A perfectly aligned driveway with pavers is a real eye-catcher and shows the homeowner takes pride in their property. But over time, those pavers can get chipped from wear and tear or things like dropped bikes. When that happens, you may need to replace them. You probably don’t need to replace large areas – just the damaged pieces. It’s tempting to use a screwdriver to pry out the chipped paver, but that can end up damaging the ones next to it. Instead, try breaking up the damaged paver in place with a hammer and chisel. This lets you remove it without risking more damage. This technique works great for driveways, but you can also use it on garden paths and patios made with pavers. Just be sure to wear safety glasses and gloves when you’re using the hammer and chisel.
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Using a hammer and chisel to remove chipped pavers
Miriam-doerr/Getty Images To remove a chipped paver, you’ll need a cold chisel and a hammer. Unlike regular woodworking chisels, a cold chisel is made for cutting through metal and masonry. Make sure to wear safety glasses and gloves to protect yourself from flying debris.
Don’t try to smash the paver in one big hit – that’s a recipe for an accident. Instead, carefully chisel along the middle of the paver, going across it at 90 degrees. Take your time and work in small sections. Eventually the paver will weaken and break up into smaller pieces that you can remove without disturbing the surrounding pavers.
Once the old paver is out, you’ll need to level the area underneath before putting in a new one. Usually a little sand does the trick, but check how the original driveway or patio was laid. Then you can set the new paver in place and use a rubber mallet to bed it down. Finish up by filling any small gaps with polymeric sand to match the rest of the surface.
