In the wooded neighborhoods of Sawyer, a walkway must navigate between mature trees and rolling dunes. Standard concrete often cracks when tree roots expand beneath it. We specialize in flexible paver walkways designed to coexist with nature. By using a specialized base that bridges critical root zones, we prevent heaving while preserving the health of your trees. We create winding, naturalistic paths that guide guests to your door safely.
Structural Continuity and Trip Hazard Elimination
A walkway must provide safe, uninterrupted passage regardless of the season. In Michigan's climate, frost heave is the primary enemy of safe walking surfaces. We combat this by treating your walkway as a bridge over the subsoil. We excavate to a minimum depth of 11 inches, removing organic soils that are prone to shifting. By installing our 8oz non-woven geotextile fabric and an 8-inch column of open-graded clean stone, we create a non-frost-susceptible base. This ensures that even when the ground freezes, the moisture drains away rather than expanding under the pavers, preventing the lippage and uneven joints that create trip hazards.
Technical Specifications:
Excavation Depth: Minimum 11 inches to remove organic instability.
Base Material: 8” Open-Graded Clean Stone for rapid drainage.
Bedding: 1” Clean Chip Stone (3/16” – 1/2”).
Joint Stabilization: High-Performance Polymeric Sand.
Edge Restraint: Concrete Bond Beam (invisible and rigid).
Execution & Finish
Water management is critical near the home. We hard-pipe all downspouts using rigid PVC—never the cheap corrugated pipe that crushes and clogs—redirecting roof runoff under the walkway and away from the foundation. We carefully grade the surface to ensure water sheds effectively. Once the pavers are laid, we compact them with rollers to lock them into the bedding stone. Our team leaves the site immaculate, reseeding any disturbed soil along the edges, so your new path looks established and welcoming from day one.
Connecting Your Property Safely
In the wooded neighborhoods off Red Arrow Highway, walkways often struggle with two enemies: tree roots and deep shade. Roots can lift pavers, and shade promotes moss growth that makes surfaces slippery. At Salzman Services, we design walkways that navigate these challenges safely. We layout paths that respect existing root zones, often curving around mature trees rather than fighting them, to preserve the natural "Sawyer" aesthetic.
To combat shifting, we secure every edge with a reinforced concrete bond beam hidden below the surface. This creates a rigid frame that locks the pavers in place, even in sandy or loamy soils. We select textured, slip-resistant pavers that maintain grip even in damp, shady conditions, ensuring that your guests can move safely from the driveway to the fire pit or guest cottage, regardless of the weather.
FAQ
Can you build a walkway through the woods?
Yes. We can design meandering paths using natural stone or informal pavers that wind through the trees, connecting your guest house or fire pit to the main lodge.
Do tree roots ruin the path?
We use a 'bridging' technique with geotextiles over critical root zones to protect the tree and the walkway. If a root ever does lift a paver, we can easily pop it out and adjust it.
What about maintenance?
Very low. Keep it swept. If moss grows in the shade (which some people love), we can pressure wash it off. We're always available for maintenance if you need us.