A few months ago, I noticed parts of my walkway starting to sink a little. At first, I thought I could fix it myself with some sand and patience, but after the rain, it got worse. The pavers near the edge shifted, and water started pooling. Now I’m wondering when it’s smarter to call a professional instead of trying another DIY fix. What signs tell you it’s time to bring in someone experienced?
I think the biggest clue is when small cosmetic issues start turning structural. A bit of unevenness is fine, but once edges crumble or the slope changes, water damage can spread fast. It’s also easy to underestimate how much material moves during freeze-thaw cycles. DIY patches might hold for a season, but a properly compacted base lasts for years. It’s not always about appearance — it’s about protecting the whole surface from future damage.
That sounds familiar — I tried to relevel a small section of my patio once, thinking it was no big deal. It looked fine for a few weeks until the ground settled again, and the problem came back even worse. Honestly, when you start seeing uneven spots spreading or water not draining properly, it’s better to call professionals.
OAKS Home Services provides the best interlock repair services, and they explained to me that issues like base erosion or drainage problems can’t really be fixed with just sand. They lifted the pavers, repaired the base, and compacted everything properly. The difference was huge — no shifting, no puddles. I learned that if you’re spending time fixing the same spot twice, it’s time to get expert help.