Frequently Asked Questions
- HOW LONG WILL WILLOW CREEK PAVERS LAST?
- WHAT MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED WITH WILLOW CREEK PAVERS?
- WHAT IS EFFLORESCENCE?
- WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE WILLOW CREEK PAVERS FOR A POOL OR SPA DECK?
- IS IT DIFFICULT TO REMOVE SNOW FROM WILLOW CREEK PAVER SURFACES?
- WHY DO WILLOW CREEK PAVERS OUTPERFORM OTHER PAVING PRODUCTS?
- HOW DO WILLOW CREEK PAVERS LOCK TOGETHER?
- ARE WILLOW CREEK PAVERS DURABLE ENOUGH FOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC?
HOW LONG WILL WILLOW CREEK PAVERS LAST?
Willow Creek pavers are manufactured under extreme pressure using high-strength concrete and machinery exclusively designed for paving stone production. Our paving stones are manufactured to exceed industry standards and are covered by a limited lifetime guarantee in residential installations. Contact Willow Creek Paving Stones for complete warranty information.
WHAT MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED WITH WILLOW CREEK PAVERS?
Properly installed, Willow Creek paving stones require no regular maintenance. For those who prefer a wet appearance, paver sealants may be periodically applied. For more information, download this Maintenance Guide from the Interlocking Concrete Paving Institute / Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association, which provides helpful tips to keep paving stone surfaces looking beautiful.
WHAT IS EFFLORESCENCE?
Efflorescence is a naturally occurring substance that appears as a white, powder-like deposit on the face of some concrete, stone and masonry products. It is caused by soluble salt deposits in either the construction material (bricks, concrete paving stones, mortar, etc.) or the backfill behind the material. Efflorescence often diminishes with time as the soluble salts naturally “sweat out” of the source. If the efflorescence does not wear off in an acceptable period of time, it can be removed by scrubbing with a dry, stiff-bristled brush, followed by flushing with clean water. There also are a number of cleaning products specifically formulated for use on concrete paving stones. Please consult your landscaping specialist to help determine the best way to handle any efflorescence that might appear on your concrete paving stone surface.
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE WILLOW CREEK PAVERS FOR A POOL OR SPA DECK?
Willow Creek paving stones are ideal for swimming pool decks because of their slightly textured surface, which increases slip resistance. Also, because paving stones are removable and reusable, repairs to utility or plumbing lines can be performed invisibly.
IS IT DIFFICULT TO REMOVE SNOW FROM WILLOW CREEK PAVER SURFACES?
Willow Creek paver surfaces can be shoveled or plowed with no more difficulty than poured-concrete or asphalt surfaces. Heat absorption characteristics of paving stones can actually help melt snow and ice. As with other concrete products, avoid using rock salt or calcium chloride to remove ice. Contact your landscaping specialist for a suitable deicing product. A thin dusting of sand is always the preferred method for creating a slip-resistant paving stone surface.
WHY DO WILLOW CREEK PAVERS OUTPERFORM OTHER PAVING PRODUCTS?
Beyond the aesthetic benefits, Willow Creek pavers are ideally suited to the freeze/thaw cycles of our Midwest climate. Joints between paving stones allow the surface to move without damage. Patterned and stamped concrete surfaces are merely slabs of concrete with embossed designs. They are susceptible to the same types of deterioration as poured concrete surfaces, such as cracking and spalling. With proper installation of Willow Creek pavers, you’ll have pavement that is solid, yet flexible. Another great advantage of our paving stone surface is that individual units can be seamlessly removed and replaced in the rare event of damage or underground work.
HOW DO WILLOW CREEK PAVERS LOCK TOGETHER?
Willow Creek pavers are installed on a compacted aggregate base topped with bedding sand. Joint sand is swept into joints and paving stones are pressed into place using a vibrating plate compactor. The combination of pavers, bedding sand, joint sand, and compaction causes them to interlock and creates a unified pavement system. Below-grade edge restraints are used to protect project edges.
ARE WILLOW CREEK PAVERS DURABLE ENOUGH FOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC?
Definitely! A Willow Creek Paving Stone driveway is not only beautiful, it’s durable. Many municipalities and airports use paving stones for their traffic areas. A 6-inch to 10-inch compacted aggregate base is recommended for light vehicular use, such as automobile and pickup truck traffic. (A 4-inch to 6-inch base is recommended for pedestrian-only traffic.)