FAQ

Find quick and direct answers to frequently asked questions.

General

Why should I choose Santerra Stonecraft Products?

Here at Santerra Stonecraft, we develop innovative, durable and cutting edge products. We are commited to constantly evolving and adapting our products to uphold and surpass our current standards.

Where can I purchase Santerra Stonecraft products?

Santerra has many distributors throughout Canada and the United States. You can find a dealer location near you buy searching our list of dealers in our Find a Dealer section of our website.

Where can I get a Santerra Stonecraft product catalogue?

Our product catalogues can be downloaded directly from our wbesite. You can locate them under our resources category. You can also obtain a phycial copy at any of our local dealers.

What is the warranty that is offered on Santerra Stonecraft products?

Santerra Stonecraft offers a lifetime warranty on the structural integrity of their concrete masonry and landscape products as long as all conditions stated within our full waranty are complied with. The warranty description in its entiriety is listed under our resources section of our website.

Hardscaping Frequently Used Terms

Hardscaping Frequently Used Terms

Hardscape

Is a term that applies to any solid surface material that is used in outdoor areas such as brick, cement, pavers, stone, etc. (Softscaping would refer to landscaping or softer materials in outdoor areas).

Base Material (Screenings)

One of the most commonly used terms in the hardscaping industry, because it provides the foundation. It is what lies beneath your pavers to help to keep them sturdy and in place. It is made up of a gravel base and a layer of sand or tiny stone chips. The correct materials and precisely calculated amounts help increase the longevity of your pavers, and the success of your install.

Border

Pavers that are installed in a fashion that they surround the outer edge of your installation or landscaping.

Edging

A structural support that is installed around the perimeter of your patio to aid in preventing your pavers from shifting. This support is secured with long metal spikes to hold your pavers in place. In wall systems or pillars, glue is the structural support securing your blocks together.

Efflorescence

A whitish film that can be found on the surface of paving stones. It arises from exposures to naturally occurring salts in both the base materials (screenings) and from the aggregates that are used to manufacture the paving stones. While it can be an eye sore, it not only fades with time, but there are measures that can be taken to remove it safely.

Garden Walls

These are not load bearing or structural walls, meaning they don’t hold up a structure such as an embankment. They are typically less that two feet high and are designed for purely aesthetic reasons. Ex. A Patio or a garden.

Retaining Walls

Literally is a wall that is holding up a structure. Typically used as a structural or supportive wall to prevent earth from shifting through erosion.

Seat Wall

Typically a height under two feet tall and used to provide alternative and additional seating to the regular patio furniture. Places you could build seat walls include: around a fire pit or water feature, on a small space patio, near a flower bed or raised garden.

Grading

Simply means to level out the land. Proper grading will assist with drainage, help to improve the aesthetics of your pavers once they have been laid, and strengthen the base for your patio or wall systems.

Inlay

Is the paver laying pattern or design that is placed within a larger paved area.

Polymeric Sand

Is the sand that is used to fill the joints between the pavers. Once it has been applied, it is activated with water and creates a tight bond to secure your pavers and aid in preventing weed growth.

Open Graded- Base

A system underneath a paver driveway that allows rainwater and other water to flow through it and return to the ground rather than overflowing storm sewers. It can also help to prevent lifting of paver after weather conditions change from freezing to thawing.

Paver

Concrete paving stones, tile, brick or brick like piece of concrete. These concrete pavers are used in outdoor projects to create decks, driveways, walkways, patios and more.

Permeable

These products allow water and other liquids to flow freely through it.

Maintenance

What is the best method for shoveling my pavers without causing any damage?

The safest method of clearing snow off of paved surfaces would be to use a plastic shovel when manually removing, or plastic blade protectors if you are using a snow plow. Metal blades cause damage to the surface of your pavers and alter their appearance.

What is Construction Residue and how does it affect the surface of my pavers?

Construction residue is the direct result of cutting concrete with a saw. The dust created from cutting the concrete pavers can land on the surface of the paver and leave a stain. To protect the original surface and texture of your pavers, the paver should be cleaned as soon as the residue lands on its surface and before the residue dries.

* Santerra Stonecraft does not control construction residue and is not responsible for any claims in relation to this phenomenon.

What is efflorescence?

Efflorescence is a common and natural occuring whitish film that can be found on the surface of paving stones. It arises from exposure to naturally occuring salts in both the base materials (screenings) and from the aggregates that are used to manufacture the paving stones. While it can be an eye sore, it not only naturally fades with time, but there are measures that can be taken to remove it safely. Since it can take up to three years for the efflorescence to naturally fade, some people prefer a speedier remedy. Efflorescence can be treated with specialized cleaners that are available at all our dealer locations.

What is Polymeric Haze?

Polymeric haze is the result of not properly removing the polymeric sand from the surface of the pavers during the installation process. This should fade naturally over time and in no shape or form will compromise the quality, durability, or value of your concrete pavers. It is possible to remove the haze from the affected areas with proper cleaning products. Please consult your installer to evaluate and discuss your options.

*Santerra Stonecraft has no control over this phenomenon and is not responsible for any claims in relation to said phenomenon.

Is it possible for weeds to grow between pavers?

Yes, it is possible for weeds to grow in the jointing sand between your interlocking pavers. Here are some tips to prevent this from occuring.

Preventing Weed Growth in Pavers

Weeds seem likes most inevitable backyard headache, but there are some measures to prevent them from rooting in between your pavers to begin with.

1. Properly installed pavers are installed into a tightly packed foundation of sand and screenings; weeds can be deterred.

2. Fill the joints between your paving stones with polymeric sand. This forms a protective barrier to help prevent weed growth.

3. Allot for proper sloping in a direction that flows away from your house. This will deter stagnant rainwater and reduce weed and moss growth on and between your pavers.

4. Routine sweeping of your pavers helps to lessen the chances of seeds from settling in the sand between your pavers and growing.

How do I remove weeds from in between my pavers?

Removing Weed Growth in Pavers

Are Weeds already taking root in your pavers?

Here are some quick tips for removal:

Remove large weeds from between the paving stones by hand, taking care to ensure you have gotten the entire root.

Using a pressure washer, remove the current polymeric sand from between your pavers. This also adds in removing some of the roots lefts behind. Please ensure that your pressure washer is on a low power setting so there is no damage to the paving stones. Water should be applied at a 30 degree angle, 12 inches away from the paver surface.

Some of the following DIY home based solutions can kill existing weeds and even prevent the growth of new weeds.

Create a mixture of 80% water and 20% dish soap and apply it to the entire surface of your patio.
Apply White Vinegar to the surface of your patio
Apply boiling water to the surface of your patio.

Finally, allow your paving stones to fully dry before refilling the joint with polymeric sand.

How do I remove moss from between my pavers?

Moss is quick to develop in the shaded areas of your hardscaping that remains moist and wet longer than other areas after exposure to precipitation. For a gentle removal, it is recommended to first apply a solution of 20% dish soap and 80% water to the problem areas. Allow this solution to sit on the areas for 10-15 minutes. Lastly, you may pressure wash those areas clean to remove the moss buildup. Take care to use your pressure washer only on a low setting. Ensure that you always keep the nozzle at a thiry degree angle and a foot away from the surface. For safety, use the nozzle on the fanned setting when power washing. These steps ensure that no damage is done to the surface of your pavers and that you do not remove your jointing sand in the process of removing the moss.

Where do the weeds come from?

The weeds don't actually originate from beneath your pavers. The weeds form from seeds that have blown in from neighbouring properites and fall within the joints of your hardscaping and germinate. Your best defense against weeds is the apply Polymeric sand between your pavers as needed. Another tip to prevent weed growth is to avoid placing any sort of plastic underneath your pavers during the application stage. This plastic creates wetness and moisture that the weeds thrive off and grow faster.

What are your pointers for power washing my pavers?

Take care to use your pressure washer only on a low setting. Ensure that you always keep the nozzle at a thiry degree angle and a foot away from the surface. For safety, use the nozzle on the fanned setting when power washing. These steps ensure that no damage is done to the surface of your pavers and that you do not remove your jointing sand in the process of removing the moss. If jointing sand does wash out in the process, you may need to sweep in some new jointing sand and wait the 30 days for it to harden and settle before any cleaning or sealing can take place again.

What are the preferred products to clean my pavers with?

All Santerra Stonecraft dealers carry both generalized and specialized cleaning products for your paver needs. Specialized cleaners include ones designed for oil removal, grease removal, efflorescence and more. Many customers also simply use dish soap and water. Be sure not to use a wire brush to scrub clean your pavers as pieces of the wire can become dislodged and create rust on your paving stones. Remember to be gentle with the sand. Please visit the maintenance section on pointers for power washing your pavers to gather information for further cleaning tips.

What can I use for de-icing my pavers?

When applying de-icing salts to your pavers we recommend the following: Caution should be used when applying any de-icing chemicals and always avoid excessive use. Calcium based products or rock salt (sodium chloride) are both safe as de-icing chemicals. We recommend that you avoid using magnesium based products as they are very aggressive de-icing products that cause damage to the surface.

Installation

What type of gravel is used as a base for hardscaping?

Base material is usually comprised of locally approved road base gravel. Depending on your type of installation, the thickness of the base material needed may vary. Typically, you need a 6" thick base for a patio and/or walkway, and a 10-12" thick base for a driveway. Once you are completed compacting down your base gravel layer, you will need to apply a 1" thick layer of course sand down prior to placing and setting your desired paving system.

Can pavers be installed over existing concrete areas?

Depending on the consition of your existing concrete, paver installation may be a possibility. In order for the existing concrete to provide a stable base, it needs to be in excellent consition with no cracks or deterioration. Moreover, your concrete pad must slope away from any existing structures to ensure proper drainage occurs. There needs to be a minimum of a 1" fall per 8 feet of run. In conjuction with those precautions, you need to create a 1" drainage layer of bedding sand before you lay your pavers.

What can I use to protect my paver surface when tamping?

A protective pad can be bolted to the bottom of your tamper to provide a protective surface between your tamper and the pavers during the tamping process. This ensures the protection of your paver surfaces.

Why should I alternate stones from various skids during the installation process?

When beginning to install your hardscaping project, be sure to check all skids to ensure that the items purchased for the project all have the same lot number marked on them. This ensures that the colour dispersion within the skids is consistent. When installing the pavers, it is important to alternate using pavers from each of your skids to create an even distribution of colour in your final product.

Do wall installations over three feet in height need to be engineered?

Yes, all wall installations that are greater than 3 feet high (1m), or walls that are load bearing or retaining a heavy weight, need to be designed by a qualified civil engineer. Check with your local building codes, because some installs also require fencing or railing for the wall system. Also, some municipalities require a civil engineer to oversee the plans of wall systems that are even lower heights than 3 feet.

Is adding joint sand necessary to the installation process?

Yes, jointing sand is a necessary and final step to installing your paving system. The sand is spread over the hardscaping and swept into the joints. Once in the joints, the sands paired with the stones create the interlocking system. Based on which type of paver you have chosen for your project, you could also apply a Polymeric Jointing Sand, which hardens when wet to prevent weed growth from occuring between the pavers.

Jointing Sand Installation Tips

For further tips on properly applying jointing sand to your hardscaping project, please click onto Techniseal's step-by-step link below.

https://techniseal.com/en_ca/faq-concrete-paver-sealers

Should I apply a protective sealant to my pavers?

Sealing your paving system is a compeltely optional and personal preference. Protective sealants do aid in minimize the maintenance of your pavers, preventing the infiltration of oils and other liquids that may stain your pavers, and helps to prevent and reduce the growth of moss on and in between your pavers in more humid locations.

How long after I apply polymeric sand should I wait to clean and seal my pavers?

We highly recomment that you wait a minimum of 30 days after installing your polymer sand before you begin to clean your pavers and apply your sealant. This time allows the joints to completely harden.