Every spring in Madison, the snow melts and reveals the damage the winter left behind. Freeze-thaw cycles, ice dam runoff, and saturated clay soil take their toll on patios, walkways, and driveways across Dane County.
Here are the five signs to look for during your spring inspection, what they mean, and whether you need a contractor or can handle it yourself.
1. Heaved or uneven sections
The most common spring patio issue in Madison. A section of pavers, stone, or even concrete has risen above the surrounding surface, creating a lip or hump.
What it means: the ground beneath that section froze and expanded, lifting the surface. On well-installed paver patios, this is a minor repair. On poorly installed or aging concrete, it may signal a deeper base problem.
What to do: For pavers, this is often a straightforward same-day fix. Lift the affected pavers, re-level the sand beneath them, and reset. If the heaving is significant or recurring, the base may need to be rebuilt. For concrete, heaved sections that create a trip hazard typically require saw-cutting and repour.
2. New cracks in concrete
Hairline cracks that appeared after the winter. Some surface cracking in poured concrete is expected over time, but new cracks after a severe winter can signal more significant movement in the base.
What it means: water infiltrated an existing small crack, froze, expanded, and widened it. Or the base shifted enough to crack a rigid slab.
What to do: surface cracks under 1/4 inch wide can be filled with a concrete crack filler for cosmetic purposes. Cracks wider than 1/4 inch, cracks that run the full depth of the slab, or cracks accompanied by vertical displacement (one side higher than the other) indicate a structural issue that needs professional assessment.
3. Sunken areas or pooling water
After snowmelt or rain, water sits on the patio surface instead of draining away.
What it means: the patio has lost its drainage slope, typically due to base settling. This is a problem both for the patio surface (water infiltration accelerates freeze-thaw damage) and for your foundation if water is pooling near the house.
What to do: for paver patios, a sunken area can often be lifted, the base re-leveled, and the pavers reset. For concrete, a sunken section may require mudjacking (pumping material under the slab to raise it) or full replacement.
4. Shifting pavers or gaps between pavers
Pavers that have moved out of alignment, gaps that have opened between pavers, or pavers that wobble when you step on them.
What it means: the polymeric sand in the joints has washed out or deteriorated, allowing the pavers to shift. Alternatively, edge restraints may have failed, allowing the entire field to spread.
What to do: this is often a DIY-manageable fix. Re-level any wobbling pavers, reset shifted ones, and apply fresh polymeric sand. Wet the surface and compact lightly to re-lock the joints. If pavers are shifting at the edges, check whether the edge restraint spikes have pulled out of the ground and re-drive them or replace the restraint.
5. Sealer deterioration on stamped concrete
If you have stamped concrete, spring is when you will see sealer flaking, peeling, or turning white or cloudy.
What it means: the sealer applied to your stamped concrete has failed. Without sealer, stamped concrete loses its color, the surface becomes rough, and water penetrates more easily.
What to do: strip the failed sealer using a chemical stripper or pressure washing, and reseal with a quality concrete sealer. This should be done every 2 to 3 years on stamped concrete in Madison. A failed sealer that is left in place is harder to prep for recoating than one that is caught early.
Frequently asked questions
How soon after winter should I inspect my patio?
Wait until the ground has fully thawed and dried, typically late March to mid-April in Madison. Inspecting while the ground is still partly frozen may miss issues that become apparent after complete thaw. The window between full thaw and peak contractor booking season (mid-April) is narrow, so inspect in early April and contact contractors immediately if you find issues.
Can I repair paver heaving myself?
For small sections (under 20 sq ft), yes. You need a flat pry bar or paver puller, a rubber mallet, a level, and leveling sand. Lift the affected pavers, check and adjust the sand base, reset the pavers, and refill the joints with polymeric sand. For larger areas or if the issue is recurring, a contractor can diagnose whether the base itself needs work.
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