What Are the Downsides of Pavers in Covington?

Written by Big Easy Paver Patios

What Are the Downsides of Using Pavers?

Quick Answer: Pavers usually cost more to install than a plain concrete slab, and the joints between them need occasional care to keep sand in and weeds out. If the base underneath is thin or poorly compacted, pavers can sink and shift, which shows up as dips and uneven edges.

We build pavers for a living, and we’d still rather you hear the drawbacks from us before you sign anything. In Covington, where tall pines and live oaks shade a lot of yards, a few of these downsides matter more than they would on an open lot.

None of them is a dealbreaker for most homeowners. Each one is easier to live with when you know about it up front and plan for it.

Why Do Pavers Cost More Than Concrete Up Front?

A concrete slab is formed, poured, and finished in one go. A paver surface needs the same excavation and stone base, then every unit is set by hand, cut at the edges, and locked with an edge restraint. That extra labor is why a paver patio usually costs more on install day.

The tradeoff shows up later. When soft ground moves under a slab, the slab cracks and patches rarely match. When it moves under pavers, we lift the affected section, fix the base, and reset the same units. Our comparison of pavers vs concrete for New Orleans patios covers that long-term picture.

What Maintenance Do Paver Joints Need?

Joints are the part of a paver surface that asks for the most attention:

• Sand washout. Heavy rain and hose spray pull joint sand out, and the pavers can loosen.
• Weeds and grass. Seeds land in the joints and take root, especially in shade.
• Ants. Ants can push sand up out of the joints and leave small mounds.
• Debris. Leaves and needles break down into grit that settles between pavers.

Polymeric sand cuts down on most of this, and a sweep and refill every so often handles the rest. Our guide to keeping weeds out of paver joints has the details.

Why Do Pavers Sink or Shift?

Almost always because of what’s under them. A thin base, loose fill, or a missing edge restraint lets pavers settle and spread. Water that collects under the surface makes it worse. The pavers themselves are rarely the problem.

Uneven pavers are more than a cosmetic issue, since a raised edge can catch a toe. Our post on why pavers sink and settle explains the causes, and our paver repair and releveling in Covington covers how we fix it.

Do Concrete Pavers Fade or Get a White Haze?

Two things can change how concrete pavers look. The first is efflorescence, a white haze that can appear after installation. It comes from natural compounds in the cement moving to the surface with moisture. Paver makers describe it as temporary and harmless to the paver, and it usually fades on its own with time and weather. Darker pavers show it more than lighter ones.

The second is surface weathering. Concrete pavers get their color from pigment in the mix, and over years of sun and rain the surface can wear enough to show more of the aggregate inside, which softens the color. Clay brick holds its color better because the color runs through the whole unit. Sealing is an optional way to slow color change, though it adds a recurring step. See our guide to sealing pavers in our climate.

What Are the Downsides of Permeable Pavers?

Permeable pavers let rain soak through wide, stone-filled joints into a deep stone base. They’re a useful tool for wet yards, and they come with their own drawbacks. According to the EPA’s stormwater fact sheet on permeable pavements:

• Higher build cost. Permeable pavement typically costs more to construct than traditional pavement, though savings on stormwater handling can offset some of that.
• Clogging. Clogging is the most common maintenance concern. Fine particles fill the joints and slow infiltration, and vacuum sweeping can restore some of it.
• Harder underfoot for some users. The EPA notes designers may want to limit units with large aggregate-filled openings on paths used by people with disabilities, bicycles, high heels, and older adults.
• Site limits. Where soil drains poorly, designs may need deeper base layers or underdrains, which add cost.

Our guide to which permeable pavers are best for flood-prone homes goes further into the choices.

How Do Covington Yards Change the Picture?

Covington is wooded, and that’s a big part of its appeal. For pavers, it means:

• Needles and pollen. Pine litter collects in corners and joints. On permeable pavers it’s a main source of clogging, so blowing and sweeping become routine.
• Shade and algae. Patios under heavy canopy stay damp after rain and can grow algae that makes the surface slick.
• Roots. Big oaks near a driveway or patio can lift edges as roots grow.
• Sap and tannins. Pine sap and leaf tannins can stain lighter pavers.

We plan around these when we build in Covington: darker or blended colors that hide stains, placement with some distance from big trees, and joints that hold up to frequent cleaning. Our post on crushed stone or pavers for a driveway in Mandeville and Covington covers one more option for wooded lots. For anything that touches the street or drainage, check with the City of Covington or St. Tammany Parish about permits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pavers slippery when wet?

Textured pavers grip well. Smooth or algae-covered pavers in shade can get slick, so regular cleaning matters most in shaded yards.

Do pavers need to be sealed?

No. Sealing is optional. It can help with color and stains, but it needs to be redone over time.

Are permeable pavers worth it?

They can be for yards that hold water, as long as you’re ready to keep the joints clear of debris.

Talk Through the Tradeoffs for Your Covington Yard

We’ll walk your property, look at the trees and the drainage, and give you a free written estimate with an honest take on which surface fits.

See our paver patios in Covington, visit the Covington service area page, or call (504) 688-4244.