If you have an ugly concrete patio that you hate, you likely assume you’re going to have to tear the whole thing out before you can put in a nice paver patio. However, that’s not necessarily the case. If your concrete slab is level and is not too damaged, you can actually place your pavers right on top of it. Once you’ve covered it up, no one will know that it was even there. Fortunately, it’s also very easy to do this. Here’s what it takes to upgrade your concrete patio to a paver one.
Is the Patio in Good Condition?
The first thing you need to do is look at your concrete slab. If it has minor damage like a few cracks, chips, or small holes, it’s okay. You can cover those with pavers without any problem. However, you do need to check the height of the slab. If it’s too close to your door and your door opens outward, adding pavers may prevent the door from opening at all. Measure the height of your pavers and then add three-fourths of an inch to account for the rise and fall of the slab due to the ground freezing under it. Of course, if you’re in a very warm climate, that may not be a big concern, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Glue Down Your Outer Pavers
The one major difference between creating a paver patio and building a paver patio on top of a slab is that you will want to glue at least the outer most row of pavers to the concrete. Otherwise, these pavers will begin moving off the slab, and then the rest of your patio will start spreading out. There is special construction adhesive that you can use to create this solid, unmoving ring of pavers. You can glue down the other pavers, too, but it’s not as necessary
Should You Cover Your Concrete Slab with Pavers?
If you want to put in a paver patio but have a slab, covering it is less work. You don’t have to remove the concrete or level out the space where it was. Just place your pavers over it. If you have any questions about this process, the team at Island Block & Masonry Supply is here to help. Contact us today with your questions.
