GENERAL INTERLOCKING PAVING MAINTENANCE

Verify Edge Treatments. Inspect the perimeter of the project for damage that may result in larger joints or spalling pavers.

Subsidence/Rutting. Inspect the surface for any deformations. Settlement and deformations often caused by improper base or inadequate compaction. Rutting is generally caused by issues with sand. Protect pavers with plywood under construction traffic, site improvements or move-ins. Check the engineering, architectural, or soils engineer intended use of pavements prior to unusual or extraordinary use. Avoid planting trees or digging or trenching adjacent to interlocking pavements.

Clean pavers. Stains should be cleaned Inspect the surface for stains. Stains should be treated as soon as possible since the longer they remain on the surface, the deeper they penetrate and the harder they are to remove. Wipe excess oil from the surface as soon as possible and apply liquid detergent. Allow it to soak for several minutes. Then wash the pavers with hot water. Several treatments may be necessary for particularly stubborn stains. Power washing requires training to not wash out sand joints. The use of power washing with polymeric sands is not recommended.

Eliminate water staining by checking planters or sprinkler overspray to eliminate hard water stains from forming. Trim landscaping for organic staining from leaves and fruit. Replace metal gates that stain rust during rain.

Efflorescence is a white haze that may appear on the surface of pavers sometime after installation. Completely eliminating the chance of efflorescence isn’t possible because it’s anatural byproduct of hardened concrete that reacts with water. If the soils are most due to other causes than rain, eliminate the cause such as leaking pipes or over-saturated planters. Efflorescence can be removed with cleaners specially made for concrete pavers. Careless or improper cleaning can result in damage and discoloration to the concrete paver surfaces. Contact your paver installer for further information about the chemistry of efflorescence and appropriate commercially available cleaners.

Many products are available for cleaning can damage pavers. Check with an experienced ICPI certified manufacturers or installers to verify the safety of products on interlocking pavers.

Re-sanding. Check for sand loss and replace missing sand to avoid eventual “creep” which may result in damage to the hardscape and the pavers. Installations exposed to water runoff, steep slopes or high wind, joint stabilizing sand or sealer may be useful. When possible, such as residential streets, sand can be spread over the pavers for a designated period, driven over, and swept with a street sweeper; re-sanding the pavers while absorbing some stains. Caution should be used however, if sand remains on pavers during long periods of rain under heavy traffic, as it may cause a sand-blasted appearance. (Sand blasted pavers are a design feature on new pavers.)

Weeds/Pests. Weeds can germinate between pavers from windblown seeds lodged in the joints. They don’t grow from the bedding sand, base or soil. Weeds can be removed by handor with herbicides. Take care in using herbicides so that adjacent vegetated areas are notdamaged. Use biodegradable products that won’t damage other vegetation or pollute water supplies when washed from the pavement surface. Besides stabilizing the joint sand, sealers can prevent seeds from germinating, and prevent ants from entering.

Repairs and Reinstatement. Subsidence and upheaval can result from tree roots, broken utilities and underground lines, freeze thaw, ground movement, or damaged pavers. Remove pavers and reinstate according to ICPI guidelines. Concrete pavers can act as a zipper in the pavement. When the need arises to make underground repairs, interlocking concrete pavements can be removed and replaced using the same material. Unlike asphalt or poured- in-place concrete, segmental pavement can be opened and closed without using jack hammers on the surface and with less construction equipment. This results in no ugly patches and no reduction in pavement service life. In addition, no curing means fast repairs with reduced user delays and related costs. The process of reusing the same paving units is called reinstatement. Adequate compaction in an area larger than the reinstatement as well as stabilization of the area during removal is mandatory. This should be done only by an ICPI certified professional trained in reinstatement to preserve the intended life-cycle of the pavement.

Snow and Ice Removal. Concrete pavers offer outstanding freeze thaw resistance. They endure de-icing salts much better than most pavement surfaces. Snow and ice are removed with shovels or plows like any other pavement. Electric or liquid snow-melting systems work well under concrete pavers, eliminating plowing while reducing slip hazards. De-icing substances may accelerate surface wear on some paver styles.

Permeable Pavers. As with all types of permeable and pervious pavements, permeable interlocking concrete pavements (PICP) are subject to sediment, fines and other debris accumulating on the surface, which can slow infiltration over time. As a result, it is recommended that the pavement be inspected and periodically cleaned to help ensure that the desired infiltration rates are maintained. Some municipalities may stipulate sweeping frequency. Vacuum sweepers are recommended. It is recommended that PICP be inspected at least once a year to ensure the pavement surface is infiltrating. An easy way to do this is simply to observe if there is standing water after storms. Also, surface infiltration tests may be conducted using C1781 Standard Test Method for Surface Infiltration Rate of Permeable Unit Pavement Systems. Stormwater maintenance agreements are sometimes used to determine inspection and cleaning frequency.

The rate of sedimentation will vary depending on the amount of traffic and whether sediment is deposited onto the pavement from adjacent areas. Some PICPs may not require cleaning for several years as they remain capable of adequate infiltration. Research has demonstrated that sediment tends to be trapped at the surface in the joints and openings, which allows for removal by street sweeping/vacuuming equipment. The use of deicing salts can be reduced with permeable pavements. This provides added environmental benefits. Winter sanding or ashing of PICP is not recommended as it will speed up clogging. Instead, if needed, use No. 8, 89 or 9 stone for traction as these materials are typical of jointing and drainage opening fill.

Seal Pavers (Optional). Sealers reduce the intrusion of water, stains, oils and dirt into the paver surfaces. Test the sealer annually by dropping a small amount of water of the surface if the water does not bead and the wet area darkens, the pavers are probably ready for sealing. Industry standards recommend that pavers not be sealed for 90 days after production. Only industry standard sealers purchased through industry professionals are recommended. If hardscape was previously sealed, the same product should be used. The use of polymeric sands and sealers are often not recommended. Sealers cannot be applied in hot, cold or moist conditions.

Quality Assurance. Paver maintenance should only be performed by experience trained professionals with references using industry standard products. Common cleaning products purchased at home improvement and hardware stores labeled for “pavers” are often notindustry standard and can damage pavers. Repairs not performed by industry professionals with an ICPI certification can result in hardscape degradation and a decrease in the longevity of the pavers. Interlocking hardscapes designed and installed to industry standards by experience installers with the appropriate ICPI certification, are built for 25 to 40 year life cycles.

Maintenance Agreements – Maintenance agreements can ensure that routine maintenance occurs and is performed by only by experienced, certified and trained professionals that will not shorten the pavement life cycle or void existing warranties.

For more information call: Farley Interlocking Paving – www.farleypaving.com 877-553-8797

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