What does interlocking mean?
The term interlock when referring to concrete pavers is the inability of one concrete stone moving independent of neighboring stones due to the sand between the paver joints. This sand between the stones creates friction between the individual stone locking them together into a durable pavement system. Back to top.

What are the components of an interlocking concrete pavement?
The components include a base, bedding sand, Rinox concrete pavers with sand in their joints, and an edge restraint to contain the pavers at the perimeter. Back to top.

Why do Rinox Pavers make the best pavement?
Not only are Rinox Pavers beautiful, but installation over a compacted aggregate base result in a pavement that is strong, yet flexible enough to move as the ground shifts without breaking apart, rutting or heaving. In addition, they can be “unzipped” to allow for repairs or access to utility lines. Unlike asphalt and other surfaces, pavers are virtually maintenance-free. And, Rinox Pavers are more than 3 times stronger than regular poured concrete. Back to top.

Can I add to my Rinox project at a later date?
One great reason for using Rinox products is because you can easily add to any type of project that you are doing with our products. In the case of pavers and patio stone all you will have to do is pull up your edge restraint and proceed to add to your project. If the colors show a little variance you can pull up a couple of pieces of the old paved area and blend that in with the new pavers you are laying. With wall products you would stack more product on an existing wall if you haven't reached its maximum height or dig more trench and add on. If the colors end up being a little off on these projects just follow the same procedure as the pavers and pull up some of the old product and mix in with the new. Back to top.

Can pavers be used in any climate?
Yes, Rinox pavers have been installed all over the world in varying climate conditions. With compression strengths exceeding industry standards Rinox pavers were built to stand the test of time and Mother Nature. Back to top.

Do pavers get icy in colder climates?
Concrete pavers resist deterioration from freezing and thawing cycles better than asphalt and ordinary poured in place concrete. De-icing products, such as calcium chloride or salt, will not harm the pavers either, making them a great choice for cold climates. Electric or liquid snow melting systems work well under concrete pavers, eliminating snow removal while reducing slip hazards. Darker colored pavers can also aid in accelerating the melting process. Back to top.

Is it easy to plow snow on pavers?
Snow can be plowed, blown or shoveled just like asphalt or concrete pavements—quickly and easily. The beveled or chamfered edges of pavers prevent plows or shovels from catching on the edge—so they’re nice and smooth for easy snow clearing! Back to top.

Is cracking or heaving any issue with paving stones?
Cracking, which is common with traditional asphalt and concrete pavements, is not an issue with interlocking concrete paving stones due to the flexible system allowing for movement and joint spacing between each paver. Back to top.

How do interlocking pavers compare to concrete or stamped, colored concrete?
Stamped concrete and regular concrete cracks, breaks, heaves, shifts and is slippery when it's damp or wet. The colors that concrete contractors use to color the stamped concrete fade very fast, and if the colored concrete is not sealed annually, it fades even faster. Rinox interlocking pavers are designed to be maintenance free. Back to top.

How can the area below pavers be repaired?
Paving repairs are simple. Just break out two bricks and remove as many or as few more stones as you need to repair water lines, electrical lines and then replace the stones and the repair is seamless compared to having to remove and replace the entire concrete or asphalt area. Back to top.

How are paving stones made?
Briefly, paving stones are made by combining cement, aggregate, sand, pigment, admixtures and minimal amount of water. These materials are combined by predetermined recipes in a steel mold of the shape desired. Under high vibration and hydraulic pressure the materials are compacted in the mold to create the paving stone you selected. The product is then set to cure, subsequently packaged and shipped to the jobsite. Back to top.

Can I buy Rinox Pavers direct from the factory?
None of our manufacturing locations are set up to be able to sell retail direct. That is why Rinox Pavers has many quality retailers set up to carry Rinox products and assist you with any technical questions you may have. Find a retailer near you. Back to top.

Project Planning

Why should I choose Rinox pavers over asphalt or poured concrete for my driveway?
Rinox concrete pavers will outlast asphalt or poured concrete driveways because of the strength of the system. Pavers are also environmentally friendly. If you have an underground repair to do, you can simply remove the pavers in the area, complete the repair and replace the pavers. This process is not so effortless with a permanent structure such as concrete or asphalt. Because pavers are flexible pavement, you will not have surface cracks that usually occur with the use of regular concrete. Also, interlocking pavers add resale value to your home. They are aesthetically pleasing and create a great curb appeal. Back to top.

Can pavers be installed over a poured concrete base?
Absolutely, but steps must be taken so that water does not sit underneath the pavers. Drainage holes should be drilled through the slabs, filled with clean stone to allow for drainage. The concrete base must be inspected for stability prior to applying a paver overlay. Back to top.

Can the paving stones be laid on top of my current driveway or existing patio?
Paving stones can be installed on existing surfaces, however the flexibility will be compromised and subject to the surface beneath. Any cracks greater than 3/8 of an inch should be patched prior to installation. Geotextiles must be placed over the entire surface and 1/8 inch minimum of bedding sand must be used. Care for drainage can be achieved by drilling drain holes at the lowest elevation of the pavement with geotextile fabric placed over each whole to prevent bedding sand loss. Back to top.

Do pavers need to be mortared into place?
No, Rinox pavers are installed on a flexible base with no mortar required. Back to top.

Is there an ideal product or color to use on a pool deck or patio?
Rinox Pavers make a terrific slip-resistant surface around pools. Because people are often barefoot on pool decks, we recommend our Arizona Stone products. The proprietary process of making Rinox’s Arizona Stone allows the paver to resist absorbing the heat of direct sunlight better than most pavements. Patios usually aren’t as critical as pool decks for heat, but it should be considered. If your patio is in a shady area, any color should be fine. Back to top.

What thickness paver do I need for a patio or pool deck?
A minimum thickness of 2 3/8” is recommended. Larger sized paving stones are often made in greater thicknesses, but don’t let that scare you, they are just fine to use. Let your contractor know when you want a larger paver. If you are installing the project yourself, you just need to modify the excavation depth to accommodate for the difference in paver height. Back to top.

What about water drainage off my patio?
Recommended pitch for residential applications for drainage is defined as no greater then 1/8th of inch per foot. This slope should be established during base preparation, and not bedding sand. Back to top.

What is the best color to use on a driveway?
Darker colors are recommended for driveways because they usually hide tire tracks better. The rubber compound in certain vehicles’ tires can be softer than others and leave black residue when the tires are turned while in motion. If you do decide to uses a lighter color for a driveway, it is recommended that you thoroughly clean and seal the driveway to help avoid staining and tire marks. Don’t worry, though, there are cleaners available should you mark up your pavers. Back to top.

What thickness paver do I need for a residential driveway?
Residential driveways pavers require a minimum 2 3/8” thickness. As long as the crushed stone base is a minimum of 8”- 10” thick and compacted correctly over a stable subbase, the system will hold up just fine. If there is any frequent traffic of commercial vehicles, trash trucks, oil delivery trucks, etc, it is recommended to a use a paver that is 3 1/8” thick and increase the depth of the stone base. Back to top.

Can you drive heavy vehicles over paving stones? (RV's, Motor homes etc.)
Absolutely! Careful consideration should be taken on all driveway applications to include an increased compacted base of a minimum of 10 inches of quarry processed stone. Back to top.

Installation

What is geotextile? What does it do? Is it necessary?
Sometimes called filter fabric, geotextile is made of plastic threads that allow water to pass around them, but not very small particles of soil beneath them. Geotextile separates and contains the base from the underlying soil subgrade. It allows the base to shed water, and prevents the soil around it from working its way into the base. Without geotextile, the soil will work its way into the base and weaken it. This is a slow process that happens when the soil is saturated with water or during periods of thawing. Geotextile stops this process and extends the life of the base by many years. Geotextile is recommended for use over silt and clay soils. It is not essential in sandy soils. Back to top.

Should I seal concrete pavers?
Sealing is not essential in many applications but it offers some benefits like making spills and stains easier to remove. Sealers help resist stains and may enhance the color. Some can also bind the sand in the joints to make it difficult for weeds to germinate. Back to top.

How long do I need to wait before I apply a sealer?
As a rule of thumb, we generally want you to wait at least six months or three seasons to allow any efflorescence to appear. Sealing is not recommended while efflorescence is present. Efflorescence will dissipate over time or can be accelerated with the use of specialized cleaning agents. Prior to the application of any sealers, the pavers must be cleaned with an appropriate product to remove dirt and efflorescence. Back to top.

Are there disadvantages to sealing?
Since they are a transparent paint-like coating, sealers generally need to be reapplied every three to five years. Use sealers specifically for concrete pavers. More intense use of the pavers and extreme climates often increase the need for re-applying a coat of sealer. Back to top.

How do I determine how much stone base material and sand setting bed material I need?
One half ton of modified stone or sand will cover about 100 sq. ft. at 1" thick. Using a 10 x 10 (100 square feet) patio as an example, you would need ½ ton of sand for the setting bed (1" thick) and 2 tons of modified stone for the base (4" thick). You’ll need about 5% more sand for the joints between the pavers. The thickness of the base material depends on the application and sub grade soil conditions (uses a thicker base for poorly drained soils). As a rule of thumb, you’ll need 4" to 6" of base material for non-vehicular areas, and 10" to 14" for driveways and parking lots. Back to top.

What is the base made of? What kind should be used?
The base is typically made of compacted, crushed stone that varies in size from one inch (25mm) down to dust. Base materials used under asphalt street pavements are acceptable for use with interlocking concrete pavements. Some parts of the country use cement stabilized or concrete bases due to very weak or slow draining soils. However, most applications use a crushed stone base that’s compacted. The depth of the base material is determined by the stability of the subbase and the loading requirements for the project. Permeable pavement systems are designed with a base of clean stone to allow the storm water to pass through and recharge the subase. Typically cross sections and base material calculators are located for guidance on the resource page. Back to top.

Should limestone screenings or stone dust be used under the concrete pavers?
No. Most screenings and stone dust have too many fine particles that slow drainage and rut under repeated loads from tires. Concrete sand is recommended by ICPI and is available in most regions. Back to top.

What is polymeric sand and what are its advantages?
Polymeric sand is a high-tech mix of graded sand and binder, specially formulated for filling joints between pavers. When installed properly, polymeric sand will remain in the paver joints and inhibit weed growth and insect infestation, as well as sand washout from rain. It is important check the weather conditions and read the proper installation instructions before applying polymeric sand to your pavers. Back to top.

Will weeds grow between my pavers?
Weeds and grass between pavers occur when seeds or spores lodge in the joints between pavers. They will not grow from underneath. This can be minimized by using polymeric sand or mixing a pre-emergent granular weed killer into the joint sand. If weeds do appear, a spot vegetation killer can be used and will not damage the pavers. Back to top.

Should I install a fabric to block the weed growth?
In general weed growth at the surface of the pavement is caused from airborne seeds that germinate at the surface and therefore a fabric is not necessary. Back to top.

What do you do about tree root problems when installing my pavers?
Tree root barriers can be installed to decrease the roots potential to damage hardscapes, walls, and even foundations. Back to top.

Are you able to cut the pavers so they fit around circular objects?
Yes, Rinox pavers can be used in nearly unlimited scope and design. With the proper equipment concrete pavers can be cut to form circles and curves. With options like Rinox’s Ribera stone curves can even be achieved without cutting. Back to top.

How long do I have to wait to drive/walk on my interlocking paving stones after they're installed?
That's the best part, there's no down time required! You can walk & drive on your Rinox pavers right away. Back to top.

Care and Maintenance

How do I remove stains and fix damaged pavers?
If the stain is on one or two pavers, replacing them with new pavers is the easiest way. Remove the sand around these pavers and use a paver extractor (or two flat head screwdrivers) to lift the paver out. Rocking the paver gently in a back and forth motion will facilitate removal. If the staining is more extensive, Rinox distributes a full line of cleaners especially made for removing stains and for overall cleaning of the surface. Please refer to the accessories page for more information on cleaners. Back to top.

I have white deposits or film on my pavers/walls, what is it?
You are probably referring to efflorescence, a natural and common occurrence in concrete products. Efflorescence occurs when natural salts, from the process of making cement, come to the paving and leave behind a white deposit that can normally be brushed off. This is not a product defect nor harmful to pavers and walls and Rinox Pavers accepts no liability for its occurrence. Typically, efflorescence will stop developing in approximately 18 to 24 months. Since many factors are involved in its formation, it is difficult to determine when exactly efflorescence will stop. Just as it appears naturally it will eventually disappear naturally. It will typically weather away with time. Back to top.

How do I remove efflorescence?
If you would like to have the efflorescence removed quicker, your pavers can be cleaned with a commercially available cleaning formula specific for concrete pavers. Cleaning should be performed immediately after efflorescence has appeared. It may reappear as long as the chemical reaction continues and cleaning of the pavers may need to be done until the efflorescence has stopped forming. Cleaners containing acid are not recommended for removing efflorescence. Careless or improper cleaning can result in injury, damage, and discoloration of the concrete pavers. Also test a small area before applying any cleaner to the entire surface. After cleaning, the pavers should be completely dry and free of efflorescence before sealer. Back to top.

How do I remove ice and snow from my concrete paving stones?
Pavers can be shoveled or plowed to remove snow similar to an asphalt or concrete surface. Plows should have a rubber edge. De-icers containing Calcium Magnesium Acetate are most often recommended for removing ice from concrete pavers. These products can be purchased at your local home and hardware stores. Most de-icing products include recommendations on their labels for best practices and applications. After the ice is removed applying extra sand or cat litter to the surface often improves traction. Excessive repeated use of rock salt may damage concrete products and void warranties. Back to top.

How can I remove moss or mold from my pavers?
Try liquid bleach diluted in water (10 parts water to one part bleach). Be careful not to get it on plant material. Keep in mind that there is nothing that will keep moss and mold from reappearing in a shady, damp area. Back to top.

Retaining Walls

I’ve got a railroad tie wall that is rotting and falling down. What can I do?
Our segmental retaining wall systems provide an excellent solution to this problem. They are strong and if installed correctly, will last a lifetime. Rinox Pavers offers several different wall systems to meet your project requirements. Back to top.

What is geogrid and when should it be used?
As a rule of thumb, all walls over 3' high or with heaving loading in the retained zone should be reinforced with geogrid. Geogrid is placed between the layers of block at different intervals to stabilize the soil behind the retaining wall and secure the wall face to the earth behind it. The height of the finished wall, soil characteristics, and the pressure on the wall caused by slopes, structures, and/or paved areas all affect the proper placement and length of geogrid. Please check local codes and consult with a licensed professional designer before constructing walls over 3’ tall or with slopes at the toe and crest. Back to top.

What is used for the base of a retaining wall?
A crushed stone base should be compacted to a minimum depth of 6” (providing there is a competent subbase) underneath the first course of retaining wall. The stone base for the retaining wall needs to be a minimum of 24” wide. Clean stone (#57) or concrete are also acceptable base materials for retaining walls. Back to top.

Do I have to bury any of the block below grade in a retaining wall?
Yes, typically a minimum of one course of block or at least 10% of the wall height should be buried in most applications. Certain site conditions may require more embedment as design by a professional engineer. Back to top.

How high can I build freestanding wall?
Freestanding walls are not recommended to be constructed over 24” high and concrete adhesive should be applied to every course of block during construction. Proper stone base and embedment is essential for construction of freestanding walls. Back to top.

What is the minimum distance between tiered walls without geogrid reinforcement?
The rule of thumb is that the top tier must be double the distance back from the height of the bottom tier and have not slope or surcharge between them. Site conditions and soil parameters can influence the stability of tiered structures. Please contact a licensed professional or Rinox for more assistance (866-997-4669). Back to top.

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