Is It Time to Fix or Replace Your Fort Lauderdale Pavers?

At some point in time every Broward County homeowner with a pool deck will stand on their patio and ask the question: are the paving stones of my pool deck — or other outside area such as a driveway or patio — good enough to fix, or is it time to replace the pavers? The cost of repairing fort lauderdale pavers can sometimes be more than replacing them all together. Conversely, the cost of cleaning a patio and applying a coat of sealing to the pavers can sometimes cost more in the long run than it would to replace them all together and have a beautiful new patio.

Signs Your Pavers Just Need Cleaning and Sealing

Some Fort Lauderdale pool decks may require nothing more than a cleaning and sealing of the pavers. In most cases where a pool deck appears to be “worn out,” it is indeed dirty, is experiencing oxidation, or simply has no protection on the pavers. A professional deep cleaning followed by a quality sealer can bring your pavers back to a like-new appearance and protect them from the elements for years to come.

Fading is the most common problem that causes homeowners to believe their pavers have failed when in reality the pavers are just unprotected from the elements. The pavers can look terrible and the homeowner may think that they need to be replaced. In most cases a deep cleaning of the pavers followed by an application of a high-quality UV-resistant sealer can bring the pavers back to their original color and have them looking great for years to come.

White powdery residue — known as efflorescence — is a substance that migrates to the surface of pavers through moisture in the concrete. Efflorescence is generally a cosmetic issue that can be removed from pavers with a specialized treatment. Pavers that have been treated for efflorescence should then be sealed to prevent future occurrences.

There are many different types of stains that can appear on pavers. Some are caused by algae, mildew, rust, or even a chemical from the pool. In these cases, a professional-grade cleaner can be applied to the affected area to remove the stain. Once the stain has been removed, a paver sealer can be applied to help prevent any future staining from forming.

Signs Your Pavers Actually Need to Be Replaced

Minor cracks or fractures in pavers are typically repairable; however, when the cracks or fractures begin to spall — meaning the surface breaks off in chunks — or actually split completely through the paver, they are considered non-repairable. In these cases, the affected paver or pavers will need to be removed and replaced with new pavers of similar material and color.

Severe instances of structural failure of a paved area may necessitate the full removal of the affected patio or pool deck section and the laying of an entirely new base. This is typical of patio slabs installed in backyards with sandy soil that is subject to heavy moisture from rain, irrigation, and the occasional high splashing of pool water. As moisture makes its way into the sandy bedding material, it causes the compacted base material beneath the pavers to wash away or otherwise become compromised. As a result, individual pavers can become un-level — heaving up in spots or sinking down into the base below. Although in some instances the uneven pavers can be re-sanded or partially re-set to provide a more even surface, there are times when a partial to complete re-surfacing of the affected section will be required. In such cases, the affected area will be removed, new base material installed, and new pavers re-laid on top of the newly formed base.

Even when pavers are properly installed and regularly cleaned and sealed, the joints between them can sometimes widen over time. If the sand in the joints has washed away completely, the pavers can start to shift. In extreme cases, pavers can become so loose that they roll underfoot. This type of damage is most often found along pool drains and the edges of a pool deck, and can be caused by erosion of the bedding sand, settling of the base, or movement of the pavers themselves. While simply re-sanding and compacting the joints may be sufficient in some cases, more severe damage may require the pavers to be removed and re-laid entirely to restore stability.

When Storm Damage Is the Cause: How a Public Adjuster Can Help

After a hurricane or tropical storm, many South Florida homes are affected by wind-driven debris, flooding, or falling trees. Homeowners file an insurance claim for damage to their pool deck or driveway pavers, only to find — after the claim is settled — that the settlement did not pay for the full restoration of their pavers to their original condition. In these situations, homeowners can greatly benefit from the services of a licensed public adjuster fort lauderdale.

A public adjuster is a licensed professional who works only on behalf of the homeowner — not the insurance company. He or she will inspect the damage to the pool deck and driveway, take photographs, document all damage, obtain quotes from licensed contractors, and then negotiate the highest possible settlement from the insurance company on the homeowner’s behalf. Because public adjusters typically work on a contingency fee basis, the homeowner pays nothing for their services unless and until the public adjuster successfully negotiates a settlement. For homeowners dealing with damaged fort lauderdale pavers after a storm, having a public adjuster in their corner can make a significant difference in the final outcome.

Junk Removal from the Paver Construction Site — Don’t Forget

There are many contractors in Fort Lauderdale that can tear out an old paver pool deck and have it rebuilt within weeks, depending on the size of the job. When shopping around for such contractors, it is important to ask how they plan on hauling off all of the construction waste and debris that will be generated. Many contractors include the hauling off of all waste in their initial price to remodel a pool deck. Others work with preferred junk removal specialists — ideally those with experience removing large amounts of debris from large pool decks — who can best serve the client’s needs.

Either way, it is in the client’s best interest to find out prior to signing a contract exactly how the contractor plans on removing the waste generated during the project. Clarifying this detail upfront can save a great deal of time and stress, and can potentially lead to better contract terms if debris removal is included from the start. It is also worth noting that if the waste is the result of a storm, the cost of hauling the debris may be covered under the homeowner’s insurance policy for the loss. A public adjuster can help ensure that debris removal costs are properly documented and included in the insurance claim.

Some contractors that install new pavers will remove the old pavers as part of their contract. Others may have a preferred junk removal service they use and can provide an estimate for debris removal separately. Before signing any contract, make sure it is clear who is responsible for removing the debris and what that removal will cost. If an insurance claim is being filed for storm damage to a pool deck, confirm that the cost of debris removal is captured within the claim — and lean on the public adjuster to make sure it is.

The Bottom Line

Knowing the difference between a pool deck that requires a few cosmetic touch-ups and one that requires a full rebuild can save a homeowner significant money and unnecessary stress. Whether or not the patio deck has suffered storm damage from a hurricane or tropical storm, it is always best to have an experienced contractor or a public adjuster provide an honest assessment of the damage to your pavers before settling on an amount with the insurance company — one that may ultimately not be sufficient to complete the necessary repairs for a full restoration of the patio deck to its original condition.