Hanover^® Prest^® Brick is produced on specially designed machinery which ensures an exact quality controlled process that produces paving brick of higher strength and durability than poured-in-place concrete. Hanover^® Interlocking Prest^® Brick is manufactured as a single homogenous mix throughout; not a two-mix system that has a top coat. Hanover^® Prest^® Brick has a minimum average compressive strength of 8,000 psi, compared to poured-in-place concrete with an average of 3,000 psi (almost 3 times stronger), and has a lower absorption rate as well. Hanover’s LAMININ^® Paver Infusion Technology works to enhance the above-referenced product performance values. Hanover^® Prest^® Brick is the ideal product for freeze/thaw environments. With proper installation, this product provides a hard-wearing and flexible surface. The joints between the pavement allow the walkway, driveway, or patio to move without cracking. In addition, they can be “unzipped” to allow for repairs or easy access to utilities. Unlike asphalt, Hanover^® Prest^® Brick is virtually maintenance-free and does not need to be regularly sealed or replaced.

It is the combination of the installation system, together with the ratio between the thickness and the length and width of the Prest^® Brick which makes them “Interlocking” – not the shape. When installed correctly over a base designed and properly prepared for the type of application and load bearing that the installation is intended to carry, the combination of the Prest^® Brick, bedding sand, edge restraint, and joint sand causes them to interlock, allowing the individual pieces to work as a unified, flexible pavement.

Hanover^® Prest^® Brick is placed over a leveling course (see manufacturer’s installation guidelines), which is over a compacted aggregate base. The thickness of the base will vary depending on the purpose of the application. The Prest^® Brick is retained at the outside perimeter of the project using edge restraints. Edge restraints such as plastic edging and concrete curbs are recommended. Once the Prest^® Brick is placed and restrained, the interlocking process may begin. Coarse, angular sand is swept into the joints and over the Prest^® Brick. The Prest^® Brick is compacted and may take 1 or 2 passes before the full interlock can be achieved. After compaction, the project is ready for use. Sweeping and cleaning of the area will be necessary. (See installation guidelines for more details.)

Patterned concrete pavements are merely large sections of poured-in-place concrete that have been embossed with a design. Therefore, they are prone to the same problem freeze/thaw cycles (ie. cracking and spalling), lower strengths, and higher absorption rates as poured-in-place concrete. Hanover^® Prest^® Brick permits a flexible, breathable surface, working with nature. In addition, stamped concrete requires expansion joints every 10 feet or so, which can be very distracting. Also, patterned concrete pavements don’t allow access to underground utilities or the ability to make repairs. At practically the same price per square foot installed, Hanover^® Prest^® Brick is clearly the best choice.

Installed properly, Hanover^® Prest^® Brick will outperform poured-in-place concrete, stamped concrete and patterned asphalt by many years.

Less time than you might think. The average home patio can be installed in one weekend. Hanover^® Prest^® Brick makes the job simple and easy. Being a mortarless system, a lot of extra work and mess is eliminated.

Once complete, the installation will not permit seeds to germinate from beneath the Prest^® Brick. However, weeds and grass could result from seeds or spores blowing into and lodging in the joint sand. Polymeric Sand can be used which will deter weed growth and insect infestation. If weeds do appear, a spot vegetation killer can be used seasonally and will not damage the Prest^® Brick.

Hanover^® Prest^® Bricks are made with the highest quality pigment and have color completely throughout each unit. However, the extreme effects of the sun and elements work against all building materials. Over the years, it is possible to see the colors mellow as they age. Hanover’s LAMININ^® Paver Infusion Technology helps protect against the extreme effects of the sun and other natural elements to maintain more vibrant colors.

One great reason for using Hanover^® Prest^® Brick is that you can easily add to any type of project. All you need to do is to take up the existing edge restraint and a few rows of Prest® Brick. Prepare the base and setting bed for the new section. As you add the new units, blend the new brick with the old of the existing section. This will help reduce any variance of the existing colors.

Hanover^® Prest^® Bricks are manufactured to be durable and long-lasting. The use of the protective sealant is optional and can add value to your concrete unit pavers. Hanover® Sealers provide color enhancement in conjunction with the protection already provided by LAMININ^®. Applying Hanover^® Sealer can help minimize the penetration of stains, i.e., coffee, soda, grease, oil, tire marks, etc. Sealers can also protect the pavers from environmental conditions, such as acid rains and extreme UV exposure. It can also help to minimize weed germination in the joint sand and enhance the colors of the pavers. Hanover^® Sealers is a topically applied product and come in a variety of treatments from wet look to natural. As with any sealing application, reapplication will become necessary based on the amount of use, exposure, etc. All sealers are completely VOC compliant and can be applied easily following manufacturer application and instructions. Before sealing, it is recommended that all pavers be thoroughly cleaned with appropriate paver cleaning products and completely dry. Manufacturer’s installation details should be followed for application techniques.

Stains can be removed with appropriate cleaning products. However, should a severe stain occur or some pieces become damaged, Hanover^® Prest^® Bricks have a distinct advantage. Individual Prest^® Brick can be removed and replaced in these situations. Remove the sand around the unit and use a flat head screwdriver to lift it out. A “brick puller” is also designed for removing single pieces. Check with your local dealer or rental facility.

While this is not the preferred method, your installation can be laid over the top of existing concrete walkways, providing there is no substantial heaving in the existing area. Several other issues need to be addressed. First, the grade will need to be raised by about 3” (the thickness of the bricks plus bedding sand or bonding agent). This is particularly critical if any doorways are involved. Second, remember that if the existing concrete slab should raise or drop with freeze/thaw conditions, the bricks will do the same.

For most residential applications, conventional methods of snow removal are acceptable (ie. shoveling or snow blowing). Care should be taken to make sure the skid plates are set to maintain a clearance between the snowblower and the bricks so as not to scratch the bricks. Please note, the use of heavy snow removal equipment may damage your brick or the installation. Ice-melting chemical products which do not contain calcium chloride are recommended for use.

The white film, known as efflorescence, is normal for masonry products and it may appear on the surface of the Prest^® Brick. It may not occur at all. Hanover’s LAMININ^® substantially reduces efflorescence. However, under normal conditions, minor efflorescence might become visible. If it does, it is not permanent and will disappear over time. It may appear randomly or only in certain areas. It is a natural occurrence from the cement hydration process. Calcium oxide from the cement reacts with water inside the bricks and forms calcium hydroxide. This seeps to the surface and reacts with the carbon dioxide in the air to form calcium carbonate, a whitish residue. When moisture on the surface evaporates, it becomes visible. It will wash off or wear off over time. If you wish to speed up the natural process, there are cleaners available that are designed to remove efflorescence.

For most garden landscape walls, the maximum height is 3’ when measured from the top of the footing. With proper engineering and construction, walls over 20’ can be built.

Yes. Using Hanover^® Garden Walling is a perfect way to encase and support the gravel you would add to bring the raised areas to the desired height. You can also build stairs or steps into the raised patio.

Hanover^® products are packaged in cubes. A cube is a full pallet and is approximately 3’ x 4’ in size. Cubes are made of straps, which are rows of banded products. Some products are available by the strap; others are available by the cube only.

Hanover^® Pavers manufactured with LAMININ^® have an extremely low water absorption rate which substantially reduces the effects of efflorescence.

The salts are found in either the native soil, the gravel base, or in the sand, stone, or cement used to manufacture the paving stones.

These salts dissolve in either the groundwater, rainwater, or water added to mix the concrete. The salt moves upward with the moisture to the drying surface by capillary action. In the basement walls, this capillary action has been measured to be as much as 600 mm. Because the sun evaporates the moisture at the surface, this capillary wicking action continues to draw moisture from below. The efflorescence continues until either the salt or moisture supply has been exhausted.

These salts dissolve in either the groundwater, rainwater, or water added to mix the concrete. The salt moves upward with the moisture to the drying surface by capillary action. In the basement walls, this capillary action has been measured to be as much as 600 mm. Because the sun evaporates the moisture at the surface, this capillary wicking action continues to draw moisture from below. The efflorescence continues until either the salt or moisture supply has been exhausted.

Efflorescence will wash and wear off in the course of time. The recommended procedure is to allow this natural process to take place. However, if you would like to speed up the process, it can be removed by washing the pavers in a mild cleaning solution. (Cleaning solutions can be purchased from your Hanover® distributor - be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions since the cleaners can be harmful). A small unobtrusive area should be treated first to ensure results are acceptable since the cleaning solution may expose aggregate on the paver’s surface leading to a lessening of the color mass. No responsibility can be accepted by the paving stone manufacturers for efflorescence since any normal concrete contains calcium hydroxide which is inevitable when cement and/or lime and water are mixed together. Calcium hydroxide combines with carbon dioxide in the air to form calcium carbonate which then appears as a whitish deposit, efflorescence.