Frequently Asked Questions

50-100 years

Pavers generally last 50-100 years or longer. As opposed to concrete surfaces, pavers can be easily repaired and replaced, if needed.

 For large scale projects like buildings, concrete should last up to 100 years if it's properly cared for. Concrete projects that experience more wear-and-tear like sidewalks and driveways have an expected lifespan of about half that—50 years. 

They absolutely can as long as the base is done correctly, which means that at least double of what would be used for a patio is used for a driveway. Proper compaction and base aggregate is key to the longevity, and we are happy to say that we are experts at this. 

Polymeric Sand is now used in between joints.  Polymeric sand is best described as outdoor grout. ... When the polymers dry and cure, the sand between the joints gets quite hard and it cements the pavers together. Weeds won't grow between the joints and the sand doesn't wash away. 

It's really up to you, though definitely recommended if maintaining the vibrant color they came with when new. In order to keep your pavers from fading, it is important to seal them. Even the toughest of pavers don't stand a chance against the sun, with concrete even fading over time because of the UV rays. Choosing to seal your pavers will keep your color consistent and un-faded. Please note that paving stones can't be sealed for 60 days after they have been installed. 

Every township, municipality and borough is different. Some require permits for certain projects while others do not. Chances are that your project does need a permit, however. . .  Michael Anthony Services can do this on your behalf. The only thing we will need from you is a property survey. 

All projects will be different in size, however assuming a 18'x20' patio which is approx. 360 square feet, this would typically take 2 days. Most walkways and smaller patios under 200 square feet can be accomplished in one day. Of course large projects can span 3 days or more, job length is also affected by designs and patterns which some can be more intricate than others, thus being more time consuming. 

Yes they are, it can range anywhere between 2 and 3 times more expensive depending on type of paving stone and design.

Paving stones are made from concrete, you can expect the same traction on a paving stone as you would expect on a sidewalk adjacent to the street.

Lumber built retaining walls have been around for ages, they can also look nice if they are built correctly and are painted or varnished. The downside of lumber is that there is maintenance involved if you want to keep it looking nice, such as repainting or varnishing every few years. Lumber has a tendency to rot, even the best pressure treated wood that is made to withstand ground water will eventually rot. On the other hand, retaining block is built from concrete and will last at least twice as long as pressure treated lumber. In our opinion it also looks much nicer, is much more durable, and can handle pressure washing to renew it every few years. Retaining block is now also offered in many colors to match whatever your décor or color scheme is. 

In the past, lumber built retaining walls were always the go to for those who needed a retaining wall, but didn't want to break the bank, this was due  to the fact that lumber was much cheaper. With today's very increased lumber pricing the gap in cost of materials with installation has made this an economically inefficient option after you considered the cost of maintaincence and the longevity decrease between the two, however, ultimately a lumber retaining wall will be a lower upfront cost with today's lumber pricing. 

Lumber retaining walls have an extreme maximum life expectancy of 50 years, but most will start to rot within 25 years or less, it is common for some boards to fail quicker than others and need spot replacement throughout their life. 

Block retaining walls have a maximum life expectancy of 100 years, with most lasting at least 50 years. 

Concrete will always be more expensive upfront than asphalt for a driveway or parking lot, however. . . . asphalt needs  maintenance every few years like sealing and patch work. However, in the long run concrete will be cheaper, has much less  maintenance and will stay looking nice much longer than asphalt will. 

You can expect an asphalt driveway to have a life expectancy of around 20 years, where concrete will last about 40-50 years. 

Unfortunately many paving stones have been installed incorrectly by DIY'ers and poor contractors, which gives many the impression that this is something that in time is a part of having them, which is simply not true. It all comes down to the base, if the material used for the base aggregate is correct and properly compacted, then your pavers will not sink or need relaying for decades if they ever do. If this does occur, the paving stones are not trash, they will simply be lifted, put to the side, the base aggregate adjusted and relayed for a second life. 

The vast majority of projects take 2 days assuming that something will need to be removed, whether it be existing concrete, paving stones or asphalt. Some smaller projects less than a few hundred square feet and those that don't need demolition and removal can take one day. 

Typically it takes 24 hours for concrete to cure enough to walk on unless it is very cold in which case it can take as long as 72 hours but usually not more than 48. 

Concrete will typically take 7 days to cure enough to support the weight of a vehicle, if the weather is unusually cold this can extend to 10 days. 

Yes you can, and it is quite simple provided you or someone else can be home. Wetting the concrete at least 5 times a day and up to 10 for the first 7 days will prevent moisture from inside the concrete to evaporate too quickly which will help prevent hair line fractures which in turn can become large fractures over time. This will also assist in the overall longevity of the concrete. 

Michael Anthony Services LLC offers a 2 year warranty on all projects unless otherwise stated for workmanship related failure. 

Yes we certainly can and have been doing so for many years. While it is not ideal to pour concrete in the winter due to the fact that it takes longer to setup (initial cure), there are now numerous tools that enable us to do so effectively which will not affect its appearance or long term longevity. The use of accelerants and concrete blankets are some of the tools and methods that assist in concrete pours during the winter.  

The short is answer is no. Typically when concrete fractures, this would call for demolish, remove and replace. Any form of "repairing cracks" is simple patch work, inevitably over time it will fail and will look unsightly until it does, hence it is not recommended and is most likely money poorly spent. 

Deicing agents will over time damage the surface of any concrete product, whether paving stones or poured concrete, no matter how strong it is, it will eventually chip. Due to this we recommend the least corrosive of all types of salt. . . . Calcium Chloride, and it should be used sparingly only as needed. If deicing agents are a necessity and it is expected that they will be used regularly throughout the winter if necessary, sealing either concrete or paving stones will greatly assist in preventing damage and is highly recommended for the longevity of your investment.