Remove Your Bedding Layer
Next, remove the sand from your base. Leave a few inches of sand around the perimeter of the area for a point of reference.
While you are removing the sand, be sure to scrape and moss and sand off of the exposed perimeter. That way, when you re-lay pavers, theyll form a tight seal. Once youre done, youll have the gravel layer left to work on.
When Concrete Slab Patios Begin To Sink
Most patios are usually constructed using a concrete slab for the main patio surface.
Like the underground slabs supporting your foundation, they can begin to sink over time as the ground beneath them settles.
Minor settling is to be expected with any slab and can be normal.
When there is more extreme settling or settling that unbalances the patio, mudjacking repairs or other types of repair should be made to restore the slab to its proper level.
Left unrepaired, your settling patio slab could become a safety hazard or may even divert draining water toward your house rather than away from it.
Not only will your patio look unsightly, you could end up with foundation problems from excess water saturating the ground.
It Drowns Your Plants
Many people love gardening and turn their yards into beautiful places, full of lush green plants. As you might already know, standing water is actually incredibly harmful for plants.
While there are a few plants that would love to live in a wet spot in the yard, like these 7 plants, most others will not fare so well.
Within a few days, they will succumb to root rot, and will literally begin to drown. When plants start to die, their roots are unable to hold the soil firmly together, and as a result of that, erosion begins to take place.
Within a few weeks, the entire yard will be full of dead plants, and nobody likes bare ground. More importantly, the bare ground will become a source of nuisance for you.
Anybody who walks through the wet yard and into the house will be bringing with them a bunch of muddy footprints, which are going to be even more difficult for you to clean properly.
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Whats The Best Do It Yourself Deck Fix
As you can see, each DIY option has its pros and cons with no clear winner. Concrete piles are less prone to shifting when compared to deck blocks, but theyre expensive and hard to install. Deck blocks are cheap and easy to install, but highly prone to shifting. And while DIY screw anchors are easy to install and cheaper than concrete, they dont anchor deep enough to be useful.
My honest advice? When it comes to a sinking deck, sometimes its best to let a professional deal with it. Making your deck level and ensuring that it wont just sink again can be a tricky project, especially depending on the location of your deck and the state of the foundation.
Pull Up The Paving Stones
Next, pull up the paving stones. We recommend that you pull up 1216 past the sunken area, in every direction, so that youll retain a good reference for the grade.;
To remove the first paver, you can use a paver puller, screwdrivers, or putty knives. We chose to use putty knives because they are easily accessible and have a wide surface area that makes it easier to lift the stone.
For tips on removing a paving stone read How to Remove and Replace a Paving Stone.
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Polylevel Can Repair Your Sinking Slab Quickly & Effectively
What if you could raise a cracked slab back to its proper level in less than an hour, with no down time waiting for new concrete or mortar to cure? This fast, affordable repair is possible with a new slab-raising technique called PolyLevel®. PolyLevel® is a concrete lifting process that involves drilling one or more small holes in the sunken area of the slab, then injecting an expanding “geotechnical” foam beneath the slab.
As the foam expands due to a chemical reaction, it pushes the slab back towards its original position. An experienced;PolyLevel® technician can gauge the expanding action of the foam, controlling the injection process for just the right degree of slab-raising action.
Because the injected polymer material cures quickly, the restored slab can return to its full weight-bearing function within a matter of minutes. The cost of concrete lifting through the PolyLevel® method also costs far less than replacing the concrete slab altogether. Contact your local PolyLevel® contractor today for a free concrete leveling estimate!
Expert Patio Drainage Advice And Solutions
Imagine this: you have just finished work on the patio which completes the look of your garden. You wish to sit out on it and enjoy the calm, quiet space, but before you get the chance, a storm comes and overwhelms it with rainwater. You have not added a patio drainage system, so the water sits there for days, only entering your sewer system, which is then also filled to maximum capacity and threatening to overflow. The rainwater still sits there, potentially causing damage which will take a lot of time and money to repair. Sounds worrying, doesnt it?
Fortunately, there are a number of simple solutions to avoid the stress of a constantly flooded patio. At Coastal Drains, we have years of experience in tackling a variety of drainage problems head-on, and we are more than happy to help our customers by providing advice on all matters relating to drainage systems, including ones for your patio.;
Whether you need questions answered by a specialist before you pick your new drains, or would like a team of fully qualified and highly trained engineers to unblock or repair and maintain drains you currently have, we will be there to help, so please contact us when you need us most.
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How Do You Fix Tilting Or Sinking Retaining Wall Foundations
There are a few things a professional mason can do to fix a sinking or tilting retaining wall. The right solution will vary based upon the severity of the situation and the cause of the problem.
After consulting with a foundation repair specialist, such as Turnbull Masonry, youll know if the most cost effective solution is to repair or rebuild. In the most severe cases youll need to demolish the wall and start from scratch, re-excavate the area, re-install drains and rebuild the wall. In less severe instances it might be more cost effective to repair the foundation and salvage the original wall. Either way, bricks from the original wall can almost always be re-used on the new wall.
Certain repair methods actually stabilize the wall and even push it back to its original positioning. Similar techniques are used for fixing foundation walls on buildings.;
Helical anchors are often used to fix destabilized foundations. Helix-shaped blades are welded to steel shafts, creating a sturdy anchor that resembles a massive screw. Holes are drilled into the wall and hydraulic rotary is used to place the anchor through the wall and deep into the soil bank. A threaded adaptor is attached to the rod and the hole in the wall is patched up. As long as the correct numbers of anchors are applied, this should stabilize the wall. In certain situations, the nuts can be tightened over time so that the wall shifts back into its original positioning.
Take The Hard Out Of Hardscaping
Here at Western Interlock, were on a mission to take the hard out of hardscaping. Thats why we publish DIY tips, tricks, and step-by-step tutorials at DIYwithWI.com.
If you have any questions, you can visit our Paving Stone Display at our Manufacturing Facility in Rickreall, OR. Or, give us a call to our team of hardscape experts at 503-623-9084.
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Need Affordable Payment Options We’ve Got You Covered
Cracked foundations, leaky basements and mildewy crawlspaces are often serious problems that shouldn’t be ignored. If you feel you’ve put your repair project off long enough, financing can help you get it done now instead of later. It’s not worth gambling with the investment you’ve made in your home!
Need To Fix A Sinking Concrete Porch Two Options To Consider
I have fond memories of sitting on my grandparents porch, watching birds and squirrels squabble over sunflower seeds.; My never-idle grandmother worked on her latest sewing project and my grandfather tried to read, while I bombarded them with a childs endless stream of questions.;;;
Like my grandparents did, many homeowners consider their porches and patios to be an extension of their living space.; Its an outdoor room that encourages you to socialize, maybe grill some burgers, or just sit back and enjoy the day.; An attractive porch adds curbside appeal and makes your guests feel welcome.;;
But a sinking or leaning porch sends the opposite message. It suggests a home that is not well-maintained, or that needs other repairs, and an uneven concrete surface can be a trip hazard and liability.; At Acculevel, weve been lifting and repairing concrete since our founding in 1996.; There are two very different ways to repair a porch, depending on your circumstances, and we help customers with both.;;
Well review your options, how they work, and what problems each option solves. Our goal is for you to understand the options, and determine the best fit for you and your home.;
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Mudjacking Repairs For Sinking Concrete Patios
Although a sinking concrete patio slab may seem like a serious issue, the problem can usually be remedied in just a day with mudjacking.
This is a preferred technique that involves applying one of a number of materials under the slab to push it back up and stabilize it.
Mudjacking repairs are done by forcing a wet cement mixture under the slab and raising it back to its original level.
It can also be used for repairing a broken slab by raising the slab and pushing the broken pieces back together so the new cement provides extra support once it hardens.
Three Things To Do To Authenticate The Information You Find Online
Tip #1 Check the date of the informationPeople using the internet for information and tips dont check the date the information was posted. If the information is a few years old, chances are the information is old as well. Technology and solutions can change with time. Make sure you have the most up to date information that is available for your search. Also, follow up with any links you find. Knowledgeable articles should also have a link to the company or individual that wrote it. Then follow the links. Are they qualified to answer the question? Do they have experience in the area? Read the reviews that are on the site. Do they appear to be an expert in the field or someone throwing 2 cents into the mix?
Tip #2: Keep searching for other solutions that make senseWhen posing a query online, use your common sense. If something seems a bit far-fetched to you, move on, and locate information that seems more palatable. In this case, prying a step up and shoving bricks underneath it to lift it into place is not a solution that warrants much consideration. If the information seems amiss, refer to Tip #1. Youll find the information is probably old or the source unreliable and inexperienced at best. Trust yourself and keep looking!
This article was originally posted in June 2015 and has been updated.
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Sweep In Polymeric Sand
This step is optional, but recommended! Polymeric sand is pretty neat stuff. When moistened with water, it hardens somewhat like concrete to keep the pavers from shifting. It also inhibits weed growth.
Pour out some polymeric sand over the pavers, and use a broom to sweep it between the cracks. If you’re working in a small area, whomp the pavers with the rubber mallet to help settle the polymeric sand. For large areas, use a powered compactor.
Some cracks will fill easily, while others will need some encouragement. As you strike the pavers with the rubber mallet, you’ll see some of the sand disappear. Add more sand until it no longer disappears. I find it works best to strike the edges of the pavers rather than the centres.
Set the polymeric sand by gently spraying it with water, according to the package instructions. You don’t need a lot of water! There should be no standing water on top of the cracks. Ideally, this should be done on a day when there is no rain expected for at least 24 hours.
Congratulations! You’re done! That wasn’t so hard, was it? Hopefully your paved walkway, stairs or patio will remain rock solid for another few years.
How To Prevent Sinking In Pavers
Like any building project, the proper arrangement of the paved area is of utmost importance. If you still havent paved the area, and youre thinking of doing it, make sure your pavers are laid on a bed of compacted gravel or coarse sand.
***Do you have an experience of fixing sunken pavers?Wed love to hear more!
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How To Repair A Sinking Concrete Slab
Repairing a cracked and sinking concrete pool patio and it’s adjoining concrete slab walkway by injecting high-density foam under it
Concrete slabs sink and settle because of bad base preparation. It is not the slab’s fault.
My company recently repaired a cracked and sunken slab surrounding a swimming pool. We use;a two-part closed cell foam to float the slab up to the correct height.;
Inject the foam and then seal the cracks
First, we drill through the slab at key locations and insert ports;into the holes. Next, we pump in a polymer foam which;consists of two separate liquids that are combined at the injection nozzle to trigger a chemical reaction that turns the blended ingredients into expanding, high-density foam.
The foam expands and raises the slab up to the correct height.;The foam may fill some of the cracks in the slab, but;the surface of the crack and the port holes are;completed with a caulking that is great for concreteNP1.
The foam is structural
This system is not strictly for patios and pool slabs, it can be used for industrial slabs and roads as well. By adjusting the density and expansive force of the 2-part foam the lifting force can be adjusted. Fine-tuning the chemical reaction causes the foam to expand more or less. In some cases it is used to lift, level and stabilize roadways and airport runways.
The Solution To All Your Patio Drainage Problems
Slot Drain is a pre-sloped, pre-assembled trench drain system that is perfect for landscape and patio applications. The system is extremely easy to install, and the slim channel opening means that there is no risk of foreign objects falling into the channel and clogging the system. It comes in various finishes, including galvanized and stainless steel, which makes it impact-, bacteria-, and corrosion-resistant. Furthermore, the system has a sleek, modern design that does not require a grate so that it can blend seamlessly with any patio design.
What also helps Slot Drainâs system stand out is the fact that it is so easy to maintain compared to other systems. There is the option to have a self-cleaning system in place or to simply use a brush and paddle to easily clean the channel within a few minutes.
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How Do I Fix My Patio Pavers
- Remove the pavers. Use a flat screwdriver or a pry bar to remove the sunken paver. You may need to wet the sand a bit to make the process easier.
- Add sand. Once the paver is removed, add new sand and flatten it out nicely to create a solid base. Its best to use a level to make sure everything is lined up.
- Place the new paver. When the base is nice and smooth, its time to put the new paver in place and use the level to adjust the height.
- Use a rubber mallet to tap the paver in place. Add a bit more sand and secure the paver by tapping it with your mallet.
- Line up the pavers. Check if all the pavers are in line and sweep the added sand into the crevices using a broom.
- Add more sand and wet it. Make sure the sand is nice and snug between the pavers by wetting it slightly.
- Clean up excess sand. Use your broom to sweep the sand away and youre done!
Patio Drainage Issues And What Causes Them
The most common hardscape issue we see as outdoor drainage experts is water draining toward the house from the patio. The water drains toward the house because the patio was installed incorrectly. Patios need to have the proper slope away from the home and that slope should be 1/4 per linear foot of patio.
Another reason patio drainage might fail is that the patio could have also shifted throughout its lifetime. The shifts could happen for a number of reasons but the underlying base material is the main concern. If the base material is not thick enough, the freeze-thaw cycle of winter can raise and lower the patio causing water issues either toward the house or on the patio itself.
Cracking patios are also a concern, especially for full concrete patios. They are caused by that same freeze/thaw issue. Water expands when it turns to ice and then contracts when it melts. Doing this cycle numerous times is bad news for any concrete patio.
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