Can I install a paver patio over an old deck footings area in my Vancouver backyard?

Yes, you can install a paver patio over an old deck footings area, but the existing concrete footings must be properly removed or incorporated into the design. Simply laying pavers over or around old footings will create an uneven surface with drainage problems and structural weak points.

Removing Old Footings is Usually Best

The most reliable approach is complete footing removal. Concrete deck footings in Metro Vancouver are typically 12-18 inches in diameter and extend 18-36 inches deep (depending on when they were installed and local frost line requirements at the time). A concrete saw or jackhammer breaks the footings into manageable pieces for removal. This creates a clean slate for proper patio base preparation.

Removing footings allows you to excavate the entire patio area to a consistent depth — typically 8-10 inches total in Metro Vancouver (6 inches of compacted gravel base plus 2 inches of bedding sand plus 2.5-inch pavers). Consistent excavation depth is critical because it ensures uniform base thickness, proper compaction, and prevents differential settling that creates uneven, ponding surfaces.

Incorporating Footings into the Design

If the footings are in good condition and positioned where they won't interfere with your patio layout, they can potentially be cut down to the proper elevation and incorporated as part of the base structure. The footing tops must be cut to exactly the right height — typically 4.5 inches below your finished patio elevation to accommodate bedding sand and pavers.

However, this approach requires precise elevation work and creates potential drainage complications. Concrete footings don't drain like gravel base material, so water can pool around them during Metro Vancouver's heavy winter rains. You'll need to ensure positive drainage away from the footings and potentially install drainage pipe at low points.

Metro Vancouver Considerations

Our marine climate makes proper drainage the number one concern for any patio installation. Old deck areas often have drainage issues because they were designed to shed water through the deck boards, not manage surface runoff. The new patio must slope away from your house at minimum 2% grade (1/4 inch per foot) and have somewhere for water to go during heavy rainfall events.

Clay-heavy soils common in Surrey, Richmond, Delta, and parts of Burnaby make footing removal more challenging but also more important. Clay doesn't drain well, and leaving concrete obstacles in clay soil creates water collection points that can undermine your patio base over time.

Cost and Practical Considerations

Footing removal typically adds $500-$1,500 to a patio project, depending on the number and size of footings. This includes saw-cutting or jackhammering, breaking into transportable pieces, and disposal fees. While this seems expensive upfront, it prevents much costlier problems later — differential settling, drainage issues, and uneven paver surfaces that require complete reconstruction.

When to Hire a Professional

Concrete footing removal requires heavy equipment (jackhammer, concrete saw), proper disposal at approved facilities, and knowledge of what's safe to cut. Many deck footings have rebar reinforcement that must be cut with appropriate tools. Professional contractors have the equipment, experience, and disposal relationships to handle this efficiently.

The patio installation itself — excavation, base preparation, compaction, and paver laying — should also be professionally installed for areas over 200 square feet. Proper base compaction using a plate compactor in controlled lifts is critical for long-term performance, especially in Metro Vancouver's wet climate.

Get multiple quotes that specifically address the footing removal and disposal costs upfront. Contractors should inspect the site and provide detailed pricing for both the removal work and the patio installation as separate line items.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Vancouver Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Vancouver Safety Surfacing Ltd
• I love kitchens LTD
• Heilman Renovations