Hardscape FAQ’s

About Us

Is American Paving Design licensed, bonded and insured?

Yes. American Paving Design is insured, bonded and licensed.

Does American Paving Design provide references?

Yes, we do. We have many happy and satisfied customers who have given us permission to use them as a reference. Just ask, and we will provide the information.

Where is American Paving Design located?

Our address is: 49 Pennington Drive, Unit E. Bluffton, SC 29910 ( Sheridan Park ). Our mailing address is, PO Box 217 Bluffton, SC 29910.

All Things Pavers

What are the advantages of sealing my pavers?

Sealers can offer several advantages:

• They help resist stains.

• They may make it easier to remove mold, moss, and mildew.

• They may enhance the color.

Sealers, however, are topical products and must be reapplied regularly (generally every 2 to 3 years).  Sealing does not extend the life or durability of the pavers.

Can I remove moss or mold from my pavers?

Try Clorox liquid bleach diluted in water (10 parts water to one part Clorox). Be careful not to get it on other plant material. Keep in mind that there is nothing that will keep it from growing back if it’s in a shady, damp area. For a more permanent solution, you will need to correct the moisture and shade problems that are encouraging the moss or mold.

I have an existing concrete walkway or driveway. Can I lay pavers over it?

While not the preferred method, pavers can be laid on top of existing concrete walkways or driveways if the concrete is in good shape. Typically, a 30 mm paver is used for these applications and are installed over a thin bed of sand.  However, two issues may arise:

1. The grade will be raised by about 1.2 inches. This is particularly critical if any doorways are involved.

2. If the existing concrete slab should raise or drop, then the pavers will do the same.

At American Paving Design , we usually recommend removing the concrete surface and using full 60 mm pavers.

What can I do if my pavers are stained or damaged?

One of the advantages of pavers is that individual units can be removed and replaced in these situations. Remove the sand around the paver and then use two flat head screwdrivers to lift the paver out. Rocking the paver gently in a back-and-forth motion will facilitate removal.

Will weeds grow between my pavers?

Weeds and grass result from seeds or spores blowing into and lodging in the joint sand. This can be minimized by using SuperSand when the pavers are installed.  You can also put a pre-emergent granular weed killer (Preen) into the joints. If weeds do appear, a spot vegetation killer (such as Round-Up™) can be used and will not damage the pavers.  Super Sand is the best choice in that it also prevents erosion of the joint sand.

What decisions do we have to make in considering a paver project?

Once you have decided to proceed with a paver project you will need to decide upon:

1. The design

2. The color(s)

3. The body pattern and the border pattern

4. The paver or stone style

Other considerations include widening the driveway, curving the walkway, flaring the walkway at the entry, using tumbled pavers, etc. These choices may sound overwhelming, but we will walk you through the entire process and make you aware of all the possible options.  Also, we can advise you on what would best address your situation and goals.

Is there a price difference between the colors?

Yes. Typically, concrete pavers are manufactured using either a gray or white cement. The white cement is considerably more expensive but allows for lighter colors and more dramatic color variations. Selecting a premium color (white cement) usually adds 8% to 10% to the cost of the project.

How do pavers compare with patterned or stamped concrete?

Patterned concrete pavements are merely slabs of concrete that are embossed with a pattern. Therefore, they are prone to the same problems as poured concrete, namely cracking and spalling. Stamped concrete requires expansion joints every 10 feet or so, which are very distracting in some patterns. Also, unlike pavers, patterned concrete pavements don’t allow access to underground utilities or the ability to make repairs. In many cases, decorated concrete coatings tend to degrade after several years. At virtually the same price per square foot installed, pavers are clearly a superior choice.

Does the color go all the way through the paver?

Yes, pavers have pigment throughout.

Why are they called "interlocking concrete pavers"?

The system that makes them interlocking concrete pavers, not necessarily the shape. When installed properly, the combination of the pavers, bedding sand, edge restraint and joint sand causes them to interlock, allowing them to work as a unified, flexible pavement.

Why do pavers make the ideal pavement?

Pavers are the ideal product for all environments. Proper installation of the product results in a pavement that is rigid, yet flexible. The joints between pavers allow the walkway, driveway, patio, etc. to move without cracking. In addition, they can be “unzipped” to allow for repairs or access to utilities. Unlike asphalt, pavers are virtually maintenance-free. By definition, concrete pavers have a minimum compressive strength of 8,000 psi (about 3 times stronger than regular poured concrete) and a maximum water absorption rate of 5%.

How long does it take to replace an existing driveway with a paver driveway?

Of course, the weather and soil conditions play a big role in this, but a driveway project will typically take two to three full days to complete.

How do I remove grease and oil stains from my pavers?

To safely remove grease or oil stains from concrete pavers, use a product specifically designed to do just that. Sure Bond and Techni-Seal’s both make an excellent dirt and grease cleaner. They are available at Lowcountry Pavers in Hardeeville. If you want to seal your pavers to help minimize future staining, we recommend sealers from SureBond. Before sealing your pavers, you should do a general cleaning of the entire surface to remove any soils or surface efflorescence. A word of caution: make sure that the pavers are completely clean and dry before applying the sealer.

What is the whitish deposit I see on some paver installations?

You are probably referring to efflorescence, a natural and common occurrence in many concrete and clay brick products. Efflorescence is the result of naturally occurring mineral salts found in the materials used in the production of pavers or block . Lowcountry Pavers accepts no liability for its occurrence. When pavers become wet and absorb moisture the mineral, salts are dissolved and are drawn to the surface of the paver with the moisture as it evaporates. This is not a product defect or harmful to the pavers and will usually weather away with time. We recommend that you wait 6 months to a year for it to dissipate. However, if you don’t want to wait for it to weather away, Techni-Seal offers an excellent cleaning product to remove it. Never use Muriatic Acid to remove efflorescence or clean pavers. It is too harsh and will damage the surface of the pavers.