Keeping pavers clean and level through winter

Pavers are a durable surface, but they are not maintenance-free. A little care before and during winter prevents most of the problems that show up in spring.

Keep the joints filled

Joint sand is what locks the pavers together. If it washes out, the pavers can shift and weeds get a start. Top up the joints when they look low, especially after heavy rain.

Clear snow without scraping the surface

Use a plastic shovel or a snow blower with a raised skid so the blade does not catch the paver edges. Metal shovels and ice chippers can scratch or lift the surface.

Be careful with de-icing salt

Rock salt is hard on most hardscape and on the plants beside it. Use it sparingly, sweep up what is left after the thaw, and rinse the surface when the weather allows.

Watch where the water goes

If meltwater pools in one spot instead of running off, the fall has changed. That is worth fixing before the next freeze, because water that sits and freezes is what lifts and cracks a surface.

Clean in spring, not with a pressure washer at full power

A normal wash removes dirt and pollen. Too much pressure on the wrong setting can strip the joint sand and mark the pavers, so keep the nozzle moving and the pressure low.

If a section of your patio or driveway is settling or holding water, we can look at it and tell you whether it needs a repair or a rebuild. Estimates are free in Central Islip and across Suffolk County.