If you have an old concrete patio or a cracked concrete walkway, you might be looking for a cost effective way to significantly enhance your curb appeal. Many homeowners ask: can you put pavers on top of old concrete? The expert answer is yes, but only if the existing concrete is in the right condition. Putting pavers on top of an existing surface can provide a beautiful new surface without the massive labor and expense of tearing out an old concrete slab.
However, simply placing pavers down isn’t enough. To ensure your new pavers remain level and stable, you must follow specific installation steps to avoid shifting and drainage issues.
Assessing Your Existing Concrete Base
Before installing pavers, you must inspect the concrete base. A solid base is essential for a successful paver installation.
- Structural Integrity: If your concrete surface has major cracks, large cracks, or is settling unevenly, it is not a good candidate for this method. Pavers start to shift if the ground beneath the existing concrete is unstable.
- Drainage Check: You must ensure proper drainage. If you currently have water pooling or poor drainage on your concrete patio, adding pavers over concrete will not fix the problem; it will only hide it until it causes weed growth or structural failure.
- Height Clearances: Adding pavers on top will raise the height of your outdoor surface. Check door thresholds and the front walkway to ensure the new surface won’t block doors or create trip hazards.
Expert Tips for Installing Pavers Over Concrete
When you lay pavers over a concrete base, the method differs slightly from a standard gravel base installation.
- Prepare the Surface: Use a pressure washer to clean the existing surface thoroughly. This ensures a clean bond for any mortar or adhesive used on the perimeter.
- Create Drainage: If the slab is large, you may need to drill drainage holes through the concrete and fill them with crushed stone to prevent water from trapped between the concrete and the paver base.
- The Sand Layer: Instead of a thick base layer, you will use a thin layer of bedding sand or coarse sand (about 1 inch). Use a screed board to keep the sand level. Do not use a plate compactor directly on the concrete; instead, use a rubber mallet to set individual pavers.
- Secure the Perimeter: You must install edging or edge restraints. Without solid edge restraints or a mortar bed for the border pavers, the individual pavers will eventually slide off the concrete slab.
The Benefits of Pavers Over Concrete
Choosing to lay pavers over your old concrete walkway or patio offers several advantages:
- Visual Appeal: It instantly transforms a boring, grey outdoor space into a high-end retreat with concrete pavers or natural stone.
- Cost Savings: You save on the more labor-intensive process of demolition and hauling away old concrete.
- Durability: A single paver can be replaced easily if damaged, unlike a concrete walkway which requires a full patch or new concrete.
Step-By-Step Guide to Success
- Layout: Use a string line to keep your rows straight across the walkway.
- Cutting: You will likely need a circular saw or a diamond blade to fit the new pavers perfectly against the existing surface.
- Finishing: Once all the pavers are in place, sweep polymeric sand into the joints. This specialized sand helps prevent weed growth and locks the paver surface together.
While installing pavers over an existing surface is a cost effective project, it requires precision. If your concrete has significant damage, it is always better to remove it and start with a traditional paver base for a long lasting result.