FAQs

FAQ

Whether you are into saving the environment or just saving money, the best thing about a brick driveway is that it is reusable. With asphalt and concrete the driveway has to be entirely ripped up, and new material have to be replaced and formed. In repairing a brick driveway we reuse the same bricks, and it still looks as good as new.
The length of time a brick driveway lasts really depends on what is underneath and what kind of base the original home builder installed.  If done properly I have seen brick driveways that have lasted 30+ years.  Underneath the bricks the base should contain a few inches of either bedding sand or limestone screenings (chips and dust) and at least 1 foot of gravel.  Sometimes under pressure, hurrying home builders may skimp out on that foot of gravel, which weakens the base and length of time it will last.  At the request of the customer we can look at adding more gravel to that base.  Every driveway is different so generally we tell customers they can expect their driveway to last about the same amount of time it has lasted until now plus a bit longer from our improvements.
The main difference between Brick Fix and other companies that do brick repair is that we actually specialize in brick repair.  Many other companies may offer to repair brick work, but they also offer other services such as lawn care, gardening, concrete, asphalt, and other general contracting.  With a general contractor you’ll get a general job, but as brick repair specialists- you get a company that's perfected its craft to ensure you receive a professional and timely job.
Our personal experience showcases this commitment to excellence. In April 2012, we received a call from a concerned homeowner whose previous contractor had abandoned the job halfway through, leaving the homeowner with a damaged driveway and no deposit. We were able to restore the driveway to its former glory, and even went on to complete a neighbor's driveway with the same level of precision and care. Trust us to deliver the best in brick repair services.
Brick pavers are “compressed” concrete and have on average an 8,500 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) rating. Asphalt is only 600-700 PSI, Standard Concert is around 2,500 PSI and very high-end stamped concrete is 4,000 PSI. Brick pavers are designed to last a lifetime and if installed properly will last much longer than concrete or asphalt.
When installed properly and with the use of Polymeric Joint Sand, you should not have problems with grass or moss growing up through your pavers. Regular cleaning with a broom or leaf blower to remove excess grass clippings or debris will keep your pavers clean and free of grass & weeds.
Polymeric Sand is fine sand bonded with polymer to create a semi-hard sand material that prohibits migration and also rooting of weeds or grass.
Sealing is recommended but not required. Sealing your patio will prohibit fading from the sun as well as any migration of joint sand. Most sealers also help prevent the growth of weeds and moss on pavers which will ensure that your driveway/patio look good for many years.
We recognize that tying up the use of a customer’s driveway can be inconvenient, so we take pride in being in and out as quickly as possible. On average a typical driveway will take 3 days from start to finish. However, timing can also be influenced by the size of the project and weather conditions. In the mean time, during the summer months the city allows cars to park on the street. Click here to schedule Overnight Parking in London
There are so many variables used to determine the cost to repair each project; the size, type of brick, current condition, location, and any desired add-ons. So it makes it difficult to say just how much it will cost to do your project. As a result we offer free estimates! Often times an estimator can make it out to assess the property that very same day. The more information you leave on the contact us page the easier it will be for us to contact you and set up an appointment.
The length of time a brick driveway lasts really depends on what is underneath and what kind of base the original home builder installed. If done properly I have seen brick driveways that have lasted 30+ years. Underneath the bricks the base should contain a few inches of either bedding sand or limestone screenings (chips and dust) and at least 1 foot of gravel. Sometimes under pressure, hurrying home builders may skimp out on that foot of gravel, which weakens the base and length of time it will last. At the request of the customer we can look at adding more gravel to that base. Every driveway is different so generally we tell customers they can expect their driveway to last about the same amount of time it has lasted until now plus a bit longer with our improvements.
This is determined by city by-laws so restrictions can change from city to city. On top of that, it seems like those city by-laws seem to change on a regular basis. So it’s important to check out your city website for the current restrictions and loopholes. Historically one of those loopholes has been that a paving stone walkway running along a driveway doesn’t count toward the width restrictions. With that being said it’s usually a safe bet if you stay within the limits of what your neighbours are doing and simply don’t go overboard.
The following can be found on the City of London On website as of April 2017:
“The maximum width of any residential driveway in the City of London is 50% of the lot frontage, to a maximum of 8.0m (26.3 feet), whichever is less. The driveway width shall be measured parallel to the street at the street line. No lot shall have more than two driveways for the first 30.0 metres. (98.7 feet) of street line. The minimum driveway width is 2.7m (8.8 feet).”

If you have a question that we haven’t answered above, please let us know on the contact us page