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Frequently Asked Questions
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How long do concrete pavers last? 30 years which is much longer than other pavements under normal residential use. Can dirty or broken pavers be replaced? Yes, you can be assured of replacement pavers by keeping extras from the job. When replacing a paver, scrape out the sand in the joints from those surrounding the paver to be removed. Use two screwdrivers to wiggle it out. Others can be removed by hand. Insert the new paver, replace the joint sand, compacting the paver into place with a rubber mallet. Will freezing and thawing damage pavers? No, damage from ice is virtually non-existent. The joints allow the pavers to move without cracking in freeze and thaw cycles. Will pavers be slippery? No, their surface texture is ideal for obtaining safe traction in pedestrian, vehicular, and pool applications, even when wet.
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 Why do EP Henry Pavers make the ideal pavement? |
Our pavers are the ideal product for freeze/thaw environments. Proper installation of the product results in a pavement that is rigid yet flexible. The joints between pavers allow the walkway, driveway, patio, etc. to move without cracking. In addition, they can be unzipped to allow for repairs or access to utilities.
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| Unlike asphalt, pavers are virtually maintenance-free and do not need to be regularly sealed or replaced. By definition, concrete pavers have a minimum compressive strength of 8,000 psi (about 3 times stronger than regular poured concrete) and a maximum water absorption rate of 5%. |
| Why are they called interlocking concrete pavers?
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It is the system that makes them interlocking concrete pavers, not necessarily the shape. When installed properly, the combination of the pavers, bedding sand, edge restraint and joint sand causes them to interlock, allowing them to work as a unified, flexible pavement.
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| Does the color go all the way through the paver? |
| Most EP Henry Pavers (other than Coventry and Bullnose) are manufactured with the Durafacing process which concentrates an extra dosage of cement and pigment on the wear layer. You'll never wear through this layer over the lifetime of the installation. Our non-durafaced pavers have pigment throughout. |
| Someone recommended that I use a fabric under my installation.
When and where is it used? |
| EP Henry recommends a separation
fabric (e.g. Mirafi's 500X) under all paver installations. The
fabric is laid on top of the compacted soil in the excavated area
and keeps the aggregate base material from working its way into
the soil subgrade. This is especially important where the soil
contains a lot of clay. At a cost of pennies a square foot, the
separation fabric provides an insurance policy against base failure.
Terrascapes uses Mirafi 500x in all their installations. |
| How do pavers compare with patterned or stamped concrete? |
| Patterned concrete pavements are merely slabs of concrete that are embossed with a pattern. Therefore, they are prone to the same problems with freeze/thaw cycles, namely cracking and spalling. We guarantee that EP Henry Pavers won't crack or spall; you cannot obtain a similar guarantee for stamped concrete. Stamped concrete requires expansion joints every 10 feet or so which are very distracting in some patterns. Also, unlike EP Henry Pavers, patterned concrete pavements don't allow access to underground utilities or the ability to make repairs. At virtually the same price per square foot installed, EP Henry Pavers are clearly a superior choice. |
| Will weeds grow between my pavers? |
| Weeds and grass result from seeds
or spores blowing into and lodging in the joint sand. This can
be minimized by sealing the pavers or mixing a pre-emergent granular
weed killer into the joint sand. If they do appear, a spot vegetation
killer (such as Round-UpE can be used and will not damage
the pavers. Terrascapes recommends and uses polymeric sand as the
joint sand. |
| What can you tell me about snow removal and my pavers? |
| Pavers can be plowed and shoveled the same as asphalt or concrete pavements. In fact, the chamfered edges and joints around the pavers promote melting of snow and ice. A plow with a rubber edge is recommended. Do not use sharp objects to chop ice as they can damage the pavers. Both sodium chloride (rock salt) and calcium chloride will remove snow and ice but can harm the pavers (and any concrete surface for that matter). Safe Thaw® ice melter is an effective and safe de-icer for your paving stone installation . |
| How about using EP Henry Pavers on my pool deck? |
| Not only do EP Henry Pavers make an attractive pool deck, but they also provide a slip resistant surface to walk on. Pavers actually are better than poured concrete around pools from the standpoint that the joints will take on moisture and leave the pavement cooler under foot. Like all products that are used outdoors, lighter colors will tend to stay cooler as they reflect the sunlight. Furthermore, our Bullnose Pavers make a nice pool coping. Make sure the soil around the pool is well compacted before installing pavers. |
Additional questions you may have can be answered by a manufacturer's representative, a contractor, or the ICPI. Your concrete paver project is just like any other home improvement. Do your homework, and reap the rewards for years to come. Enjoy!
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