortar or concrete adhesive to hold the perimeter course of pavers in place. To do this, you need to clean and prepare the perimeter around the sand bed. Make sure that your sand bed and mortar are the same height to keep your pavers level. Be aware that this method of installation creates a non-permeable edge, which could cause water to puddle underneath the pavers, which can create a problem down the road.
USE POLYMERIC JOINT SAND
When you’re finished with your overlay, stabilize them with polymeric sand to fill the joints. Sand joints are permeable, and when correctly set, they can allow water to drain instead of puddling. Drilling holes in the concrete slab can aid with drainage.
OVERLAYING PATIO PAVERS IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR DRIVEWAYS
As a general rule, overlying patio pavers are not suitable for driveways. The underlying slab does not allow for any give, and as a result, pavers are more likely to shift or crack under pressure.
OVERLAYING PATIO PAVERS AROUND YOUR NORTH BAY HOME
Overlaying concrete pavers is an excellent affordable way to up your home’s curb appeal, increase functionality, and add value to your most significant investment, your home. Consider these tips before starting any paver project. If you’re unsure if overlaying patio pavers is the right solution, give the experts at Bayside Pavers a call at (866) 287-2837. We can help you design the perfect paver solution to meet your unique needs. Our knowledgeable team members are ready to help you create the outdoor living space of your dreams!
We’re always happy to discuss the possibilities! Let us show you the advantages of a professionally installed outdoor patio area, and our 15-year warranty can provide you and your family.
If you’re in the San Francisco Bay area, our location in Concord, CA, at 2455 Bates Ave, Ste K, services East Bay and South Bay homeowners.
Our Santa Rosa, CA, location at 1619 4th Street Ste 12 can help you with your North Bay hardscaping projects including Sonoma or Marin Counties.
