Releveling Interlock Patio Stones

Here at Lakeshore Home Maintenance, we are often asked if we can fix the dips and divots in peoples interlock patios.  This is a very common occurance, when that perfectly smooth, flat and level patio winds up with sinkhole in the middle, or at the edges of a pool. 

The answer is that we absolutely provide this service, and do a lot of it in the early summer, after the rains of spring have dried up and the ground has settled after the winter. 

Interlock Patio needing releveling in Oakville

Interlock Patio needing releveling in Oakville

This client in Oakville came to us with her problem.  An area approximately 15 square feet had sunk in her interlock patio, causing the water to pool in there after rain and stay.  Discolouration of the stones followed and it was not the beautiful patio they used to have.  We removed the affected area row by row, spreading out far enough so that we could bring up to the proper level.  For this particular project we went through about 5 large bags of limestone screening to bring the whole area up to level.  This is a shot of the job partway through..

Releveling Interlock in Oakville

Releveling Interlock in Oakville

Notice how badly off level the stones were!

Job all done, patio level and discoloration gone
Job all done, patio level and discoloration gone

  And the end result.  My only regret is that I did not take a picture of this before with the 2×4 for comparison, but hopefully the midway picture gives you an idea.

If you are thinking of taking this task on yourself, you will require the following tools:

Limestone Screening, Level, Small mallet or hammer and a block of wood (for stubborn stones that need a LITTLE coaxing – too much and you could crack one).  Slotted screwdrivers come in handy to take out the first few stones, remember to gently coax them out, depending on how tightly together your stones are, some have a fairly large space between them and some, like above, are right tight and close together.
One trick that we use is to take pictures before so that we can see where the stones are, and with a fairly random and complex pattern like the one above, we are glad that we did.  Getting everything to fit into the exact same spot is not always as easy as it sounds.  Patience is king.
Many homes in the Halton area, Oakville, Burlington, Milton and South Mississauga have interlock walkways and patios as part of their outdoor living space.  We can make sure that these areas always look their best.  Give us a call at 289-242-8439 and let us take care of this part of your “to-do” list.