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How to Level Out Brick Pavers: Step by Step

Brick pavers are trending, and they have been around for a while now. So it’s no surprise to see how curb appeals in most American homes have improved over the years. However, most outdoor projects made with pavers need some maintenance from time to time, especially under climate circumstances and constant traffic, both of which can lead to sinkage. So what can you do to level out these pavers?

First of all, don’t worry – those low spots in your floor are completely natural and will be a recurring thing over your family generations. Just like every human construction, even the perfect installation does not beat the passage of time, but there are some measures you can take in order to prolong its lifetime.

In this article you’ll read, step-by-step, how to level out your brick pavers the right way. To check out the properties of this material, click here.

How To Level Pavers: Tools and materials you need

The first thing to do when dealing with this problem is getting your hands on the ideal tools for the job. Essentially, these include:

  • Broom
  • Trowel
  • Screwdriver
  • Rubber hammer
  • Straight piece of lumber (2”x4”)
  • Two steel pipes (3/4”)

Preferably, the pipes should be a little shorter than the width of your project. Buying a few bags of sand can come in handy as well, since there could be a shortage of its supply in the worksite.

After sorting everything, pick a spot close to the place in question to serve as the go-to point of resources during the job. Organization is key to quick efficiency.

Why do pavers sink?

When exposed to weather conditions such as rain, snow, and hot summer air, it’s completely natural for any kind of paver project to dip or, in most cases, slightly sink into itself. As the earth moves and the underground waters flow, some pavers will shift around the soil and cause curvatures in what once was flat.

Not only that, but if we’re talking about pathways in particular – for vehicles and people alike – this occurrence will be nothing short of common. Although made for that very purpose, heavy traffic on the surface will show its signs in the long run. 

Also, keep an eye out for potential cracks in your project. It’s possible you’ll have to substitute a few pavers out of the bunch that are just too old.

Step-by-step to level out brick pavers

  • STEP 1: Brick removal

Otherwise difficult, removing the first faulty paver becomes easier by using the screwdriver and rubber hammer to get a hold of its sides. That way you can create gaps between each unit and see which parts are more vulnerable.

Start from a corner or edge; carefully lift the brick from the floor. Work your way out until all the bricks have been transferred to your staging area.

At this point you should separate the good bricks from the bad ones. Buy as many identical pavers as you feel necessary to renew your leveling.

  • STEP 2: Filling up with sand

With the whole site clean of pavers, it is time to add sand to the problematic spots. A wise tip here: do not add the sand all at once, because you will need some later. Be sure to take care of all uneven soil.

  • STEP 3: Leveling

This is a tricky step, but totally doable if done patiently. Take your steel pipes and place them in the sand; they should have a slight angle downwards towards the edge for drainage. After that, place your piece of lumber to start leveling out the sand, and use the pipes as guides. If needed, add more sand as you go along.

The trowel here is valuable – you can use it to level out the nooks and crannies missed out by the piece of lumber.

  • STEP 4: Brick replacement

Once the soil is all even and flat again, your brick pavers are going back to business. Whether you bought some new ones or not, stack up each piece to a side close to you and get comfortable.

Once again, begin this process from one of the corners. Lay the brick pavers onto the sand, ensuring that they are right up against each other, until you’ve refilled the whole area.

  • STEP 5: Sweeping the cracks

The finishing touches come from the leftover sand that we said you should save. You see, the gaps between each brick are still going to be open, so you need to take care of that if you want to “seal” the floor.

In order to prevent anything from entering, fill the gaps with sand and use the broom to spread it over. Repeat this step until you clearly see the expected results. 

You’re done! Don’t forget to enjoy your hard work afterwards – and make sure to sweep your brick pavers again by the first rain after the installation.

How to avoid sunken pavers

If you do everything listed on this guide, your brick pavers will be as vigorous as they can get – make sure to check on them at least twice a year. The proper arrangement of your area is of utmost importance, and it’s crucial to lay them on a bed of compacted gravel or coarse sand.

Of course, in case you still have doubts, there’s always professional assistance available in your town – especially in Sarasota and surrounding counties.

Contact our installation crew

We at Eagle Pavers can help with anything you need. Don’t keep us waiting – we can level out your brick pavers right away! And if you’re interested in starting a new project, take a look at our online catalog and we’ll discuss the best choices available to you.

Or, in case you’re not yet amused by brick pavers, porcelain is a nice competitor that wins over the hearts of many homeowners. There’s a world of possibilities with pavers!

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