Paver Crack Filler: Fix Cracked Pavers and Gaps Right

Paver patios and walkways have a nice trick up their sleeve: if one piece cracks, you don't have to tear up the whole thing. But that also means there are two kinds of "gaps" to deal with: cracks running through an individual paver, and the joints between pavers that open up and sprout weeds. A paver crack filler handles the first. The second needs something different.

For a hairline or narrow crack in a paver that's still solid and level, a no mix concrete crack filler seals it quickly with no mixing and very little mess. For the joints, polymeric sand is the usual answer. And sometimes the best fix is simply lifting the cracked paver and dropping in a new one.

The Short Answer

Fill small, stable cracks inside a single paver with a masonry-suited crack filler: clean it, fill it, level it and mist it. Refill the joints between pavers with polymeric sand, not crack filler, so the pavers can still flex. Replace pavers that are broken into pieces, badly cracked or sunken, and fix the base if many pavers are shifting.

Why Pavers Crack and Shift

• Weak or settled base. Pavers rely on compacted gravel and sand underneath. If it washes out or settles, pavers sink and crack.
• Heavy loads like vehicles on pavers designed for foot traffic
• Freeze-thaw in cold climates
• Impact from dropped items
• Roots lifting sections
• Missing edge restraint, letting pavers spread apart

Crack, Joint or Base Problem?

A crack in one paver

A line through a single paver that's still level with its neighbors. Fill it, or replace the paver if you want it to look new.

Open or weedy joints

The sand between pavers has washed out and weeds are growing. Refill with polymeric sand.

Sinking or rocking pavers

A base problem. Lift the pavers, add and compact base material, re-level and reset.

Many cracked pavers in one area

Usually the base has failed or the area carries loads it wasn't built for. A hardscape contractor can rebuild the section.

Should You Fill or Replace a Cracked Paver?

• Fill it if the crack is narrow, the paver is solid, and you're happy with a repaired look.
• Replace it if the paver is broken into pieces, has a corner missing, or the crack is wide.

Replacing one paver is easier than it sounds: pry it out with two flathead screwdrivers, check the base, set a matching paver, and refill the joints. Keep a few spare pavers from the original job if you can.

Choosing a Paver Crack Filler

• Suited to concrete, stone and masonry, since pavers come in all three
• Precise application so you don't stain the paver face
• Weather-resistant once cured
• Horizontal use, which is exactly what a paver patio is

The Crack Repair Filler by VALYA is ready to use, water-activated, and suitable for concrete, masonry, brick and stone. For more on how water-activated fillers work, see our guide to powder concrete crack filler. If you're comparing products for several surfaces around the yard, our pick for the best concrete crack filler for easy DIY jobs covers pavers too.

For joints: polymeric sand

Polymeric sand is a sand mixed with binders that firm up when wetted. It locks pavers in place while still letting them flex, and it helps block weeds and ants. Don't fill paver joints with rigid crack filler; it can crack and keep the pavers from moving naturally.

How to Fill a Crack in a Paver

1. Clean the crack with a brush and a thin screwdriver.
2. Blow out the dust.
3. Make sure it's dry.
4. Mask the paver with painter's tape along the crack for a clean line (optional).
5. Fill the crack with the pointed applicator.
6. Level it flush and remove the tape.
7. Mist lightly with water and let it set.

How to Refill Paver Joints

1. Remove old sand and weeds from the joints with a joint tool or stiff brush.
2. Sweep polymeric sand into the joints until full.
3. Compact with a plate compactor or by tapping, then top up.
4. Sweep the paver faces clean, then blow off remaining dust.
5. Water it following the polymeric sand directions.

Mistakes With Pavers

• Filling joints with rigid filler
• Leaving polymeric sand dust on the paver faces before wetting, which can haze them
• Filling a crack in a sinking paver instead of fixing the base
• Ignoring drainage that's washing out the base

FAQ

Can you fill a crack in a paver?

Yes, if it's narrow and the paver is solid and level. Otherwise, replacing the paver is usually the cleaner fix.

What do I use to fill gaps between pavers?

Polymeric sand. It firms up when wetted, locks pavers together and still lets them flex.

How do I replace a single cracked paver?

Pry it out with two flathead screwdrivers, level the base, set a new paver, and refill the joints.

Why are my pavers sinking?

Usually because the base has settled or washed out. Lift them, rebuild and compact the base, then reset.

Wrapping Up

A paver crack filler is great for small cracks inside a solid paver. Use polymeric sand for joints, replace badly broken pavers, and fix the base when pavers sink.

If your pavers have small cracks, take a look at the Crack Repair Filler by VALYA and see if it fits your project.