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Why did this paver walk fail? The value of edge restraint

July 1, 2013 by Dave Marciniak 3 Comments

failed edge paver walk

I was walking into a meeting at a hotel last week when I saw what my path looked like. Here’s a hint: your paver walk should NEVER look like a half-unzipped Members Only jacket. How did this happen? Improper edge restraint. To explain, let’s step back and look at how a paver walkway should be installed.

Paver-Edge-Sketch

Keeping it quick and dirty, you excavate to undisturbed soil and build back up with a base of compacted 21A (3/4″ minus gravel). As in the sketch I did, you extend the base past the edge of where the walk will go. You then use a paver edge restraint spiked into the compacted base. Two things caused the walkway in the photo to fail: they clearly did not extend the base far enough, and they did not use proper edge restraint. It’s a shame because otherwise it’s not a bad looking walkway.

If you’re looking for help planning your landscape project and you want to be sure that the crews know what needs done, contact us for a consultation. We’d love to help your front walk look gorgeous – and not like a zipper.

 

Filed Under: Commercial Landscape Design, DC Landscape Design, Hardscaping, Maryland Landscape Design, Northern Virginia Landscape Design, Pavers

About Dave Marciniak

Dave Marciniak is a landscape designer and speaker. He lives in Culpeper, Virginia and can be found via his website and on Twitter.

Comments

  1. Clark says

    July 1, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    I think the walk in the pic has more to do with extending the base than lack of restraints, although that could be an issue too. Setting the edge on soil will always lead to movement, no matter what kind of restraint you use.

    The quality of the restraints can come into play too. Some of the cheaper restraints will bend or warp based on temp or age. Which eventually will lead to the edge stones migrating away.

    Personally, and I know EP Henry will say otherwise, I’ve has the most success mortaring the edge stones directly to the compacted base. You just have to be careful to have a substantial amount (not wafer thin) of mortar, with a thick enough base to resist moving due to frost or moisture heaves.

    Reply
  2. charles signorelli says

    August 25, 2013 at 3:18 am

    just a thought here but shouldnt there be a spacer on the curb for movement? and when were those bushes planted…

    Reply
  3. David Marciniak says

    August 26, 2013 at 1:40 am

    charles, are you referring to some sort of expansion material, like what you’d use between a concrete pour and a wall? Probably wouldn’t hurt, but… looks like the unrestrained back edge took care of that!

    No clue on the age of the install, I just have a breakfast meeting there every week.

    Reply

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  • About our team
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      • Fredericksburg Landscape Design and Pool
      • Pond install in Prince William County
      • Culpeper Landscape Design
      • Culpeper Modern Backyard Landscape Design
      • Sperryville landscape design with ponds and waterfalls
      • Fredericksburg landscaping at Chancellorsville
      • Lake Anna landscaping & planting
      • Culpeper Winery Landscape Design
      • Oakton Modern Landscape Design
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    • Pergolas & Decks
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    • Fireplaces & Firepits
    • Retaining walls
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