When Hurricane Winds Meet Your Hardscape: A Suffolk County Homeowner’s Guide to Paver Recovery
Suffolk County homeowners know all too well the devastating impact hurricanes can have on their properties. Situated in the easternmost part of New York, Suffolk County has over a thousand miles of coastline, and on August 19, 2024, heavy rainfall caused by a major storm resulted in devastating floods across Suffolk County, Long Island. While much attention focuses on structural damage to homes and businesses, your outdoor hardscapes—patios, driveways, and walkways—often bear the brunt of these powerful storms, requiring specialized restoration expertise.
Understanding Hurricane Damage to Pavers
Hurricane damage to pavers extends far beyond what meets the eye. During a major weather event such as a hurricane, the volume of storm water produced can create many problems for you. Aside from damage to your home or vehicles, stormwater can create localized flooding on your hardscapes in your driveway, patio, or decks. The combination of high winds, torrential rains, and flooding creates a perfect storm of destruction for your paved surfaces.
Weather conditions can cause your pavers to expand and contract. An influx of water that sits for a long period of time can damage your paver surfaces by weakening the cracks or chips already present. If the water is left to sit, it can cause your pavers to recede and become uneven. This settling and shifting can create dangerous tripping hazards and compromise the structural integrity of your entire hardscape.
The damage often occurs in layers. Excess water seeping under the pavers can erode the base, leading to uneven settling. Additionally, the hot weather causes the ground to expand and contract, resulting in cracks and gaps in the pavers. Inadequate drainage can cause water to accumulate around the pavers, exacerbating erosion and settling issues.
Immediate Post-Hurricane Assessment
After a hurricane passes, homeowners should conduct a thorough assessment of their paved areas. Look for signs of damage including:
- Sunken or uneven paver sections
- Cracks running through individual pavers
- Gaps between pavers that have widened
- Standing water that won’t drain
- Sand or base material that has washed away
- Pavers that rock or move when stepped on
Cracks and uneven surfaces can become tripping hazards; nobody wants that at their next garden party. More importantly, what appears to be minor surface damage often indicates more serious underlying issues that require professional attention.
The Restoration Process
Professional paver restoration involves a systematic approach to returning your hardscape to its pre-storm condition. As part of the restoration process, we assess the structure thoroughly to determine the best course of action. As soon as the stones have been removed and the old base materials have been compacted, the new top layer of the base material will be added and compacted with the new pavers, and the old pavers will be removed. In order to make sure all of the pavers are properly secured and structurally sound, we will re-grout the entire surface of the structure with quality polymeric sand so that all of the pavers are properly secured.
The restoration process typically includes water extraction and drying, base repair and re-compaction, individual paver replacement or realignment, joint sand replacement with polymeric sand, and protective sealing to prevent future damage.
Why Professional Restoration Matters
While pavers are so commonly used on Long Island, there used to be a shortage of companies that provided professional maintenance and restoration for hardscapes made of these materials. We started Paver Savers to answer the needs of Nassau and Suffolk County property owners and preserve the aesthetics and durability of their hardscapes. Not long after we launched our company, we established ourselves as one of the most trusted paver cleaning, sealing, and restoration contractors on Long Island.
Professional restoration ensures that underlying drainage issues are addressed, preventing future problems. Taking the time to get a paver sealing in Wesley Chapel, FL with a joint stabilizing sealer can help prevent sand loss which also helps to prevent your pavers from shifting. This principle applies equally to Suffolk County installations, where proper sealing and joint stabilization are crucial for long-term durability.
Choosing the Right Restoration Partner
When selecting a restoration company, experience with hurricane damage is essential. Paver Savers is a fully licensed and insured, locally owned and operated company that specializes in paver cleaning, sealing, and restoration. We’re passionate about providing our clients with the highest quality results at the fairest and most affordable prices. Our professionally trained and highly experienced technicians are ready to serve all of your hardscape cleaning, maintenance, and renovation needs.
For Suffolk County homeowners dealing with hurricane-damaged pavers, professional Paver Restoration Suffolk County, NY services offer the expertise needed to properly assess damage, address underlying issues, and restore your hardscape to its original beauty and functionality.
Prevention for Future Storms
While you can’t prevent hurricanes, you can take steps to minimize future damage. Regular maintenance, proper drainage, and professional sealing create a protective barrier against the elements. Sealcoating is another helpful way to protect your pavers from damage. This process adds a protective layer that shields them from water penetration, UV rays, and stains.
Hurricane damage to pavers is a serious concern for Suffolk County homeowners, but with proper restoration and preventive measures, your hardscapes can be returned to their original condition and better protected against future storms. The key is acting quickly after storm damage occurs and working with experienced professionals who understand both the challenges of hurricane damage and the specific needs of Long Island properties.