How do I fix a dip in my Vancouver paver patio?

A dip in your paver patio can usually be fixed by lifting the affected pavers, adjusting the bedding sand underneath, and relaying them level. This is one of the more manageable DIY interlock repairs, provided the dip is small (affecting 10-20 pavers or less) and the underlying base is still sound.

Diagnosing the Problem

First, determine what's causing the dip. In Metro Vancouver's wet climate, settling usually happens because water has saturated and softened the base material beneath the pavers, or because the original base wasn't compacted properly. Walk around the sunken area and check if it feels spongy underfoot or if water pools there after rain. If the dip is near a downspout, irrigation line, or low spot where water collects, poor drainage is likely the culprit.

The Repair Process

Start by carefully lifting the sunken pavers using flat pry bars or paver pullers (available at tool rental shops). Work from the center of the dip outward, and take a photo before you start so you remember the paver pattern. Remove the bedding sand beneath the pavers — it's probably contaminated with clay or organic matter if water has been pooling there.

Check the gravel base underneath. If it feels firm and well-compacted, you can simply add new bedding sand, screed it level with the surrounding area, and relay the pavers. Use concrete sand or paver sand, not play sand. If the base feels soft or you can push a screwdriver into it easily, you'll need to remove more base material, add fresh 3/4-inch crushed gravel, and compact it with a hand tamper before adding bedding sand.

Metro Vancouver Considerations

Our persistent rainfall means that drainage issues often cause these dips to return if you don't address the root cause. Check that water can drain away from the repaired area — you need at least 2% slope (1/4 inch per foot) away from your house. If the dip is in a low spot where water naturally collects, consider installing a small catch basin connected to your storm drain, or redirect roof drainage away from the patio.

Clay soil is common across Surrey, Richmond, Delta, and parts of Burnaby. If you see clay mixed into your base material, that's a sign that the clay subgrade is migrating upward and contaminating your drainage layer. This is a bigger problem that may require excavating deeper, installing geotextile fabric, and rebuilding the base properly.

When to Call a Professional

If the dip covers more than 50 square feet, keeps returning after you fix it, or if you discover that the gravel base is contaminated with clay throughout, this is beyond DIY repair. A professional can assess whether you need deeper excavation, better drainage, or complete base reconstruction. Large areas of settling often indicate that the original installation had inadequate base depth — common in Metro Vancouver where proper base preparation for our wet climate is often underestimated.

Also call a pro if the dip is near your house foundation, as this could indicate a more serious drainage or settling issue that affects your home's structure.

Preventing Future Problems

After the repair, maintain proper joint sand to keep water from penetrating between pavers and saturating the base. Use polymeric sand rather than regular sand — it hardens when wet and resists washout during our heavy winter rains. Reapply polymeric sand every 3-5 years or whenever you notice joints looking empty or moss growing through them.

A typical small patio repair (10-20 pavers) costs $300-800 if you hire a contractor, but it's definitely manageable as a weekend DIY project if the base is sound and you have basic tools.