Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:54 pm
We had 150 new, smooth paving slabs (600x600x40) laid last winter. These were laid on a bed of MOT and sharp sand with dry cement lightly sprinkled over the top of the sand. Within a matter of weeks, the pavers became badly stained and over time they have become pitted. Even after a long spell of dry sunny weather, most pavers still look as though they are retaining water. The installer and manufacturer insist the issue is efflorescence and that it may or may not sort itself out. Our problem is that the surface of the pavers is slippery. This has caused one fall and several near misses both in dry and wet weather. Following light rain we even saw a frog jump onto one slab and slide all the way down, only stopping when it reached the join. How can I make the paths safe? They continue to look a mess but that's much less of a concern than the safety issue.
Also, when a shoe is rubbed over the surface, it leaves very noticeable scratch marks which look as though the paver is wearing away. Could the diagnosis of efflorescence be incorrect and we actually have a problem with the pavers? They were chosen by the installation contractor as the nearest match to some existing slabs and safety wasn't discussed. We never thought that they would provide something which would be unsafe to use - most of the paths are on a slope. The old pavers are completely safe to walk on with no chalkiness or pitting to the surface.
Also, when a shoe is rubbed over the surface, it leaves very noticeable scratch marks which look as though the paver is wearing away. Could the diagnosis of efflorescence be incorrect and we actually have a problem with the pavers? They were chosen by the installation contractor as the nearest match to some existing slabs and safety wasn't discussed. We never thought that they would provide something which would be unsafe to use - most of the paths are on a slope. The old pavers are completely safe to walk on with no chalkiness or pitting to the surface.