How to Revamp an Old Patio

There's no need to tear out and replace an old paver patio. With a little bit of elbow grease, you can revamp that old patio so that the pavers almost look like new again. Here's how.

Clean the Joints

Over time the sand in the joints between pavers can weaken or wash away. When this happens, weeds may begin to encroach. Not only does this look bad, eventually these weeds will force the pavers apart so that they crack or become uneven.

Start by weeding the joints between pavers. It's a good idea to spray the weeds with herbicide to kill them and then remove their tops, since pulling up an extensive root system may damage the pavers. You can also use a trowel or other narrow tools to scrape the weeds out from between the pavers.

Replace Damaged Pavers

Cracked and broken pavers must be replaced. Try to match the color of the remaining pavers as well as possible. If the pavers in your patio are no longer available, you can reposition a paver so that broken ones are a less obvious area. Another option, which only works if the damage is on one side of the paver, is to flip it over to the undamaged side. To remove a paver, use a chisel or screwdriver to loosen it from the sand on all sides, and then gently lever it up. After removing, check that the other side is not damaged and replace it in the patio. 

Clean the Patio Thoroughly

Pressure washing is an excellent way to remove years of grime from your patio, but it will also remove old sand from the joints. Another option is to clean the patio manually by scrubbing it down with a deck brush and a stone cleaner. After cleaning, you may find that the colors of any replacement pavers blend in better with the existing patio.

Sand and Seal

Replacement of empty or underfilled sand joints will prevent future weed incursion and it will help keep the pavers in place. Pour so much paver sand into the joints that you overfill them, and then sweep up the excess until all the joints are level. Once the sand is compacted, you can apply a joint sealer. This will prevent the sand from washing out in the future.

Apply Paver Sealant

Paver sealant isn't necessary, but it can help refresh the look of your pavers while also providing protection against moisture and weathering. The sealer helps even out the color of your pavers as well, which is helpful if you had to replace a few pavers in the patio. The sealant can be sprayed on or brushed on, depending on the type you choose.

Contact a paver patio builder for more help revamping your existing patio.