A Mistaken Notion Regarding Paver Driveways and Patios

A Mistaken Notion Regarding Paver Driveways and Patios

As I was shoveling snow off my in-laws’ paver patio last week, I was reminded of a concern often expressed by my clients.

“What am I going to do about shoveling snow?” they’ll ask.

As with most rumors about pavers, this one probably (I always forget to ask) originates from poorly installed examples of interlocking concrete pavement (ICP). For it is surely not the engineering that causes pavers to fail (there are just as many stellar examples of pavers).

The assumption is that a paver driveway or patio, will not be flat and therefore create problems for the shoveler. However, if installed properly, using the specified materials, ICP (pavers) should always provide a flawless surface. The same goes for asphalt and concrete: if the work is done correctly, the pavement should not fail.

So there it is. This snow shoveling problem is a misconception about brick paving.

“You just shovel it,” I say. “Or plow it with a truck, or four wheeler, or walk behind a snow blower. Whatever you prefer!”

SBP