Search
Close this search box.

FAQs

General Questions

Efflorescence is a whitish, powder-like deposit that can sometimes appear on the surface of the paving stones. It may appear immediately or within a short time after installation. Efflorescence occurs when natural salts come to the surface and leave behind a white deposit that can normally be brushed off. Left alone, normal wear and exposure to the elements will dissipate the efflorescence. This is not a product defect or harmful to pavers and walls. Nicolock accepts no liability for its occurrence. To remove the efflorescence before it wears away naturally, best results are obtained by using an efflorescence remover, available from most mason supply dealers. Do not use muriatic acid. If a sealer is to be applied to the paving stones, it is recommended that any presence of efflorescence be removed prior to sealing. Precautions for proper drainage of the paving stone system should be taken to minimize the occurrence of efflorescence. Follow proper installation methods.
paver-shield™ is not a thin veneer of color coating—the color goes all the way through. paver-shield™ pavers are guaranteed to look great year after year, retaining their vibrant color and smooth texture. Products without paver-shield™ may become worn and faded over time with exposed aggregate on the surface.
 
Yes, all Nicolock pavers have color throughout. Those manufactured with our exclusive paver-shield™ process have an extra concentration of cement and pigment on the wear layer, providing deep rich colors and a smooth, dense wear layer.
Patterned concrete pavements are slabs of concrete that are embossed with a pattern. They are prone to problems with freeze/thaw cycles, namely cracking and fragmenting. In addition, unlike Nicolock pavers, patterned concrete pavements do not allow access to underground utilities or the ability to make repairs. At virtually the same price installed per square foot, Nicolock pavers are clearly a superior choice.
Not only are Nicolock pavers beautiful, they provide the best pavement solution in freeze/thaw conditions when installed over a compacted aggregate base. Installation over a compacted aggregate base results in a pavement that is strong, yet flexible enough to move as the ground shifts without breaking apart, rutting or heaving. In addition, pavers can be “unzipped” to allow for repairs or access to utility lines. Unlike asphalt and other surfaces, pavers are virtually maintenance-free. Concrete pavers are also about three times stronger than regular poured concrete.

Nicolock offers a wide range of paving stone products, including our paver-shield pavers. These pavers feature our paver-shieldtechnology, which combines ultra-fine sand, Portland cement and added color to provide exceptional strength and appearance.

Fire pits should sit on some sort of foundation and/or heat shield to protect the area beneath from heat damage. Many people use concrete pavers, crushed gravel, a fire ring or some combination of the three when installing their fire pit in the yard.

Pavers perform best when laid over an aggregate base. This typically consists of crushed gravel in various sizes, which allows the base to compact and shift as needed. You should also put a layer of bedding sand over the aggregate to help protect the sand joints from erosion.

A pallet of pavers typically weighs between 2,500 and 3,500 pounds and consists of anywhere from 20 to 400-plus paving stones depending on their size and density. As an example, a pallet of our Rustico 6×9 paving stones with 2,982 pounds and contain 300-6 inch by 9 inch paving stones

Concrete pavers are an excellent fire pit foundation. They’re sturdy enough to reliably hold the fire pit, and they won’t catch fire themselves. Note that you may need to dig the pavers into the ground a little to make sure the pit is leveled.

Experts recommend that patio pavers be at least 2 inches thick to properly distribute weight. For driveways and patios with heavy foot traffic, pavers should be at least 2-3/8 inches thick.

There are many ways to decorate the area surrounding your pool. Celebrate nature with plants and small trees or use gravel or rocks for a clean, low-maintenance look. Concrete pavers are a great option for pool decks and stairs, supporting foot traffic with a colorful design.

Permeable pavement is a concrete, asphalt or paving stone surface that has open pores and a stone reservoir beneath. It improves water drainage in urban areas, allowing water to re-enter the soil instead of pooling above ground. You can also create a similar effect using concrete grids.

Installation Questions

Absolutely, provided certain steps are taken. Care must be taken so that water does not pool underneath the pavers. Drainage holes should be drilled in large slabs, filled with pea gravel and covered with landscape fabric. Edge pavers must be restrained to keep joints from opening up.
 
One-half ton of modified stone or sand will cover about 100-square-feet at one-inch thick. Using a 10-foot by 10-foot (100-square-feet) patio as an example, you would need one-half ton of sand for the setting bed (one inch thick) and three tons of modified stone for the base (six inches thick). You’ll need about 5% more sand for the joints between the pavers. The thickness of the base material depends on the application and subgrade soil conditions (use a thicker base for poorly drained soils). As a rule of thumb, you’ll need four to six inches of base material for walkways and patios and eight to twelve inches for driveways and parking areas.
Polymeric sand is a high-tech mix of graded sand and binder, specially formulated for filling joints between pavers. When installed properly, polymeric sand will remain in the paver joints and inhibit weed growth and insect infestation.

Absolutely. For residential driveways, 8 – 12 Inches of compacted base material is recommended. A standard 2-3/8-inch thick paver can be used for light vehicular (cars and pickup trucks) applications. A herringbone pattern is most suitable in these situations.

Yes. Not only do Nicolock pavers make an attractive pool deck, but they also provide a slip-resistant walking surface. Pavers are actually better than poured concrete around pools from the standpoint that the joints will take on moisture and leave the pavement cooler underfoot. Like all products that are used outdoors, lighter colors tend to stay cooler as they reflect the sunlight. Our Fullnose and Pool Coping Pavers are ideal for pool edges. Make sure the base material around the pool is well compacted before installing pavers. Safety covers can also be installed over pavers with the use of special anchors.

Nicolock pavers are an ideal cold-weather solution. Unlike some other materials, paving stones have great resistance to cold weather, snow, salt and certain chemicals. The low-porosity design also reduces the effects of the freeze-thaw cycle

Concrete paving stones are the most durable way to build a patio. They are strong enough to withstand heavy foot traffic and furniture, and they’re less likely to develop cracks or frost heaves than wood, brick and natural stone.

Once you’ve laid the perfect patio pavers, there are many items you can use to create a dining area. Outdoor dining kits integrate a grill, burner,

cabinets and countertop into durable paving stones. You may also need an oven, refrigerator, sink or storage drawers. Browse our outdoor dining supplies for these materials.

Our segmental retaining wall systems provide an excellent solution to this problem. They are strong enough to last a lifetime. Nicolock offers several different wall systems to meet your needs.
As a rule of thumb, all walls over three-feet high should be reinforced with geogrid. Geogrid is placed between the layers of block at different intervals to stabilize the soil behind the retaining wall and secure the wall face to the earth behind it. The height of the finished wall, soil characteristics, and the pressure on the wall caused by slopes, structures and/or paved areas all affect the proper placement and lengths of geogrid.

To add a retaining wall to a sloped yard, you will need to dig a stepped trench about 24 inches wide and get it compact and level. After installing the wall block, excavate a second level before placing the blocks. The wall should also lean into the hill by at least 1 inch per foot of height, which helps it resist soil pressure.

To seal patio pavers, clean the surface and remove any weeds. Then apply your sealing formula using a low-pressure sprayer. If the joints are eroded or worn, apply polymeric sand first to strengthen them.

A basic backyard fire pit can be completed in four steps. First, use the bottom stone ring and spray paint to make an outline in the grass. Then dig a hole in the outlined area 6 inches deep. Fill the hole with crushed gravel until it’s level with the ground, then build the pit on top of this foundation using your stones and masonry adhesive.

Paver Care

Efflorescence is a natural and common occurrence in many concrete products. Efflorescence occurs when natural salts come to the surface and leave behind a white deposit that can normally be brushed off. This is not a product defect or harmful to pavers and walls. Nicolock accepts no liability for its occurrence. It usually wears away with time.
Sealers help resist stains and can enhance the color. Some can also bind the sand in the joints to make it difficult for weeds to germinate. Wait at least six months to allow any efflorescence to appear. Prior to the application of any sealers, pavers must be cleaned with an appropriate product to remove dirt and efflorescence.
See our guidelines for stain removal in Product Care. If pavers are exceptionally stained or damaged, individual units can be removed and replaced. Remove the sand around these pavers and use two flathead screwdrivers to lift the paver out. Rocking the paver gently in a back-and-forth motion will facilitate removal.
If it’s a small area, remove the stained pavers and replace them. Otherwise mop up any excess oil with rags. Cover the area with oil absorbent talc or kitty litter. Diatomaceous earth can also be used. Leave it on the stain for a day and then sweep.
The best way to clean pavers is to use hot, soapy water and a stiff bristle scrub brush. A liquid, acid-free soap is recommended. Simple Green, sold in many grocery, hardware and home center stores, is also very effective and safe for plant life and other vegetation. After scrubbing, rinse dirt and debris with clean water. If using a hose, be careful to not spray away your joint sand. Pressure washers are not recommended as they can cause scarring by removing the cement paste from the surface and can also remove joint and bedding sand. Mechanical cleaners with rotating brushes have been found to be effective.
Use liquid bleach diluted in water (10 parts water to one part bleach). Be careful to avoid plant material. Keep in mind moss and mold may reappear in shady, damp areas.
Weeds and grass occur when seeds or spores lodge in the joints between pavers. They will not grow from underneath. This can be minimized by using polymeric sand or by mixing a pre-emergent granular weed killer into the joint sand. If weeds do appear, a spot vegetation killer (such as Round-Up™) can be used and will not damage the pavers.
Pavers can be plowed and shoveled just like asphalt, concrete and other pavement materials. In fact, snow and ice will normally melt faster because of the joints around the pavers. A plow blade with a rubber edge is recommended. Do not use sharp objects to chop ice as they can damage the pavers. Using a snow blower on your pavers is perfectly fine; however, be careful not to scrape the pavers with the steel housing of the snow blower, which can cause damage.
Nicolock recommends using rock salt to remove snow and ice from pavers. The use of magnesium chloride or other chloride products are not recommended and will void the warranty as they may harm the structural integrity of your pavers over time.