In Bridgman, keeping the beach sand out of the house is a constant battle. A well-designed walkway is your first line of defense. We specialize in installing permeable paver walkways that trap sand and drain water instantly. Our stabilized base construction prevents the pavers from shifting or heaving, even during the harsh lake-effect winters. We create safe, slip-resistant paths that welcome guests to your home while keeping the outdoors where it belongs.
Eliminating Trip Hazards Through Base Integrity
A walkway is a high-traffic structural component that must remain safe and level. In Bridgman, shifting sands and clay can cause lighter-duty walkways to undulate over time. We eliminate trip hazards by treating your walkway like a bridge. We excavate 11 inches deep and install our 8oz non-woven geotextile fabric to separate the subsoil from our stone base. By using open-graded clean stone, we create a non-frost-susceptible foundation. This ensures that even when the ground freezes, the base does not expand and lift the pavers, keeping your path perfectly flat year-round.
Technical Specifications:
Excavation: Minimum 11 inches to remove unstable organics.
Base Material: 8” Open-Graded Clean Stone for superior drainage.
Bedding: 1” Clean Chip Stone (3/16” – 1/2”).
Water Management: Rigid PVC downspout extensions to Pop-Ups or Dry Wells.
Edge Restraint: Reinforced Concrete Bond Beam.
Execution & Finish
We manage roof runoff by hard-piping downspouts with rigid PVC—never crushable corrugated pipe—redirecting water to pop-up emitters or dry wells far from the path. We verify the grade to ensure positive drainage off the walkway surface. After compaction, we sweep high-performance polymeric sand into the joints to lock the pavers together. We finish by backfilling the edges with topsoil and seed, leaving you with a clean, safe, and permanent entrance to your home.
Slip-Resistant Paths for Sandy Homes
In Bridgman, the battle against tracking sand into the house is constant. A standard concrete sidewalk often cracks under the thermal shock of Lake Michigan winters and does nothing to trap debris. We design permeable paver walkways that function as a first line of defense. The textured surface and permeable joints help capture loose sand from feet and flip-flops before it enters your home.
Structurally, we account for the "Saltation" effect—where wind-blown sand scours and undermines edges. We extend our aggregate base 6 inches past the edge of the pavers to prevent this erosion. We secure the borders with our signature concrete bond beam, which provides a rigid edge that plastic spikes simply cannot match in loose soil. The result is a safe, stable path that handles the unique challenges of a beach town environment.
FAQ
How do you handle ice on walkways?
Proper grading is the first defense—we pitch the walk so water runs off before it freezes. Our textured pavers also provide better grip than smooth concrete.
Can you match my driveway?
Yes. We can use a contrasting border or the same paver to tie your new walkway into your existing driveway for a cohesive look.
Do you seal it?
Sealing is optional. It helps pop the color and protect against stains, but the pavers are durable without it. We're happy to do it if you want that 'wet look'.