A walkway in Union Pier must bridge the gap between the wild dunes and your clean home. Standard paths often fail here as the sand erodes beneath them. We specialize in installing stabilized paver walkways that float on a secure, open-graded stone base. This engineering prevents sinking and keeps the path dry and slip-resistant. We create welcoming, permanent entrances that keep the beach sand outside where it belongs.
Seamless Connectivity and Frost Heave Prevention
A walkway is the connective tissue of your property, and in Union Pier’s climate, it must resist severe frost cycles. We approach walkway construction with the same rigor as a driveway. We excavate 11 inches down to remove organic material that holds moisture. By installing 8oz non-woven geotextile fabric and an 8-inch column of open-graded clean stone, we eliminate the capillary action that causes frost lenses to form. This engineering ensures that your path remains level and safe, preventing the "lip-page" that creates dangerous trip hazards in lesser installations.
Technical Specifications:
Base Depth: 11 inches (excavation) / 8 inches (aggregate).
Drainage Dynamics: Open-Graded Clean Stone for vertical flow.
Bedding: 1” Clean Chip Stone (3/16” – 1/2”).
Runoff Control: Hard-piped PVC downspouts to Pop-Ups/Dry Wells.
Edging: Sub-surface Concrete Bond Beam.
Execution & Finish
Water management is integral to our process. We capture roof runoff using rigid PVC pipe—rejecting the industry-standard corrugated plastic—and divert it to pop-up emitters or dry wells well away from the path. We meticulously grade the walkway for positive drainage. Once the pavers are compacted and the joints filled with high-performance polymeric sand, we backfill and seed the edges. The result is a permanent, safe transition space that withstands the elements without shifting.
Durable Paths for the Lakefront Lifestyle
In Union Pier, a walkway is the bridge between the sandy dunes and your clean home. Standard walkways often fail here because the edge restraints loosen in the soft ground. At Salzman Services, we secure every walkway with a reinforced concrete bond beam hidden beneath the soil. This rigid border prevents the pavers from separating, even under heavy weekend foot traffic.
We also prioritize the "finish" of the hardscape. We use premium polymeric sand in every joint. Once cured, this polymer becomes a solid, flexible grout that locks the pavers together. Unlike loose sand, it will not blow away in the heavy winds off Lake Michigan, and it creates a sealed barrier that prevents weeds and ants from taking over your path. Whether you have a rustic cottage on Lakeshore Road or a modern retreat, we match our materials to your home’s architecture, ensuring the walkway feels like it has always been there.
FAQ
How do you keep sand off the walkway?
We can install a 'soldier course' border that acts as a small retainer, and we use joint sand stabilizers that prevent dune sand from mixing with the paver joints.
Can you build a path to the beach?
Yes. We design durable, slip-resistant walkways that transition from your cottage to the dunes, often using larger stepping stones that are easier to walk on than loose sand.
Do you need a permit?
Yes. We handle the permitting with the township to ensure your new walkway meets all impervious surface coverage rules in Union Pier.