What to Do About Cracked and Failing Patio Pavers

Cracked, sunken, or uneven pavers can turn a once-beautiful patio into an eyesore—or worse, a safety hazard. If you’re dealing with deteriorating pavers in your Hamilton-area yard, the good news is you’re not alone—and the problem is fixable.

At Square Leaf Landscaping, we help homeowners throughout Southern Ontario diagnose and repair failing patios with long-lasting, professional solutions. In this post, we’ll explain why patio pavers crack, how to tell if the damage is cosmetic or structural, and what you can do to fix it.

Common Reasons Patio Pavers Crack or Shift

While interlocking patio pavers are designed to withstand years of use and weather exposure, issues beneath the surface can eventually lead to visible damage. At Square Leaf Landscaping, we’ve repaired countless patios across Hamilton, Burlington, and the surrounding areas—often due to preventable construction or drainage issues. Understanding the root cause of paver failure is the first step toward solving it effectively and permanently.

Here are the most common reasons patio pavers crack, sink, or become uneven:

Improper Base Preparation

The most frequent cause of patio failure is a poorly constructed base. The base layer beneath your pavers must be deep enough—typically 6 to 12 inches depending on soil conditions—and thoroughly compacted to prevent settling. If the base was:

• • Too shallow
  • Inadequately compacted
  • Constructed with low-quality or improper materials

…it won’t hold up against years of weight, weather, and movement. This often results in sunken areas, heaving, or loose pavers that become dangerous over time.

Poor Drainage

A well-built patio should shed water effectively. If it doesn’t, moisture will collect under the surface, leading to erosion or frost damage. Common signs of drainage problems include:

• • Water pooling after rain
  • Moss or algae growth between pavers
  • Soil erosion along the edges

Without proper drainage systems like swales, French drains, or catch basins, water will compromise the integrity of the patio’s foundation.

Freeze-Thaw Cycles

In Ontario’s climate, freeze-thaw cycles are a major culprit. Water that seeps beneath your patio can freeze during cold months, expand, and push the pavers upward. When it thaws, the pavers may settle unevenly. Over time, this constant expansion and contraction leads to:

• • Cracked pavers
  • Uneven surfaces
  • Gaps in the joints

Using the right base materials—such as clear stone and HPB (high-performance bedding)—and including proper edge restraints helps minimize this damage.

Tree Roots and Ground Movement

Mature trees planted too close to a patio can wreak havoc on your hardscaping. As roots expand, they lift or displace nearby pavers. Likewise, if the ground naturally shifts due to slope, soil erosion, or lack of support, pavers will lose alignment. We often see these issues in older neighborhoods like Dundas or Ancaster where mature landscaping surrounds aging patios.

To prevent this, we often recommend:

• • Installing retaining walls to stabilize slopes
  • Using root barriers
  • Avoiding tree planting too close to hardscapes

Heavy Loads or Improper Use

Not all pavers are created equal—some are intended for pedestrian use only. Placing heavy planters, hot tubs, or even driving vehicles on pavers rated for light use can cause:

• • Cracking under pressure
  • Base compression and settling
  • Sudden or progressive surface failure

At Square Leaf Landscaping, we always select paver styles and base structures based on how the space will be used. For driveways or high-load areas, we use pavers and aggregates engineered for that purpose.

Identifying which of these issues is affecting your patio will determine the best course of action—whether it’s a targeted repair, a complete rebuild, or drainage upgrades to protect your investment.

Is It Worth Repairing, or Should You Replace?

If your patio is showing signs of age or damage, it’s important to weigh the cost and benefits of repairing versus replacing. While a full patio rebuild can offer long-term reliability and improved aesthetics, many Hamilton-area homeowners are surprised to learn that targeted repairs can restore both function and appearance—at a fraction of the cost.

When Repairs Are Enough

Not every issue calls for starting from scratch. In fact, minor wear and tear is common and often easily addressed. A professional inspection can determine if your patio is structurally sound and simply needs a tune-up.

Repairs may be suitable when you’re dealing with:

• • A few cracked or chipped pavers in otherwise stable areas
  • Minor frost heaving or slight dips caused by seasonal expansion
  • Discolouration, staining, or moss growth that affects curb appeal
  • Weeds emerging from joints due to failing polymeric sand

In these situations, Square Leaf Landscaping can:

• • Replace damaged pavers with matching materials
  • Lift and re-level sunken areas
  • Reapply polymeric jointing sand to stabilize the surface
  • Clean and seal the patio to restore its original colour and prevent future buildup

These light repairs can often extend the life of your patio for several more years—especially when paired with improved drainage or lawn grading.

When Full Replacement Makes Sense

If your patio has larger issues rooted in poor construction or outdated design, it may be more cost-effective and practical to rebuild from the ground up.

Replacement is often the best choice if:

• • There is widespread paver movement or shifting across large areas
  • The base was poorly constructed, leading to persistent instability
  • There are chronic drainage problems, like water pooling after rain
  • The layout is outdated, awkward, or no longer fits your outdoor needs

In these cases, Square Leaf Landscaping offers complete paver patio construction services. We start with:

• • A properly compacted base using high-performance bedding
  • Drainage solutions like French drains or regrading if needed
  • Durable, stylish interlocking pavers from leading manufacturers
  • Optional upgrades such as lighting, garden walls, or built-in seating

Many of our clients in Ancaster, Oakville, and Stoney Creek choose to upgrade their patio design during replacement to better suit entertaining, cooking, or lounging outdoors. Whether you’re adding a pergola, expanding your layout, or tying it into new landscaping features, we can help you create a patio that’s beautiful, functional, and built to last.

How We Fix Cracked and Failing Patios

At Square Leaf Landscaping, we don’t take shortcuts. Our repair or rebuild approach depends on what we find during the inspection—but here’s what you can typically expect:

For patio paver repairs:

• • Carefully remove and salvage existing pavers
  • Excavate and recompact any areas where the base has failed
  • Add new bedding sand and relevel the surface
  • Reset pavers in the original pattern
  • Reapply polymeric joint sand and compact for stability
  • Optionally pressure wash and seal the surface for a renewed finish

For full patio replacements:

• • Complete removal of all pavers, base materials, and edge restraints
  • Installation of a new, properly graded and compacted gravel base
  • Laying of new pavers with precise spacing and pattern alignment
  • Application of polymeric joint sand to prevent weeds and shifting
  • Additions like retaining walls, steps, or landscape lighting, if desired

Our goal is not just to fix the problem—but to ensure your patio performs beautifully for years to come, regardless of Hamilton’s climate.

How to Prevent Paver Problems in the Future

Whether you’re repairing or replacing your patio, the right construction techniques make all the difference. Here are a few tips for long-term patio success:

• • Always start with a properly compacted gravel base, at least 6" deep
  • Make sure the patio slopes slightly away from the home for drainage
  • Use high-quality edge restraints to keep the perimeter in place
  • Choose polymeric sand for joints—it hardens to prevent weed growth and shifting
  • If drainage is a concern, consider adding French drains or dry creek beds

These practices are standard in every patio project completed by Square Leaf Landscaping.

Proudly Serving Hamilton and Surrounding Areas

Square Leaf Landscaping provides patio repair, replacement, and installation services across:

• • Hamilton
  • Ancaster
  • Burlington
  • Dundas
  • Waterdown
  • Aldershot
  • Grimsby
  • Binbrook
  • Oakville
  • Stoney Creek

If you're outside this area, contact us—we may still be able to help.

Ready to Restore Your Patio?

Let’s bring your patio back to life—or build something better.

If you're dealing with cracked, sunken, or outdated patio pavers, don’t wait for the damage to get worse. Contact Square Leaf Landscaping today to schedule a consultation or request a free estimate. We’ll evaluate your space and recommend the best course of action—whether that means a professional repair or a complete patio redesign.

With the right foundation, your patio should last for decades. Let us help you get there.