How to Remove Pavers: Step-by-Step Guide
Do yourself a favor—remove that paver
- Wire cutters
- Chisel (for broken pavers)
- Hammer (for broken pavers)
- Wire hangers
With proper care and maintenance, pavers can last 25 years or more—making them an excellent and versatile option for patios and walkways. However, over time, individual pavers may crack, shift, or degrade and need replacing. Fortunately, replacing a paver is a simple DIY project that can be completed in just a few hours, using items you likely already have at home. Read on to learn how to replace pavers and keep your patio looking its best.
Make a Paver Puller
Photo: Maryana Serdynska / iStock / Getty ImagesWhile you could buy a paver puller at a hardware store, you likely already have the materials necessary to make one yourself. Using wire cutters, cut two 8-inch pieces from a wire clothing hanger. With pliers, bend a 1-inch-long section 90 degrees on the ends of each cut piece of wire. Do the same on the other ends, with the bent section pointing away from the middle section—this should create two “handles” on your wire piece.
Loosen the Paver
Loosening the paver from its position will help you to lift it easily. Using a pry bar or flat shovel, gently disconnect the paver from the adjacent ones. Do this on all sides of the paver until there is a small gap.
Lift the Paver
Photo: Im Yeongsik / iStock / Getty ImagesSlide one end of the wire “handles” into the sand alongside the loosened paver. Twist the handles underneath the paver while holding the handles on the other end. Pull up with even strength on the handles to lift the paver away from its setting. If the paver doesn’t lift easily, gently work around the edges to loosen it further—do not attempt to force it out of its position.
Continue with Adjoining Pavers
If your pavers are set in rows, start working to remove other pavers row by row. If your pavers are set in a circular fashion, you should work inward-out.
Removing Damaged Pavers
If you need to remove cracked or otherwise damaged pavers, you should start by breaking them into smaller pieces—a chisel and hammer can help you do this. Once the paver is broken up, you should then remove the small pieces individually, being careful not to damage any adjacent pavers. Before replacing the broken paver with a new one, clean out any remaining debris.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If your goal is to remove and replace a paver, you can save some money on labor and tackle this project yourself—the cost for patio repair, including paver replacement, can be $35 per hour, not including supplies and the cost of the new paver.
That said, a local concrete patio company can help check your patio for any structural damage that might be contributing to cracked or broken pavers, and ensure that the placement of a new paver is done to guarantee stability and longevity.
If you wish to break up a cracked or broken paver for removal, you can use a hammer or mallet and a chisel to fragment the paver. As you’re working, be careful not to disturb surrounding pavers; the key is to work slowly and steadily and remove the broken pieces gently. You should also wear a mask and goggles to ensure that no dust gets into your eyes, nose, or mouth as you work.
The cost to install a paver patio is $3,800 on average for a 280-square-foot patio. That said, many factors will affect the final price, including patio size, paver material, and add-ons, such as lighting features. Expect to pay between $8 and $50 per square foot to install your paver patio.
The lifespan of pavers varies based on many factors. Material is the key component, with concrete, stone, and brick pavers lasting up to 100 years, while clay pavers usually only last around 25 years. To maximize your pavers’ lifespan, you should keep your paver patio or walkway clean, add sealant every few years, and keep the joints sealed with polymeric sand as needed.
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