Will de-icing salts damage my pavers?
Concrete pavers are considered to have a high resistance to traditional deicing chemicals such as sodium chloride commonly kown as ‘Rock-salt”. Pavers by Ideal® concrete paving stones have been tested for freeze-thaw performance using a 3% saline solution with excellent results. Other deicing chemicals should be carefully evaluated before use. More information can be found in our Deicing Chemical Advisory.
If a paver gets broken or damaged, can it be replaced?
Yes. We recommend that you save a few pavers from your initial installation, just in case you need to replace one or two.
Do pavers lose color after they have been installed for awhile?
The pigments used to color concrete pavers are very stable. Dirt and normal wear from traffic and weather may appear to change the color over time. Cleaning and sealing can restore and enhance the color.
Will a segmental landscape wall support a deck or fence?
Yes. However, any structure above the wall must be anchored into concrete tubes placed at least 3' behind the wall.
Is it okay to use stone dust for a bedding layer under pavers?
No. Stone dust traps water and gets spongy, which can cause rutting and settlement. Use coarse concrete sand or stone sand that conforms to ASTM C-33.
There is a low spot on my paver driveway. Are the pavers defective?
No. Settlement is often caused by inadequate soil or base compaction, or by poor drainage caused by using the wrong type of gravel. This can be easily repaired by taking up the pavers, correcting the problem and reinstalling the pavers.
Will snow plows damage or dislodge my pavers?
No. Properly installed pavers fit tightly together and form a uniform surface that presents no problem for plows, snowblowers, and shovels.
Can I use gravel behind my wall instead of 3/4" crushed stone?
No. It is very important that 3/4" crushed stone be used in order to provide proper drainage and prevent build-up of hydrostatic pressure, which can lead to wall failure.
Are pavers slippery when wet?
No. Our pavers have been tested and surpass ADA standards for slip resistance. They also provide excelled skid-resistance under wet or dry conditions.
Can I use a sealer on a pool deck?
We do not recommend using a sealer on pool decks unless it is a penetrating non-film sealer. Other sealers act like a magnifying glass on the surface of the pavers, which raises the temperature to a point that may be uncomfortable to walk on barefoot.
How high can I build a segmental landscape wall without geogrid?
For most conventional landscape walls, the maximum height is 4' when measured from the top of the footing. When using GravityStone, maximum wall height is 8'. Walls over these heights should be designed by an engineer and constructed by a professional contractor.
What is the whitish haze I sometime see on pavers and walls?
Most likely, it is efflorescence, which is a white deposit that sometimes appears on the surface of concrete, masonry, or clay products. Although it can come from a number of sources, efflorescence is often a natural by-product of cement hydration. Technically know as calcium hydroxide, it appears as a white film when carried to the surface by moisture.
The good news is that efflorescence is not indicative of a flawed product. Although it's unsightly when it first appears, in many cases it is scoured off during installation, or if desired, it can be removed using specialty cleaners. Otherwise is will lessen or dissipate over time. For more information, as your dealer for Ideal's efflorescence information sheet.
What is the difference between pins, tongue and groove, rear lip, or clips that the various segmental wall systems use? Is one better than the others?
There is very little difference between them. They simply serve to connect the units together and create a set-back. A wall develops resistance to soil pressure through the depth and weight of the block, batter of the wall, and friction between the units.
Is there a way to prevent weeds from growing between the joints of the pavers? Will using a landscape fabric or plastic sheeting help?
Weeds grow from windblown seeds that fall onto pavers and germinate down into the joints. They do not grow up from below, so using a landscape fabric or plastic sheeting is unnecessary. Weeds can be removed by hand, or with a biodegradable herbicide, such as Roundup®. Sealers or SandLock® can be useful in helping prevent weed growth and ants.
Can I park cars above my segmental landscape wall?
Yes. Segmental retaining walls are frequently used to provide support to parking areas. However, the wall should be engineered and typically requires the use of geogrid. Vehicles should not be allowed to park within 3' from the back of the wall.
Can segmental walls be used to create raised patio areas?
Yes. Segmental landscape walls are an excellent way to add more outdoor living space. They are used to encase and support the gravel you would add to bring the raised area to the desired height. These wall systems also allow you to easily incorporate stairs or steps into the raised patio.
Do I need a concrete footing to support my segmental landscape wall?
No. Unless the soil is extremely weak, a firmly compacted gravel footing is sufficient to support the wall and possesses the ability to accommodate natural movement of the wall.
Is it necessary to start my retaining wall below the frost line?
No. Unlike rigid retaining walls, segmental landscape wall systems are flexible structures and can accommodate slight movement and even settlement without cracking or other types of distress.