Sun City Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the advantages of sealing my pavers?

Sealers can offer several advantages: they help resist stains and may enhance the color Sealers, however, are topical products and must be reapplied regularly (generally every 2 to 3 years). Some sealers are specifically formulated to stabilize the joint sand to minimize erosion.

2. What can I do if my pavers are stained or damaged?
One of the advantages of pavers is that individual units can be removed and replaced in these situations. Remove the sand around the paver and then use two flat head screwdrivers to lift the paver out. Rocking the paver gently in a back-and-forth motion will facilitate removal.

3. Can I remove moss or mold from my pavers?
Try Clorox liquid bleach diluted in water (10 parts water to one part Clorox). Be careful not to get it on other plant material. Keep in mind that there is nothing that will keep it from growing back if it's in a shady, damp area. For a more permanent solution, you will need to correct the moisture and shade problems that are encouraging the moss or mold.

4. What is the whitish deposit I see on some paver installations?
You are probably referring to efflorescence, a natural and common occurrence in many concrete and clay brick products. Efflorescence is the result of naturally occurring mineral salts found in the materials used in the production of pavers or block and Low Country Pavers accepts no liability for its occurrence. When pavers become wet and absorb moisture the mineral salts are dissolved and are drawn to the surface of the paver with the moisture as it evaporates. This is not a product defect or harmful to the pavers and will usually weather away with time. If you don't want to wait for it to weather away, Techni-Seal offers an excellent cleaning product to remove it. Never use Muriatic Acid to remove efflorescence or clean pavers. It is too harsh and will damage the surface or the pavers. Scrubbing with a stiff brush is often necessary to help remove efflourescence.

5. How do I remove grease and oil stains from my pavers?
To safely remove grease or oil stains from concrete pavers use a product specifically designed to do just that. Sure Bond and Techni-Seal both make an excellent Dirt and Grease Cleaner available at Low Country Pavers in Hardeeville. Dawn dishwashing liquid has been found to be effective in removing oil stains. If you want to seal your pavers to help minimize future staining, we recommend sealers from SureBond. Before sealing your pavers you should do a general cleaning of the entire surface to remove any soils or surface efflorescence. A word of caution: make sure that the pavers are completely clean and dry before applying the sealer.

6. What are the advantages of Low Country Pavers?
LCPs are more uniform in thickness and in length and width dimensions, making installation faster and easier. Many natural stones also have inherent fractures, making them susceptible to cracking and spalling in freeze/thaw conditions.

7. My pavers have a white haze on them. What is it?
It is probably efflorescence. This occurs when the natural salts in the raw materials (including sand, cement, and stone) are drawn to the surface by moisture. Efflorescence is common to all concrete products, is completely natural and will disappear with time. There are cleaners available that are specifically formulated for cleaning concrete. Most of these contain acid and detergents, and we do not recommend that they be used . Clean pavers with warm water and a stiff nylon broom or brush. If a cleaning agent is required, try Simple Green. It is available at grocery and hardware stores.

8. Can pavers be installed on top of my existing concrete patio or walkway?
Yes, if the concrete is in good shape. Typically, a 30 mm paver is used for these applications and are installed over a thin bed of sand.

9. Am I permitted to make my sidewalk wider?
Yes. The typical sidewalk width in Sun City is 36 to 42 inches. The Modifications Standard allows sidewalks up to 56 inches with prior approval.

10. Can I use pavers on my driveway?
Yes. In July, 2009, Sun City approved pavers for driveways. 60 mm pavers are required in areas where there is vehicular traffic. The existing driveway must be removed and replaced with 6 to 8 inches of compacted bedding material before the pavers can be installed. You must secure approval from the Modifications Committee.

11. What information does the Modifications Committee require?
In addition to the standard information required on the form, the Modifications Committee also needs to know the paver color and pattern you plan to use. It also requires pictures of the existing areas being modified, and a detailed design drawing along with a copy of your plot map. An application fee of $25.00 usually applies. American Paving Design provide everything except the $25 check and plot map.

12. Will the Modifications Committee allow me to make the driveway wider?
Yes, in most cases it will allow the construction of a wider driveway. This can be done when a driveway is replaced or by adding “skirts” to one or both sides of the existing drive. Typically, driveways widths for a two-care garage may not exceed 20.5 feet. Most original driveways are between 16 and 17 feet wide. If the driveway is not being widend, the Modifications Office will typically allow flare outs at the end of the driveway up to 24 inches wide.

13. Does American Paving Design help with the CAM application process?
Actually, we do everything possible to make this as simple and easy as we can for you. You provide the plot map and the $25.00 check made out SCHHCA and we take care of the rest, including delivering it to the CAM Office. Of course we need your review of the application and your signature before submitting it.

14. Is assistance with the application available at the CAM office?
Yes. You will find Sue, Annie and Tonja to be very cooperative and helpful. The phone number for the Modifications office is 705-4047 or 705-4042.

15. How much lead time is required between application and approval?
Applications submitted before noon on Thursday will normally be considered the next Monday. If approved, your notice to proceed will be delivered to your lower mailbox on Monday afternoon or on Tuesday. If your application is denied, you will receive a letter to that effect with the reasons for the denial. We will assist you with appeals or resubmission of the application if you wish.

16. How long does it take to replace an existing driveway with a paver driveway?
Of course the weather and soil conditions play a big role in this but typically a driveway project with take two to three full days to complete.

17. What can I expect during the driveway construction process?
Prepare yourself for a lot of dust and noise. You will also have equipment and tools in proximity of your home and will likely have pallets of pavers temporarily stored in your driveway or on your lawn. Contractors are not permitted to leave equipment or materials on the street overnight. It will be several days before you can use your driveway. Be sure to get a street parking permit at the main gate. We suggest that you get it for an entire week. See the Sun City Customer Checklist for more information.

18. Are there any precautions after the driveway is installed?
We recommend that you not drive on the newly installed paver driveway for at least 24 hours and even longer if there has been a lot of rain and wet conditions.

19. What if we discover a problem or have a concern after the job is completed?
Good question. Just give us a call and we will respond as soon as possible. We are not happy unless you are happy. This is one of the advantages of having a resident Sun City Sales and Service representative who is accessible and responsive.

20. Is American Paving Design a certified installer?
APD is not only certified but is the only Platinum Certified Installer serving Sun City. APD is also a member in good standing with the International Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI).

21. Does American Paving Design do work outside of Sun City?
APD does work as far north as Charleston and as far south as Jacksonville but it concentrates its marketing focus on Jasper and Beaufort Counties. We specialize in both commercial and residential installations and have many projects in developments such as Belfair, Berkeley Hall, Colleton River, etc.

22. Do the pavers themselves come with a guarantee?
Yes. Low Country Pavers has a 25-year limited warranty on its concrete pavers and American Paving Design has a 5 year warranty on it installation.

23. Will Sun City permit multiple colors of pavers?
Yes, but like everything else, using more than one color requires CAM approval. American Paving has done a number of projects using multiple colors and will provide you with the information should you wish to examine them. It is not uncommon to use one color for the main body of the driveway, walkway, patio or porch, and a complimenting or contrasting color for the border.

24. Does American Paving Design provide references?
Of course. We have many happy and satisfied clients in Sun City and many of them have given us permission to use them as a reference. Just ask and we will provide the information.

 25. Why do Pavers make the ideal pavement?
Pavers are the ideal product for all environments. Proper installation of the product results in a pavement that is rigid, yet flexible. The joints between pavers allow the walkway, driveway, patio, etc. to move without cracking. In addition, they can be "unzipped" to allow for repairs or access to utilities. Unlike asphalt, pavers are virtually maintenance-free. By definition, concrete pavers have a minimum compressive strength of 8,000 psi (about 3 times stronger than regular poured concrete) and a maximum water absorption rate of 5%.

26. Why are they called interlocking concrete pavers?
It is the system that makes them interlocking concrete pavers, not necessarily the shape. When installed properly, the combination of the pavers, bedding sand, edge restraint and joint sand causes them to interlock, allowing them to work as a unified, flexible pavement.

27. Does the color go all the way through the paver?
Yes, pavers have pigment throughout.

28. Can Pavers be used for my driveway?
Absolutely! For residential driveways, 6 to 8” of compacted base material is recommended. A standard 60 mm thick paver can be used for light vehicular (cars and pickup trucks) applications.
 
29. How do pavers compare with patterned or stamped concrete?
Patterned concrete pavements are merely slabs of concrete that are embossed with a pattern. Therefore, they are prone to the same problems as poured concrete, namely cracking and spalling. Stamped concrete requires expansion joints every 10 feet or so, which are very distracting in some patterns. Also, unlike pavers, patterned concrete pavements don't allow access to underground utilities or the ability to make repairs. In many cases, decorated concrete coatings tend to degrade after several years. At virtually the same price per square foot installed, pavers are clearly a superior choice.

30. What are the advantages of sealing my pavers?
Sealers can offer a couple of advantages: a sealed driveway may make it easier to remove stains, mold, moss, and mildew and may enhance the color. Sealers, however, are topical products and must be reapplied regularly (generally every 2-3 years). Sealing does not extend the life or durability of the pavers. Sealants should not be applied for at least 3 months after installation.

31. What are the disadvantages of sealing my pavers?
Low Country Pavers does not recommend that sealers be used if Super Sand joint sand is used (although we have done it at the customer’s request). Sealing, therefore, could mean giving up the advantages of Super Sand. Also, in addition to the initial expense, you will probably have to reseal every two to three years creating a recurring maintenance expense.

32. How many approved colors are available to Sun City residents?
Currently there are 18 commonly used colors being used in Sun City. This is not to say that you could not apply to use another color provided you submit a sample with your CAM application. APD has installed custom-color projects in Sun City but these require CAM approval.

33. Is there a price difference between colors?
Yes. Typically, concrete pavers are manufactured using either a gray or white cement. The white cement is considerably more expensive but allows for lighter colors and more dramatic color variations. Selecting a premium color (white cement) usually adds 8% to 10% to the cost of the project. Custom colors are more expensive and a start up/make-ready charge also applies.

34. What decisions do we have to make in considering a paver project?
Once you have decided to proceed and selected the best contractor (American Paving Design) you will need to decide upon the design, color(s), the body pattern, the border pattern, and the style (cobble or plantation). So basically, just four main decisions. Other considerations include widening the driveway, curving the walkway, flaring the walkway at the entry, using tumbled pavers, etc.

35. What about landscaping and irrigation systems?
We are not professional landscapers or irrigation experts however we do handle routine relocation of sprinkler heads and shrubs. If your project requires more sophisticated work in these areas we recommend that you enlist experts. Clif George is a Sun City resident expert and is very reasonable. He can be reached at 705-5076.

36. If you relocate landscaping at our request and it subsequently dies, will you replace it?
Sorry, no guarantees with relocating landscaping. Enlist the help of a professional if this is a concern.

37. If you relocate sprinkler heads and they require adjustment will you do that?
Yep. In most cases we turn on the irrigation system and adjust the heads before leaving the worksite. If, however, you have a problem later, we will come back to assist you.

38. Is American Paving Design bonded and insured?
Yes and yes. We are licensed in both Jasper and Beaufort counties.
 
39. Will weeds grow between my pavers?
Weeds and grass result from seeds or spores blowing into, and lodging in, the joint sand. This can be minimized by using SuperSand when the pavers are installed or applying a joint stabilizing sealer. You can also use a pre-emergent granular weed killer (Preen) into the joints. If weeds do appear, a spot vegetation killer (such as Round-Up™) can be used and will not damage the pavers.

40. What can I do if my pavers are stained or damaged?
One of the advantages of pavers is that individual units can be removed and replaced in these situations. Remove the sand around the paver and then use two flat head screwdrivers to lift the paver out. Rocking the paver gently in a back-and-forth motion will facilitate removal.
 
41. I have an existing concrete walkway, patio, entry, that's in pretty good shape. Can I lay pavers over it?
Pavers, usually 30 mm thin pavers, can be laid on top of existing concrete walkways, entries and patios. A couple of issues must be addressed. First, the grade will be raised by about 1.2 inches. This is particularly critical if any doorways are involved. Second, if the existing concrete slab should raise or drop then the pavers will do the same. At American Paving Design we usually recommend the removal of the walkway and use full 60 mm pavers. It is common to install a paver overlay using thin pavers on entry porches, lanai floors, concrete patios, etc. Pavers on top of concrete slabs do not dry out as rapidly because moisture gets trapped between the slab and the pavers. This is not a problem but something one should be aware of.

42. Can I remove moss or mold from my pavers?
Try Clorox liquid bleach diluted in water (10 parts water to one part Clorox). Be careful not to get it on other plant material. Keep in mind that there is nothing that will keep it from growing back if it's in a shady, damp area. For a more permanent solution, you will need to correct the moisture and shade problems that are encouraging the moss or mold.

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