Patio pavers tend to require little maintenance and are made to last you a long time. However, they can sink from time to time, which can be a major tripping hazard. This can also form puddles of water, all of which can ruin the look of your patio and make it unsafe. For these reasons, you should fix your uneven patio pavers as soon as possible.

Yet, you might be wondering why this issue occurs in the first place. Pavers tend to sink because of uneven soil underneath the pavers. In this guide, we will provide you with more details on this issue and how to repair sinking pavers.

pavers are sinking

Why Do Patio Pavers Sink?

Here are some common reasons why your patio pavers may be sinking.

Uneven Ground

This is one of the most common reasons why patio pavers tend to sink. The ground underneath may have not been properly prepared for the paving job, which is why the soil ends up uneven and causes your pavers to be uneven as well. This can also happen in places with extremely cold weather.

Water Exposure

Another reason why you may have uneven patio pavers is because of water drainage issues. If the area on or around your pavers is collecting too much water, it may seep into the soil and cause your pavers to sink. This is also more likely if your pavers are frequently used and walked on.

Another such reason can be due to water leaks over a prolonged period of time, especially if your pavers had not been laid out properly.

Poor Installation

This is a common reason why pavers sink. It can often be caused when homeowners decide to install pavers themselves or if they hire inexperienced contractors. Either way, this means that you will need to remove all the pavers and start from scratch, which can be time-consuming and costly.

How to Repair Sinking Pavers

If a few of your pavers are sinking because of water exposure or uneven soil, you can easily repair them. However, if all of your pavers are sinking, you will need to remove all of them and start from scratch. In this case, it’s best if you hire an experienced professional so that they get the job done right.

If you have to repair a few sunken pavers, here are the steps you will need to follow:

  • Remove the sunken pavers and their underlying bedding
  • Empty that space and fill it up with gravel
  • Re-lay the paving stones on the ground
  • Tamp the bonds and sweep sand into the joints

The Bottom Line

As with any type of home improvement job, it is important that you hire trusted, reliable, and experienced contractors. This is why we recommend you check out Platinum Pavers for your paver repair and installation. With over twenty years of experience, we guarantee customer satisfaction since we get the job done flawlessly. Get in touch with us for a free consultation today!