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The Best Way to Remove an Interlocking Paver Brick

pavers image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com

Interlocking paver brick is a recent innovation in patio block for walkways, driveways and other outdoor areas. It is the system of installation, more than the manufacture of the block, that makes it interlocking. The pavers are made much like any paver, with the addition of small vertical ridges on all edges of pavers. This ridge creates a space that is then filled with a special joint sand that holds the pavers together to provide a strong, lasting surface.

Plug in your air compressor, turn it on to allow the tank to charge and connect a hose with a blower nozzle. Put on your safety goggles. Use the air nozzle to blow the sand from the joints surrounding the bricks to be removed. Be careful to point the air nozzle to direct the sand away from your face.

Soak the paver bricks to be removed with a brick sponge soaked in warm water. This will lubricate the brick and remove particles of sand that are still caught in the gap.

Insert a stiff scraper into one narrow end gap and lever up the brick. Move the scraper to the gap at the opposite narrow end of the brick and pry up, working the brick up to the same height as the other side.

  • Plug in your air compressor, turn it on to allow the tank to charge and connect a hose with a blower nozzle.
  • Soak the paver bricks to be removed with a brick sponge soaked in warm water.

Work the brick up until one end is high enough to slip the end of a flat pry bar under it. Lever the end of the brick up above the level of the surrounding brick. Grab the brick by the narrow end and pull it out.

Replace damaged paver bricks with pavers in the same color and pattern. Flip stained bricks over and reuse them, to save on repairs. Stains typically do not affect both faces of the paver.

Tamp the new or turned brick back into the hole with the end of a long 4-by-4 wooden post, or use a soil tamper cushioned with a shop towel or other soft material. Refill the gap around the replaced brick with joint sand and tamp it down firmly with the tamper or post.

  • Work the brick up until one end is high enough to slip the end of a flat pry bar under it.
  • Refill the gap around the replaced brick with joint sand and tamp it down firmly with the tamper or post.

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