Originally posted in June of 2022, updated in May of 2026.
A paver patio, walkway, or driveway can act as a beautiful statement piece outside your home. But when paver stones are damaged or begin to look worn out, they lose their luster.
Paver stones are highly durable and can handle a lot of wear and tear … but they don’t last forever. Once your pavers start to show their age, it’s time to think about whether to repair or replace them. Sometimes it makes sense to swap out a damaged paver here and there, but if you have a more extensive area of damage, a full replacement may be necessary.
Keep an eye out for these eight signs you may need a paver replacement
1.) Cracked or Chipped Pavers
Visible cracks or chips are often an early sign your pavers need to be replaced. Pavers are incredibly sturdy, but given the right circumstances, they can crack or chip.
For instance, dropping a heavy object on them could chip or break the stone. Alternatively, water can seep into small cracks, build up under the pavers, and cause more damage. When that water freezes in winter, it will expand, deepening the cracks and making them more noticeable.
Once enough of your pavers are damaged, your patio or driveway will start to look worn out.
2.) Old or Worn-Out Pavers
If your pavers are dull-looking, worn out, stained, or discolored, the only remedy is to replace them. If you aren’t bothered by the appearance of old-looking pavers, you can certainly hold off on replacing them, as they don’t necessarily pose a safety risk.
But if you begin to notice signs of deterioration or you simply want to improve the look of your patio or driveway, you’ll need to replace your pavers.
3.) Stained Pavers
While pavers can get weather-beaten and darken over time, keep an eye out for stains that look like a white, chalky haze. This is called efflorescence. Common in areas with high humidity, efflorescence is a sign of excess moisture pulling minerals up from the soil.
In addition, dark, oily stains can be another red flag. These can be from organic matter, like nearby trees, or vehicle fluids, in the case of a driveway.
In both cases, these types of stains aren’t just unattractive. Over time, they can break down the surface of your pavers and they’ll need to be replaced.
4.) Missing Pavers
Missing pavers aren’t only a dark spot on your otherwise beautiful patio — they can pose a tripping hazard. If you have kids running around or elderly family members visiting, you could end up with some not-so-fun injuries on your hands.
If your patio, walkway, or driveway is only missing a few pavers here and there, you can simply place new ones into those spots. But if larger areas are missing, you will need a full paver replacement.
5.) Uneven Surface
Even if the ground is carefully leveled before your pavers are installed, it can shift over time — especially in places like Minnesota, where we experience freeze-thaw cycles throughout the winter. This causes pavers to become uneven, creating a tripping hazard.
You’ll need to remove the pavers to re-level the ground, so depending on the extent of the problem, it may make more sense to replace the entire area than just a few pavers.
Additionally, you will need to fix the underlying problem that caused the ground to become uneven before replacing your pavers. Otherwise you’ll end up doing the whole project over again much sooner than you’d like.
6.) Shifting or Separating Pavers
Similarly, if your pavers start to move away from one another or wide gaps appear between them, this can be another sign that the base has shifted or the joint sand has worn away.
This is most often seen along the edges of a driveway, walkway, or patio, where moisture can seep in from bordering grassy areas or garden beds. And once the outer edge of your patio or driveway starts to shift, it won’t be long before the rest of the pavers follow suit.
7.) Weeds or Moss Between Pavers
As joint sand erodes and pavers shift, you’ll often see weeds or moss growing up in the gaps. This may seem like an easy fix — just pull the weeds, right? However, this doesn’t address the root issue.
Weed or moss growth can indicate excess moisture retention caused by drainage problems. What’s more, the weeds and moss can hold onto water, causing more damage during freeze-thaw cycles.
The best course of action here is to replace your patio or driveway so you can rebuild the base layer beneath the pavers and correct the drainage issue.5.) Paver Surface Holds Water
8.) Paver Surface Holds Water
Paver patios, walkways, or driveways are designed with a slight slope to allow water to drain off of the stones. If you notice standing water on your patio or other paver-covered surface, it likely means the ground beneath the pavers has sunk.
Standing water can cause damage to the pavers — or even the foundation of your home, if the area is close to your house. To fix the problem, you’ll need to remove the pavers, re-level the sunken areas, and replace the pavers.
Rely on McDonough Landscaping for Your Next Paver Replacement
Keep a lookout for these signs you may need a paver replacement, and give us a call when it’s time to act.
When you work with McDonough Landscaping, we’ll use only the best quality materials to build your paver patio, walkway, or driveway. We specialize in interlocking pavers, but are also experienced with natural stone, block, brick, loose materials, and tile. No matter the material you choose, our certified installers will construct a surface that lasts.
Whether you want to enhance your outdoor space with a new patio, walkway, or driveway, or have existing pavers repaired to restore the beauty of your space, the McDonough team is here to help. Contact us to get started.
