Key takeaways
- Sunken pavers are almost always a base or water problem.
- Adding sand on top is a temporary fix at best.
- A real repair lifts the pavers, rebuilds the base and resets them.
- Find the water source or the dip will return.
Common causes
A thin or poorly compacted base, soil washed out by a downspout or leak, tree roots, utility trenches and missing edge restraint are the usual culprits.
Clay soil that swells and shrinks with moisture can also move a base that was never properly separated from it.
What a proper repair looks like
The pavers are marked and lifted, the failed base is removed and replaced with compacted stone in lifts and a fresh sand bed is screeded flat. The same pavers go back in the same pattern, edges are restrained and joint sand is swept in.
Along the way we look for the cause so the repair does not need repeating.
What not to do
Sweeping sand into a dip hides it for a season. Raising only the top of a sunken area without fixing the base and water means the dip returns.
Related services
Quick answers
How much does paver repair cost?
It depends on the area and access. Small repairs can be done in a day. We quote after seeing the site.
Can sunken pavers be reused?
Yes, nearly always. Reusing them keeps the repair blended with the rest of the patio.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-431-3789.