Why Paving Fails
Brick-or-segmental paving has been used successfully since Roman times. If installed correctly, it will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, in South Africa, there is no institution that offers training for paving installers. Standards are dwindling and we see more and more failures as a result. Most builders, handymen, and guys sitting outside builder’s merchants with their placards claim that they know how to install paving but you simply don’t know what you don’t know. Below, we will explore common reasons as to why paving fails.
Unlike built structures, where you can see things are wrong during construction, paving seems to be fine until a few weeks, months or years after installation. Because paving fails gradually, unlike a building or wall collapsing, there are generally also no recourse or consequences.
Unfortunately, as with anything in the built environment, one problem will create another, until inevitably, the whole system will fail.
What Paving Failures are Common in South Africa
Insufficient or non-existent foundations
After hearing the story of the Three Little Pigs, even a toddler would tell you that it is ludicrous to build a house without a foundation. Unfortunately, most people blindly accept that it is perfectly fine to construct a pavement directly on the soil found on site. This will lead to settlement, indentations, and rutting in the paving. Consequently, this will lead to water ponding, which in turn, will lead to all kinds of other problems.
Bad or insufficient edge restraints
Pavers need to be kept tightly together with strong edge restraints. Because of bad practices and workmanship, these edges fail very quickly and this leads to the movement of pavers.
Loss of jointing material
Basic maintenance of pavements entails topping up sand joints periodically for the first couple of months until they stabilise. Unfortunately, this is not common practice. Insufficient joining material will lead to pavers moving and cracking.
Bad drainage
Water infiltrating the paved system will cause structural problems. Any paved surface should drain well, both above and below ground. Keeping water out of your paving structure is key.
How to Prevent These Failures
- Ensure your paving installation is done the way paving is supposed to be installed.
- Understand that good paving installers cost more. Also, understand that sometimes good paving installers have to take shortcuts in order to compete with the guys who claim they know what they are doing.
- A joint-stabilising sealant will go a long way in preventing the issues described above.
- A joint stabilising sealant will remedy many of the issues described above. It stabilises joints keeps the pavers intact and also keeps water out of the system.
The Costs of Salvaging a Failed Pavement?
Joint stabilising paving sealants are not cheap. Generally, the cost is similar to the paving bricks themselves. Just bear in mind that replacing the pavement would entail, uplifting and removal of the existing pavers, the cost of new pavers, and paying much more for installation of a new pavement in order to prevent the new pavement from failing again because of shortcuts taken by a “cheap” installer. To read more about joint stabilising sealants, click here. We understand that spending money on installed paving is a grudge purchase but the problems will only become worse and more expensive the longer you leave it
Contact Us
Resiblock is regarded as a leading European supplier in the paving sealant industry over the past 30 years. One thing that makes Resiblock stand out is our expertise and knowledge in the industry. Let us help you find the perfect solution!