Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the FAQ section! Here, we’ve gathered answers to some of the most common questions you may have about our products, installation process, and maintenance tips. Whether you’re looking to start a new project, need guidance on selecting the right stones, or want to know how to care for your existing installation, this FAQ provides quick and helpful insights. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, feel free to reach out to our team for personalized support.
As the Manufacturer we produce pavers, slabs, and garden walls that meet or exceed all applicable CSA or ASTM specifications. These products are available through our extensive network of Independent Dealers. Their contact information is listed on our website www.newstonegroup.ca. Please contact them for pricing and delivery information.
Pavers are crafted to be versatile, suitable for a wide range of applications, including but not limited to patios and roads. The determining factors for their appropriateness in different settings lie in the specific thickness and aspect ratio of the chosen paver.
These slabs are customarily engineered for non-vehicular spaces, such as patios, walkways, or plazas. Installation methods vary, with slabs being placed either on an aggregate base or supported by pedestals, depending on the specific application requirements.
There are many qualified contractors available in our region, typically a good resource for recommending the right contractor(s) is the local dealer. They will be able to match up your project with the right contractor based on scope and timing.
The Concrete Masonry and Hardscapes Association (CMHA) www.masonryandhardscapes.org is the trade association representing the segmental concrete pavement industry in Canada and the United States. Excellent resource for technical specifications and education, including tech spec 5, which dealing with cleaning and sealing your pavers and slabs, is available at: https://www.masonryandhardscapes.org/resource/pav-tec-005-22.
Sealing is essential to protect against stains from organic materials, food, other contaminents, and vehicular activities. It not only preserves the appearance but also guards against long-term damage, maintaining both aesthetics and structural integrity.
Weeds occur when there are seed pods blown in from adjacent properties that fall into the joints and germinate. Polymeric sand is recommended as a best practice tool as Polymeric sand is designed to resist seed pods and complete through compaction a superior interlock. When installing Polymeric sand please read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions, this will aid you in accomplishing a successful install and avoiding Polymeric sand haze.
When installing pavers and slabs it is highly recommended to pull from 3 – 5 pallets at a time to avoid the striping effect in the photo below. The variation in tone is helpful in increasing the diversity of the visual experience but is only effective when they are properly dissipated throughout. The same is true for the solitary colours. Read this article for more information.
After several weeks or months, you might notice a white haze emerging on your paver surface, a phenomenon known as efflorescence. It can manifest randomly or in specific areas, with a more noticeable effect on dark-coloured pavers. This white haze may initially give the impression of fading colours, but when wet, it disappears, revealing enhanced paver colours. However, the white haze reappears as the pavers dry.
Efflorescence is a completely natural occurrence that resolves over time. There’s no need for concern about damage or defects in your pavers; rather, it’s a natural process common to all cement-based and many other paving products. Given time and exposure to the elements, efflorescence typically corrects itself.
All concrete products, including pavers, contain cement that produces lime or water-soluble calcium oxide. Lime may also be present in bedding sand, aggregate base materials, or soil. Despite their solid and dense nature, concrete pavers have microscopic capillaries running from the interior to the surface. Moisture from various sources, such as rain, sprinkler systems, poor drainage, or dew, infiltrates these capillaries.
Calcium oxide within the paver reacts with the water in the capillaries, forming calcium hydroxide. This compound rises to the surface, reacts with airborne carbon dioxide, and creates a white haze of calcium carbonate. When surface moisture evaporates, the efflorescence becomes visible.
While most paver producers incorporate chemical additives to reduce efflorescence likelihood, complete elimination is challenging due to its natural occurrence in hardened concrete. Efflorescence ceases when no more calcium hydroxide is available to migrate to the surface.
Chemical cleaners can remove surface efflorescence, enhancing the natural beauty of your concrete paver project. Consult your paver supplier for suitable cleaners.
Efflorescence stops when the supply of calcium hydroxide is depleted. In areas with frequent rain and sun, it may cease quickly, while drier climates might prolong the process. Generally, efflorescence stops developing in about 18 to 24 months. For more information, please read this article.
Efflorescence will naturally disappear over time as rainwater washes it away. Urban areas with acidic rainfall may see faster removal than rural areas due to various contributing factors.
Efflorescence can be cleaned with commercially available cleaners designed for concrete pavers. Prompt cleaning after its appearance is crucial, and it may need to be repeated until the efflorescence stops. Exercise caution with cleaners containing acids and detergents, following label directions and environmental regulations. Conduct a small test before applying cleaners to the entire area, ensuring the pavers are dry and free from efflorescence before applying sealers.
In the realm of hardscape concrete pavers, it’s quite common to encounter variations in tone. The intricate process of curing is essentially completed as these pavers are exposed to the elements, including the nurturing touch of rain and the radiant embrace of the sun. This exposure not only adds to the overall durability of the concrete but also plays a pivotal role in harmonizing the colour tones.
Furthermore, the journey to a seamless appearance continues post-installation. After these pavers undergo the meticulous steps of sanding and compacting, a transformation unfolds. Over a brief span of time, the pavers gracefully evolve, seamlessly evening out any initial discrepancies in colour. The result is not just a completed project but a testament to the dynamic interplay between craftsmanship and the natural elements, creating a hardscape that embodies both resilience and aesthetic appeal.